Common Name: Madrono

General Information

Alibertia edulis is a dioecious, semi-deciduous shrub or small tree with an irregular, sparse crown; it can grow 1 - 6 metres tall[, , ]. The bole is usually crooked and 15 - 25cm in diameter[].
The edible fruit is appreciated locally and is often gathered from the wild[]. The tree also has local medicinal uses and is a source of wood. It is sometimes cultivated for its edible fruits in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Brazil (Amazonian area)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Bolivia, Peru and Brazil, north through Central America to Mexico and the Caribbean.

Habitat

Forests, usually in areas that do not become inundated[]. A characteristic plant of savannahs and open woodland, especially in low, secondary formations[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Shrub
Height	4.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of hot, tropical lowlands[].
Requires a sunny position[]. Succeeds in poor soils[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
Newly planted seedlings usually establish well and grow away rapidly[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if seed is required[, ].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw, in beverages, or used to make jellies and sweets[, ]. A fleshy pulp with a sweet flavour[, ]. The ovoid fruit is 15 - 30mm in diameter[]. The fruit can be 70mm or more in diameter[]. Individual fruits weigh up to 40g[].

Medicinal

The leaves are added to baths in order to reduce hernias[].

The fruit is cut into quarters, boiled in 1 litre of water and the liquid drunk as a treatment for digestive complaints[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The tree is known to invade farmland and grows rapidly even in open areas; it is recommended as a pioneer species for mixed reforestation[].

Other Uses

The wood is moderately heavy, coarse-textured, irregular-grained, hard to cut and with a low resistance to rot[]. It is generally too small to be of much use as a timber, but is used as a fuel and to make charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed[]. Only just cover the seed. A germination rate of around 60% can be expected within 50 - 60 days[].

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