Pouteria caimito
(Ruiz & Pav.) Radlk.
Sapotaceae
Achras caimito Ruiz & Pav.
Achras guapeda Casar.
Caleatia caimito (Ruiz & Pav.) Mart. ex Steud.
Guapeba caimito (Ruiz & Pav.) Pierre
Guapeba lasiocarpa (Mart.) Pierre
Guapeba laurifolia Gomes
Guapebeira brasiliensis Steud.
Guapebeira laurifolia Gomes
Labatia caimito (Ruiz & Pav.) Mart.
Labatia lasiocarpa Mart.
Labatia reticulata Mart.
Lucuma caimito (Ruiz & Pav.) Roem. & Schult.
Lucuma lasiocarpa (Mart.) A.DC.
Lucuma laurifolia (Gomes) A.DC.
Lucuma temare Kunth
Pouteria lasiocarpa (Mart.) Radlk.
Pouteria laurifolia (Gomes) Radlk.
Pouteria leucophaea Baehni
Pouteria temare (Kunth) Aubrév.
Richardella temare (Kunth) Pierre
Common Name: Abiu
General Information
Abiu is an evergreen tree with a dense crown[
420- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 2. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-15-1
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
]. It grows from 6 - 24 metres tall with a straight bole 30 - 50cm in diameter[
416- Title
- Brazilian Fruits and Cultivated Exotics
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.; Bacher. L.; Lacerda. M.; Sartori. S.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora LTDA; Brazil.
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 85-867174-24-0
- Description
- A superb book, giving information on several hundred fruit species. Each entry has a brief description of the plant and its uses, accompanied by one to many excellent quality photographs of the fruits.
,
420- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 2. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-15-1
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
].
The edible fruit is highly valued. It is gathered from the wild for local use and the plant is also widely cultivated, especially in domestic orchards, as a fruit crop[
420- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 2. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-15-1
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
]. It is often found for sale in local markets[
420- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 2. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-15-1
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
Range
S. America - Brazil, Bolivia and Peru, north to the Caribbean and through C. America to Costa Rica.
Habitat
Forests, especially in areas that are seasonally flooded, and by the coast, at elevations from sea level to 1,500 metres[
420- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 2. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-15-1
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
].
Properties
Edibility Rating | |
Other Uses Rating | |
Habit | Evergreen Tree |
Height | 15.00 m |
Self-fertile | Yes |
Cultivation Status | Cultivated, Wild |
Cultivation Details
A tree of the hot, wet, tropical lowlands, it requires a year-round moist and warm climate[
335- Title
- Perennial Edible Fruits of the Tropics : an Inventory
- Publication
-
- Author
- Martin, F. W.; Campbell, C. W.; Rubertbe, R. M.
- Publisher
- U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service
- Year
- 1987
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A booklet giving terse details of almost 300 species of edible fruits, plus regional lists of Botanical and Common names for over 2,500 less well-known edible fruits of the tropics.
,
377- Title
- Trade Winds Fruit
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/index.htm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The on-line catalogue of a company selling seeds. Gives descriptions, photos and uses of a very wide range of fruit and other food-producing plants plus ornamentals.
]. Plants are intolerant of frost[
335- Title
- Perennial Edible Fruits of the Tropics : an Inventory
- Publication
-
- Author
- Martin, F. W.; Campbell, C. W.; Rubertbe, R. M.
- Publisher
- U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service
- Year
- 1987
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A booklet giving terse details of almost 300 species of edible fruits, plus regional lists of Botanical and Common names for over 2,500 less well-known edible fruits of the tropics.
].
Succeeds in full sun and in dappled shade[
420- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 2. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-15-1
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
]. Grows well in wet soils[
377- Title
- Trade Winds Fruit
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/index.htm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The on-line catalogue of a company selling seeds. Gives descriptions, photos and uses of a very wide range of fruit and other food-producing plants plus ornamentals.
]. Prefers an acid soil[
335- Title
- Perennial Edible Fruits of the Tropics : an Inventory
- Publication
-
- Author
- Martin, F. W.; Campbell, C. W.; Rubertbe, R. M.
- Publisher
- U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service
- Year
- 1987
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A booklet giving terse details of almost 300 species of edible fruits, plus regional lists of Botanical and Common names for over 2,500 less well-known edible fruits of the tropics.
].
Seedling trees take up to 8 years before they start to fruit, and some are very shy fruiters[
296- Title
- Tropical Food Gardens
- Publication
-
- Author
- Norrington. L.
- Publisher
- Bloomings Books (Melbourne)
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
- 1-876473-41-x
- Description
- Excellent little book giving some basic information on a range of plants.
]. It is therefore best to propagate vegetatively from good fruiting forms[
296- Title
- Tropical Food Gardens
- Publication
-
- Author
- Norrington. L.
