Imbu, Umbú, Brazil Plum
Spondias tuberosa
Family: Anacardiaceae
What it is like
Spondias tuberosa, also known as Imbu or Brazil Plum, is a slow-growing tree native to northeast Brazil. It has a low, flat top, wide and highly dense crown and it reaches a height of about 6 m upon maturity. The bark is smooth and gray. The leaves are compound, with each leaf comprising 3-7 thin leaflets. The flowers are white, fragrant and located at the ends of branches. The fruits are round, light yellow to red, and covered with leathery shell. The flesh is succulent, with a pleasant subacid flavor. It is edible, usually eaten raw or cooked. The wood is used for internal work, crates, boxes and paper pulp. The plant has no medicinal uses. Plants are grown from seed or cuttings.
Spondias tuberosa is a deciduous Tree growing to 6 m (19ft) by 8 m (26ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Bees. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Height (m): 6
Where it is found
Semi-arid scrublands.
S. America - north-eastern Brazil.
Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed
Countries/locations it is found in
Brazil, Australia, Puerto Rico, South America,
How it is used
Food
Rating: 4
Fruit - raw or cooked. The greenish-yellow, thick-skinned fruit has a soft, melting, almost liquid flesh with a pleasant subacid flavour suggestive of a sweet orange. It is also made into ice creams, jams, jellies and drinks. A custard-like dessert called imbuzada is made in northern Brazil by adding the fruit juice to boiled sweet milk. The yellow-green, globose fruit is about 4cm in diameter, containing a single, large seed.
Drink: not including plant saps, tea or coffee substitutes.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 2
Other Uses The wood is light in weight, soft, easy to work and of low natural durability. It is used for internal work, crates, boxes and to supply pulp for making paper.
Containers: Plants, such as gourds, that can be used as containers. Does not include baskets or containers made from wood.
Paper: Related to the entry for Fibre, these plants have been specifically mentioned for paper making.
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 plant of the 'Caatinga' dry forest region of northeast Brazil. The climate is hot and dry, there are usually 6 to 11 months without rain each year. The mean annual rainfall varies from 250 - 1,000mm, and the mean annual temperature is from 24 - 26°c. The plant grows best in the subhumid and frost-free tropics. Grows well in areas with a prolonged dry period. Requires a sunny position. Plants are not too fussy over soil, not needing very fertile conditions. However, very poor soil, or shallow land, is unsuitable. Established plants are very tolerant of dry conditions, able to withstand extended periods of drought. The plant can store starch and water in special storage organs in the roots, known as 'tuberous aquifers'. This makes it able to withstand very long periods of drought. A pH in the range 6 - 7 is ideal. A slow growing tree. Flowering Time: Late Winter/Early Spring. Spacing: White/Near White.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a sunny position in individual containers. Germination is usually fast and abundant. Quite large cuttings.
Best place to grow:
Habit: Tree
Hardiness: 10-12
Growth: Slow
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist
Things to keep in mind
Its other names
Local names
Ambu, Umbuzeiro, Ombuzeiro, Ambu, Giqui, Imbuzeiro, Tapereba, imbu, imbuzeiro, umbu, umbuzeiro.