Abio, Glomerate pouteria
Pouteria glomerata

Family: Sapotaceae

What it is like

A medium sized tree. It grows 20 m tall. The trunk can be slightly fluted. The leaves are simple and alternate. The leaves are clustered at the ends of branches and arranged in spirals. They are 6-20 cm long by 3-6 cm wide. The leaves are widest above the middle. The leaves are silvery underneath. The flowers are small and in clusters on the branches below the leaves. There are 2-10 in a group. The fruit are round with a short sharp point. They are 3-9 cm long. The fruit turn yellow when ripe. There can be one or several seeds.

There are about 150-320 Pouteria species. They grow in the tropics.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in wet forests. It is often along river banks and in flooded land. It grows from sea level to 1,300 m above sea level. It is native to Mexico and El Salvador. It can grow on limestone soils.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Argentina, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, North America, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, South America (country/location of origin), USA, Venezuela, Yucatan

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten fresh. Some kinds are sweet and eaten raw. They can cause constipation if eaten in large amounts.

The fruit is popular.

Edible parts

Seeds, fruit, nuts

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Abiurana, Caimito, Chocho, Cinnamon apple, Laranjinha-de-pacu, Macondje, Mameicillo, Marmelada, Moranguinha, Nisperillo, Pan de Vida, Parada, Thokob

Synonyms

Abatia glomerata (Miq.) Radlk.; Guapeba glomerata (Miq.) Pierre; Labatia glomerata Pohl ex Miq.; Lucuma glomerata Miquel; Neolabatia glomerata (Miq.) Aubrev.; Pouteria glomerata var. glabrescens Huber; Pouteria glomerata subsp. glomerata; Pouteria hypoglauca (Standl.) Baehni; Richardella glomerata (Miq.) Baehni; and others