Pitomba
Talisia esculenta

Family: Sapindaceae

What it is like

Pitomba (Talisia esculenta), commonly found in South America particularly in Paraguay, Brazil, and Bolivia, is an evergreen or semi-deciduous tree growing up to 14 m in height and up to 40 cm in bole diameter. It is moderately fast growing. It has a dense and rounded canopy with alternate and pinnately compound leaves. The small, white flowers are produced in panicles. The brown to yellow rounded to ellipsoidal fruits, containing one or two large seeds each, are in clusters of 10 to 20. Its edible pulp can be consumed raw. The roots are antidote and can be used against jaundice when combined with annatto fruits (Bixa orellana) and fruit peel of assai (Euterpe spp.). The wood is very heavy and hard. It is used for ceilings, floor boards, door frames, boxes, carpentry, etc.

Talisia esculenta is a deciduous Tree growing to 10 m (32ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 10

Where it is found

Rainforests, on land that does not become inundated. Dense primary forest as well as secondary formations, always in alluvial lowlands, at the bottom of valleys.

S. America - Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Brazil; Bolivia, Plurinational State of; Paraguay, Amazon, Australia, Colombia, Paraguay, South America.

How it is used

Food

Rating: 4

Fruit - raw. A brown-yellow fruit with 1 or 2 large seeds covered in a thin, translucent, sweet and sour flavoured edible pulp. Very tasty. The fruit is about 3cm long and 2.5cm in diameter. The fruit is borne in clusters of 10 - 20 fruits.

Medicine

Rating: 2

The roots are antidote. A decoction, taken internally and also applied topically, is used in the treatment of poisonous animals. Combined with the fruit of annatto (Bixa orellana) and the fruit peel of assai (Euterpe spp.), it is used in the treatment of jaundice.

Antidote: Counters poisoning.

Other

Rating: 2

Other Uses: The heartwood is a light yellowish-brown; it is nor clearly demarcated from the sapwood. The texture is medium; the grain is interlocked; lustre is tenuous, there is no distinctive taste or aroma. The wood is very heavy, hard; it is somewhat durable, especially if kept dry, with some resistance to insect attack but a low resistance to rot. It is used for internal work in buildings, such as ceilings, floor boards and door frames, and also for boxes, carpentry etc.

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 plant of the hot, wet, tropical lowlands. Grows best in a sunny position in a deep, fertile soil. A moderately fast growing plant when young, reaching 2.5 metres when 2 years old.

Propagating it: Seed - the whole fruit can be sown if done so as soon as it is ripe. If being stored for a short while then it is better to extract the seed from the pulp. The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe. Sow in individual containers and keep in light shade - do not allow the compost to become dry. Most seeds germinate in 15 - 30 days. Growth is moderate, taking 6 - 7 months before the plant is ready to be planted into its permanent position.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Fast

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

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Piton, O-noconoma, Olho-de-boi, Pitomba-de-macaco, Pitomba-da-mata, pitombeira.

Synonyms

Sapindus esculenta A.St.-Hil.