Common Name: Jacaratia

General Information

Jacaratia spinosa is a deciduous tree with a narrow, open crown; it can grow 10 - 40 metres tall with a bole 80 - 100cm in diameter[, ]. The tree is armed with short, stout, conical spines[].
The edible fruit is gathered from the wild for local use, whilst the tree also yields a latex with medicinal properties. The bizarre shape of the tree can be used to advantage in ornamental plantings, whilst it is also suitable for use as a pioneer in reforestation projects[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua.

Habitat

Humid forests at low and medium elevations[]. Savannahs, riverbanks and forested areas throughout Brazil[]. Most commonly found growing in the fertile soils of valley bottoms and alluvial plains of primary and secondary rainforests[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	20.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the moist tropics.
Grows best in a sunny position[].
Newly planted young trees usually establish well and grow away quickly, easily reaching a height of 4 - 5 metres within 2 years[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. A fleshy pulp with a sweet, spicy, pleasant flavour[]. The fruit needs to be cooked or, if eaten raw, the skin needs to be scored some time before consumption in order to release a copious latex[, ]. The fruit is about 8cm long and 5cm wide[].

The wood was formerly used for the confection of homemade sweets[]. Not at all sure what this means![].

Medicinal

The fruit is antiinflammatory, strongly anthelmintic and somewhat hydragogue[]. It is used to treat infections of the gut[].

A latex obtained from the tree has medicinal uses[]. The latex obtained from the fruit and bark is strongly proteolytic[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A fast-growing tree, often colonising open spaces, it makes a good pioneer species[].

Other Uses

A latex is obtained from the tree[, ].

The wood is light, soft and of very low natural durability under any condition[]. It has no utility[].

Propagation

Seed - it has a short viability and is best sown as soon as it is ripe[]. Sow in a semi-shaded position in a nursery seedbed. Germination rates are usually high, with the seed sprouting within 10 - 20 days. Prick out the seedlings into individual containers when they are 4 - 5cm tall and they should be ready to plant out 3 - 4 months later[].
Stem cuttings.

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