Common Name: Imbu

General Information

Imbu is a deciduous tree with a low, flat-topped, profusely branched, wide and very dense crown. It usually grows around 6 metres tall with a very short bole 40 - 60cm in diameter[, , ].
The edible fruit is greatly relished. It is commonly gathered from the wild, and the tree is occasionally cultivated in the tropics, especially the Americas, for its edible fruit[, ]. The fruit is widely cultivated in north-eastern Brazil and sold in the street markets throughout the country[, ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - north-eastern Brazil.

Habitat

Semi-arid scrublands[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	6.00 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the 'Caatinga' dry forest region of northeast Brazil. The climate is hot and dry, there are usually 6 to 11 months without rain each year. The mean annual rainfall varies from 250 - 1,000mm, and the mean annual temperature is from 24 - 26°c. The plant grows best in the subhumid and frost-free tropics[]. Grows well in areas with a prolonged dry period[].
Requires a sunny position[]. Plants are not too fussy over soil, not needing very fertile conditions[]. However, very poor soil, or shallow land, is unsuitable[]. Established plants are very tolerant of dry conditions, able to withstand extended periods of drought[, ]. The plant can store starch and water in special storage organs in the roots, known as 'tuberous aquifers'. This makes it able to withstand very long periods of drought[]. A pH in the range 6 - 7 is ideal[].
A slow growing tree[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, ]. The greenish-yellow, thick-skinned fruit has a soft, melting, almost liquid flesh with a pleasant subacid flavour suggestive of a sweet orange[]. It is also made into ice creams, jams, jellies and drinks[]. A custard-like dessert called imbuzada is made in northern Brazil by adding the fruit juice to boiled sweet milk[]. The yellow-green, globose fruit is about 4cm in diameter, containing a single, large seed[, ].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The wood is light in weight, soft, easy to work and of low natural durability. It is used for internal work, crates, boxes and to supply pulp for making paper[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a sunny position in individual containers. Germination is usually fast and abundant[].
Quite large cuttings[].

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