- Publisher
- Bloomings Books (Melbourne)
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
- 1-876473-41-x
- Description
- Excellent little book giving some basic information on a range of plants.
]. Grafted plants can fruit in 3 - 4 years[
335- Title
- Perennial Edible Fruits of the Tropics : an Inventory
- Publication
-
- Author
- Martin, F. W.; Campbell, C. W.; Rubertbe, R. M.
- Publisher
- U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service
- Year
- 1987
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A booklet giving terse details of almost 300 species of edible fruits, plus regional lists of Botanical and Common names for over 2,500 less well-known edible fruits of the tropics.
].
Good forms can fruit twice a year[
296- Title
- Tropical Food Gardens
- Publication
-
- Author
- Norrington. L.
- Publisher
- Bloomings Books (Melbourne)
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
- 1-876473-41-x
- Description
- Excellent little book giving some basic information on a range of plants.
].
Mature trees may produce anywhere from 100 - 1,000 fruits a year[
377- Title
- Trade Winds Fruit
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/index.htm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The on-line catalogue of a company selling seeds. Gives descriptions, photos and uses of a very wide range of fruit and other food-producing plants plus ornamentals.
].
A large tree, it is best kept pruned to about 4 metres tall in order to make fruit harvest easier[
296- Title
- Tropical Food Gardens
- Publication
-
- Author
- Norrington. L.
- Publisher
- Bloomings Books (Melbourne)
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
- 1-876473-41-x
- Description
- Excellent little book giving some basic information on a range of plants.
].
There are some named varieties[
301- Title
- Cornucopia II
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications, California.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-2-5
- Description
- The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
]. The quality of the fruits is much higher in recent selected strains[
].
Some forms are self-fertile, though others need cross-pollination[
335- Title
- Perennial Edible Fruits of the Tropics : an Inventory
- Publication
-
- Author
- Martin, F. W.; Campbell, C. W.; Rubertbe, R. M.
- Publisher
- U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service
- Year
- 1987
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A booklet giving terse details of almost 300 species of edible fruits, plus regional lists of Botanical and Common names for over 2,500 less well-known edible fruits of the tropics.
].
Edible Uses
The fully ripe fruit has a delicious flavour - it is eaten raw or used in sherbets and ice cream[
301- Title
- Cornucopia II
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications, California.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-2-5
- Description
- The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
,
]. It goes particularly well in fruit salads, especially if they contain orange slices to add acidity[
301- Title
- Cornucopia II
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications, California.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-2-5
- Description
- The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
]. A lovely bright yellow fruit with a whitish, translucent flesh that has a jelly-like consistency and a sweetish flavour[
301- Title
- Cornucopia II
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications, California.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-2-5
- Description
- The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
]. The fruit has a flavour somewhat like a rambutan[
296- Title
- Tropical Food Gardens
- Publication
-
- Author
- Norrington. L.
- Publisher
- Bloomings Books (Melbourne)
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
- 1-876473-41-x
- Description
- Excellent little book giving some basic information on a range of plants.
]. It is up to 10cm in diameter[
296- Title
- Tropical Food Gardens
- Publication
-
- Author
- Norrington. L.
- Publisher
- Bloomings Books (Melbourne)
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
- 1-876473-41-x
- Description
- Excellent little book giving some basic information on a range of plants.
]. Fruit that is not fully ripe can contain a milky latex that sticks to the lips[
301- Title
- Cornucopia II
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications, California.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-2-5
- Description
- The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
]. The fruit has a thin skin that bruises easily, so the fruit will not store for more than a few days[
296- Title
- Tropical Food Gardens
- Publication
-
- Author
- Norrington. L.
- Publisher
- Bloomings Books (Melbourne)
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
- 1-876473-41-x
- Description
- Excellent little book giving some basic information on a range of plants.
].
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
The wood is heavy, hard, straight-grained, of medium texture[
420- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 2. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-15-1
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
]. It is moderately resistant to insect attack, and moderately durable[
420- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 2. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-15-1
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
]. It is used for construction and external work[
420- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 2. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-15-1
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
].
Propagation
Seed - remove it from its husk before sowing[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Best sown as soon as it is ripe[
420- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 2. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-15-1
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
]. Sow in a nursery seedbed in semi-shade. When sown fresh, the seed usually germinates in 4 - 6 weeks, with a reasonable percentage germinating[
377- Title
- Trade Winds Fruit
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/index.htm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The on-line catalogue of a company selling seeds. Gives descriptions, photos and uses of a very wide range of fruit and other food-producing plants plus ornamentals.
,
420- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 2. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-15-1
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
].
Side-grafting.
Air-layering may be possible[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
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