Common Name: Mess Apple

General Information

Mess apple is a small, evergreen tree with a dense, rounded crown; usually growing 5 - 12 metres tall, but up to 20 metres when in primary forest. The tree has a twisted bole that branches from fairly low down and can be 30 - 40cm in diameter[, , ].
The tree produces an edible fruit that is gathered from the wild for local use, though it is not always appreciated[, ]. It is also used locally for medicines and as a source of wood. The tree is sometimes cultivated for its fruit and, with its pleasant-smelling flowers, is considered fairly ornamental. It is grown to provide shade and is used in landscaping projects, though its copious crop of fruits falling on the ground can be a detraction from this use[, ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

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

Habitat

Wet mixed forests at elevations of 400 metres or less[]. Widely distributed throughout the Amazonian region, but most commonly found in secondary formations in moist to wet soils that are not subject to inundation[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	8.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in full sun or dappled shade[].
The tree regularly produces large crops of fruit[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[]. A thin-skinned fruit with a dense, succulent pulp that has a slightly acidic, pleasant flavour[]. The pulp contains many small seeds, but these can be swallowed with ease[]. The fruit might be edible[]. The fruit is up to 4cm in diameter[].

Medicinal

The leaves are used in the treatment of leucorrhoea[].
The leaves are used in an emollient decoction, combined with the leaves of Capsicum frutescens and Omphalea diandra, to soothe furuncles and to prevent their return[].

The fruits are anthelmintic. They are used to expel intestinal worms[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A natural pioneer species within its native range, where it can supply large quantities of fruit for the native fauna[].

Other Uses

The bark is a source of tannins[].

The wood is medium-textured, straight-grained, moderately heavy but not durable[]. It can be used for making low value items such as pencils, boxes, toys and toothpicks[].
The wood is used for fuel and making charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed - due to its small size, it is best to place the fruits in plastic bags until the pulp has partially decomposed then mix them with water to make a suspension. Water the soil in a nursery seedbed with this suspension and do not cover the seed, but make sure the soil does not dry out[]. A moderate rate of germination can be expected, with the seeds sprouting within a few days[]. Pot up the seedlings into individual containers when they are 4 - 5cm tall and plant out into their permanent positions when they are 20 - 30cm tall[].

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