Common Name: Tapia

General Information

Tapia is an evergreen tree growing from 5 - 18 metres tall with a rounded, dense crown and dense foliage[, ]. The bole is usually crooked and more or less cylindrical, it can be 20 - 40cm in diameter[].
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for its edible fruit. All parts of the plant have a garlic-like aroma and, for this reason the fruit is not usually greatly appreciated[, ]. The wood is sometimes used for posts etc, and as a source of pulp]331, ]. The tree is sometimes grown as an ornamental[].

Known Hazards

The roots are acrid, and it is stated that the juice, when in contact with the skin, produces blisters[].

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas; C. America - Panama to Mexico; Caribbean.

Habitat

Low elevations in dry or wet forests, common in grassland and dry areas, and also found in swampy or flooded locations[]. Moist or wet forest or thickets, usually near sea level, but extending to elevations of 1,400 metres in Guatemala[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	12.00 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A tree of lowland tropical areas.
Grows best in a sunny position[]. Often found on heavy clay soils in the wild, the plant can also tolerate some salinity[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[]. A succulent pulp with a sweet flavour[]. The gritty pulp of ripe fruit is edible[]. The globose fruit is 4 to 9 cm in diameter, green, turning yellow when ripe[]. The fruits give off a disagreeable odour after they have fallen from the tree and begin to decompose - this has led to people believing that it is not edible[].

Medicinal

The bark, fruits and leaves are used medicinally[].

The bark is a bitter tonic and febrifuge[]. It is used in poultices to treat whitlow[].

The stembark contains beta-amyrin, lupeol and betulinic acid[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A natural pioneer species within its native range, it is suitable for use in reforestation projects of degraded areas[].
Healthy looking plants are seen as an indication of fertile soils[].
The flowers are a good source of honey for bees[].

Other Uses

The wood ashes are a rich source of potash[].

The heartwood is yellow; the thick band of sapwood is nearly white, sometimes becoming yellowish upon exposure to light. Texture is medium; grain is very fine; it has an odour suggestive of garlic. It is only moderately hard; moderately heavy; not very strong fairly; brittle; not durable. It is very easy to work. A low value wood, it is suitable for minor carpentry, is used in rural construction, for fence posts, boxes, traditional canoes etc[, , , ]. The wood is a source of pulp for making paper[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a sunny position in a nursery seedbed[]. Germination rates are usually below 50%, with the seed sprouting within 2 - 3 weeks[].

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