The cacao, or cocoa, plant grows in tropical areas. It grows up to 26 ft tall and is an evergreen. It grows better in shade and requires frequent rainfall and fertile soil. The flowers grow on the trunk and produce cacao pods. Inside are cacao beans that can be used to make chocolate. The name of the plant means food of Gods. The Mayans ate the cacao beans and traded them. Their language also helped name the plant itself.