Common Name: Pequi

General Information

Pequi is a semideciduous shrub or small tree with a rounded, spreading crown growing 6 - 10 metres tall. It has a crooked bole that can be 30 - 40cm in diameter and a deep taproot[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its edible fruit and oil, which are much appreciated by the local people. The fruits and seeds are often sold in local markets[]. The tree is also sometimes grown as an ornamental[].
The tree is currently being over-exploited due to an increase in restaurants serving regional food and small-scale oil production industries[].

Known Hazards

The seed has a large number of small spines which can injure the mucous membranes of the mouth[].

Botanical References

Range

S. America - northern Argentina, southern, eastern, central and northern Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia.

Habitat

Forms pure groves in the plateaux and valleys of the savannah, elsewhere it is usually found as scattered individuals[]. Found in both primary and secondary formations[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	10.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the drier tropics and subtropics, it grows naturally in areas with an annual rainfall of 1,000 - 1,500 mm and a dry season of 3 - 5 months, with a relative humidity as low as 13%[].
Requires a sunny position[]. Adapted to nutrient poor, heavy clays, especially iron and aluminium rich soils[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[, ].
Large trees may yield up 2,000 fruits[].
A fairly slow-growing tree, reaching a height of up to 1.5 metres when two years old[].
The tree has potential as an oil crop for the drier regions of the world, being well-adapted to nutrient poor soils and long dry seasons[].

Edible Uses

The oily, mucilaginous fruit is nutritious[]. A strongly scented, fleshy pulp[, ]. It has a sweet flavour, but is an acquired taste and is mainly used as a flavouring or as a famine food[]. The fruit, including the seed, is cooked with rice[]. A kind of butter and suet are extracted from the fruit[].

The kernel is rarely eaten because of endocarp spines[]. The seed has a large number of small spines which can injure the mucous membranes of the mouth[].

The seeds are the source of an edible oil that is mainly used for flavouring[]. The high melting point of the oil may give it potential as a cocoa butter substitute[]

Medicinal

The flowers, fruits and seeds are used in local medicine[].

The bark is diuretic and febrifuge[].

The fruits are used in the treatment of the common cold and bronchitis[].

The seed oil, combined with honey, is used in the treatment of the common cold and bronchitis[].

The leaves contain triterpenes, sterols and ellagic acid[].

Other Uses

The oil from the seed is used in the cosmetic industry and locally for making soap, as an illuminant and lubricant[].

The leaves, bark and fruit pulp are a source of tannin[].

The wood is moderately heavy, soft, of good natural durability. It is used for engraving, construction, wooden machinery parts, furniture, fences etc[, ].
The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal[].

Propagation

Seeds - they contain a germination inhibitor and can take one year to germinate;[, ]. Stratification of the endocarp with mesocarp removed is recommended[]. Alternatively, immerse the seeds in warm water for 48 hours, changing the water every 12 hours[]. Sow the seed in individual containers in a sunny or lightly shaded position. Pre-soaked seed can sprout within 30 - 50 days with a moderate germination rate[]. Seedlings can be planted out when 25 cm tall[].
Good results can be obtained from grafting and marcottage[].

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Captcha: if i have 3 bananas, and i eat them all, how many bananas did i just eat?