Membrillo
Gustavia superba

Family: Lecythidaceae

What it is like

Evergreen flowering tree.

Gustavia superba is an evergreen Tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 12 m (39ft) at a medium 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 and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 15

Where it is found

Humid woodlands and rainforest, often in swampy soils. Found on gently sloping, sunny hills.

Northern S. America - Colombia north to Costa Rica.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Central America*, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Indonesia, Myanmar, Panama, SE Asia, Singapore, South America*

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

The pulp of the fruit is rich in vitamin A. It is considered a delicacy in Colombia. The orange-coloured globose fruit is up to 9 x 10cm.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 2

Design: Small flowering tree; humid shade garden; accent; large pot/planter; courtyard; conservatory. The heartwood is reddish brown; the thick sapwood nearly white with darker or nearly black streaks. The wood is straight and fine-grained, hard, heavy, strong and tough. It splits and works rather easily; takes an excellent polish. It is used, to a limited extent, for construction.

Houseplant: A plant grown indoors for decorative purposes.

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

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

Staple Crop: Oil: (0-15 percent protein, 16+ percent oil). Some of these are consumed whole while others are exclusively pressed for oil. Annuals include canola, poppyseed, maize, cottonseed, sunflower, peanut. Perennials include high-oil fruits, seeds, and nuts, such as olive, coconut, avocado, oil palm, shea, pecan, and macadamia. Some perennial oil crops are consumed whole as fruits and nuts, while others are exclusively pressed for oil (and some are used fresh and for oil).

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

Staple Crop: Oil: (0-15 percent protein, 16+ percent oil). Some of these are consumed whole while others are exclusively pressed for oil. Annuals include canola, poppyseed, maize, cottonseed, sunflower, peanut. Perennials include high-oil fruits, seeds, and nuts, such as olive, coconut, avocado, oil palm, shea, pecan, and macadamia. Some perennial oil crops are consumed whole as fruits and nuts, while others are exclusively pressed for oil (and some are used fresh and for oil).

Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.

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

How it is grown

A plant for the humid, lowland tropics, where it is mainly found at elevations below 600 metres, though also extends to over 1,000 metres. It is intolerant of temperatures lower than 5°c. Prefers a moist, rich, slightly acid soil in light shade. Can have problems with iron deficiencies.

Propagating it: Seed; Layers

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Sachamango, Paco, Stinkwood, Manteco, Membrillo, Chope, Chupo, Tuba, Heaven lotus.

Synonyms

Gustavia insignis Hook. Pirigara superba Kunth