Amazon Grape
Pourouma cecropiifolia

Family: Urticaceae

What it is like

Pourouma cecropiifolia is an evergreen Tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 7 m (23ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 15

Where it is found

Rainforests, in areas that do not usually become inundated.

S. America - Western Amazon in Brazil, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Bolivia, Plurinational State of; Ecuador; Peru; Colombia; Honduras; Brazil; Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of, Amazon, Asia, Australia, Pacific, Peru*, Philippines, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, South America.

How it is used

Food

Rating: 4

Fruit - raw or cooked. The purple, grape-like fruits are up to 4cm in diameter, with a large seed and a sweet, juicy, white pulp that has the flavour of a grape. They can be made into wine, jams and jellies. The fruits are produced in clusters.

Drink: not including plant saps, tea or coffee substitutes.

Medicine

Rating: 2

The warmed bark is used as a poultice for treating hard boils.

Poultice: A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.

Other

Rating: 2

Other Uses: The wood is light, soft and easy to work. It has a thick texture, poor mechanical properties and is not very durable. It is used for linings, boxes, toys and plywood. It is also pulped for cellulose.

Containers: Plants, such as gourds, that can be used as containers. Does not include baskets or containers made from wood.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

A tree of the hot, humid, tropical lowlands, where it is found at elevations up to 1,000 metres. It is not tolerant of frost. Succeeds in full sun or dappled shade. Found in the wild on fertile, clayey soils. A relatively fast-growing plant, it can commence fruiting when three years old. A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seeds are required.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a seedbed in a sunny position. Less than 50% of the seeds usually germinate, normally within 3 - 5 weeks.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Fast

Soil: Medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Washi shuinia, Mapati, Caimaron, Curcura, Peruma, Uva, Uvula,

Synonyms

Pourouma edulis Dufr. Pourouma multifida Tr?cul Pourouma sapida P.Karst. Pourouma uvifera Rusby