Cacao pods growing directly from a tree’s trunk and branches is called cauliflory.
Cacao trees produce clusters of small flowers on older woody stems rather than only at the tips of new branches. Some of those flowers develop into large ridged pods containing the seeds used to make chocolate. This growth habit makes cacao especially recognizable in plantations and botanical illustrations.
Cauliflory is a botanical term for flowering or fruiting directly from a trunk or older branch. It also occurs in several other tropical plants, including jackfruit and some figs.
Cacao pods are harvested by cutting them from the tree with knives or poles. They are not normally pulled off, because damaging the trunk or flower-bearing tissue can reduce future production.