Common Name:

General Information

Gustavia speciosa is an evergreen tree with a wide, dense crown; it can grow 12 - 20 metres tall. The cylindrical bole can be 30 - 40cm in diameter[].
The tree is commonly harvested from the wild for its edible fruit, and is also sometimes harvested for its wood. It is cultivated in Colombia as a fruit crop and is also sometimes grown as an ornamental[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Ecuador, Colombia.

Habitat

A subcanopy tree in the Amazon rainforest, in both the dense, primary forest and also in areas of advanced secondary growth; usually in areas subject to seasonal inundation[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in full sun to quite heavy, dappled shade[].
Young plants have a moderate rate of growth[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. The globose, yellow-green fruit is around 8cm in diameter with a fleshy, yellow pulp surrounding 1 - 4 seeds[]. Eating the fruit can cause the body of the eater to turn yellow, and, after it remains 24 or 48 hours nothing can erase the colour[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The wood is medium-textured, straight-grained, moderately heavy, hard to cut, slightly susceptible to the attacks of wood-eating insects. It is used as beams and scantlings in general construction[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed. A germination rate of more than 50% can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 20 - 35 days[].

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