Common Name: Cow Okra

General Information

Parmentiera aculeata is a small, occasionally rather large, spiny evergreen tree usually growing around 3.5 - 10 metres tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of fuel. It is frequently cultivated as shade tree around dwellings in the tropics as well as for its sweet edible fruits[, , ]. It is especially cultivated in Mexico for its various uses[].
Parmentiera aculeata has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Central America - El Salvador, Honduras, Guatelala, Belize, north to central Mexico

Habitat

Moist or dry thickets or lowland forest, often along rocky watercourses, disturbed areas along roads; chiefly at elevations around 1,200 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	10.00 m
Pollinators	Bats
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of lowland to moderate elevations in the tropics, growing in areas with medium to high rainfall[].
Prefers a well-drained soil in a sunny position[].
Plants do not flower until they are quite large[]. Seedling trees can commence fruiting when 3 - 5 years old[].
Plants can flower all year round[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked or preserved[, , ]. The yellow, banana-shaped fruits are quite sweet[]. A fleshy, very fibrous pulp with a sweet flavour[]. The flavour is said to resemble sugar cane[]. The fruit is often fried or otherwise cooked before being eaten, and it is often stuffed with savoury items[]. The fruit is often not highly esteemed, except when grown in very dry regions where there is often a shortage of fruits and other food[]. The curved fruit is around 11 - 17cm long and 2 - 3cm wide[, ].

Medicinal

All parts of the plant are used medicinally - the roots, branches, leaves, bark, flowers and fruits[].

The plant (this probably refers to the fruits[]) is considered a good remedy for colds[].

The fruit is reputed to have diuretic properties, and is eaten to relieve pain in the kidneys[].

The roots are used as a diuretic, especially in the treatment of dropsy[]. An infusion is used in the treatment of diabetes[].

The juice of the leaves was formerly, at least, dropped into the ears as a cure for deafness[]

Other Uses

The wood is used for fuel.

Propagation

Seed -

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