Common Name: Cow Okra

General Information

Parmentiera aculeata is a small, occasionally rather large, evergreen tree usually growing about 10 metres tall.
The plant is frequently cultivated as shade tree around dwellings in the tropics or for its sweet edible fruits[, ]. It is especially cultivated in Mexico for its many uses[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Central America - Mexico to Honduras.

Habitat

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

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal 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 curved fruit is about 17cm long and 3cm wide[].

Medicinal

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

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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