Common Name: Caja Grande

General Information

Caja grande is a semi-deciduous tree with a roundish crown and pendant branches, growing 12 - 18 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be 40 - 60cm in diameter with a slightly corky bark[, ].
The tree is occasionally cultivated, more often harvested from the wild, for its edible fruit, which is consumed locally[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador.

Habitat

Usually found near rivers or on alluvial plains in the rainforest[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	15.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in full sun and in dappled shade[].
The inflorescences contain hermaphrodite flowers as well as separate male and female flowers[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw and made into a juice[, ]. The fruit has a juicy, fibrous, acidic pulp[]. The pulp is sweet, but acid to the taste[]. The fruit is a green/yellow drupe 5cm or more long[, ].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The wood is medium-textured, straight-grained, light in weight, smooth, not very durable when exposed and susceptible to the attacks of white ants[]. It is only used for low value applications such as fillings, toys and light objects[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed or in individual containers. A germination rate of around 80% can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 28 - 42 days[]. When the seedbed-sown seedlings have 4 - 6 true leaves, pot them up into individual containers and they will be ready to plant out when 30 - 40cm tall[].

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