[transl. Pg. palo de vaca.]
1. A South American tree, Brosimum Galactodendron called by Humboldt G. utile), N. O. Artocarpaceæ, abounding in a juice closely resembling the milk of the cow both in appearance and quality, which is obtained by incision into the trunk, and is an important article of food.
1830. Lindley, Nat. Syst. Bot., 95. The famous Cow Tree … of South America, which yields a copious supply of a rich and wholesome milk.
1866. Treas. Bot., 171. The Cow-tree … yields a milk of as good quality as that from the cow.
2. Subsequently applied to other trees yielding a milky juice; e.g., the Cow-tree of Para, Mimusops elata, N. O. Sapotaceæ; of British Guiana, Tabernæmontana utilis.
1863. Bates, Nat. Amazons, ii. (1864), 38. The Massaranduba, or Cow-tree … producing from its bark a copious supply of milk as pleasant to drink as that of the cow.
