The Leaves
When cacao leaves fall, they mix with the leaves of other plants and decay on the forest floor. Fungi and other organisms decompose this debris, replenishing essential nutrients in the soil and fertilizing the tree.

In addition, the decaying leaves also provide the perfect breeding ground for midges, the little insects that pollinate cacao flowers.

The Flowers
Cacao trees flower continuously once they reach maturity. The delicate, waxy pink or white five-petaled blossoms are found in small clusters on the trunks and lower branches of the tree. This phenomenon is called cauliflory, and is quite different from other trees that produce their flowers and fruit only on the tips of the smallest branches.

Because these flowers are so tiny, only small, gnat-like midges can work their way through a cacao blossom’s complicated parts.

The Roots
Cacao roots soak up rainfall and nutrients from the soil and leaf litter. Stretching across the thin forest floor, these roots also anchor the cacao tree and help prevent soil erosion.

Cacao’s root system is shallow, however, and relies heavily on the decaying cover of leaf litter to remain healthy. Most of the nutrients in rainforest soils can be found in the topmost layer of decaying vegetation.