Abiu, Caimito
Pouteria caimito

Family: Sapotaceae

What it is like

A medium sized tree. It grows 10-15 m high but can be 40 m high. The trunk is 30 cm across. The tree branches at about 1 m high. The leaves are simple and alternate. The flowers occur singly or in small groups. They are usually on leafless twigs. The fruit is medium to large and is oval with a smooth skin. It is yellow and sweet. It is usually 5-10 cm across. It has a sweet translucent pulp. Unripe fruit contain a gummy latex. There are several named cultivated varieties. There are 1-4 seeds. These are brown and shiny.

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

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It suits the hot, wet tropical lowlands. It needs a warm climate and year round moisture. It is a tropical plant, but will grow in subtropical places. It enjoys wet soil. It grows naturally in the Amazon and Andes. It grows to 1200 m in the Andes. It cannot tolerate frost. It suits hardiness zones 10-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Andes, Asia, Australia, Bolivia (country/location of origin), Brazil (country/location of origin), Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador (country/location of origin), French Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Hawaii, Malaysia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Pacific, Panama, Peru (country/location of origin), SE Asia, South America, Suriname, Trinidad, USA, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit is eaten raw. They are also used for desserts. Occasionally they are used in ice-cream.

It is a cultivated food plant. Fruit are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Fruit, kernel, nuts

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed germinate easily. Seedling trees vary in quality. Grafting and air-layering can also be used. Fresh seed are planted and germinate in 4-6 weeks. Some trees are self fertile and others need cross pollinating.

Trees will produce fruit after 7-10 years from seeds and after 3 years from grafts. Mature trees can produce 100-1000 fruit per year. Fruit mature in about 180 days.

Its other names

Local names

Aakuna, Abiero, Aguaycillo, Asepokoballi, Aviyu, Caimitillo, Caimito, Caimo, Cauje, Caymito, Coloradillo de la bajura, Ingi-oedoe, Luma, Pasu, Pepeboiti, Putumayu aviyu, Sijica, Tarpu aviyu, Temare, Yaas, Yellow star apple

Synonyms

Achras caimito Ruiz & Pav.; Achras guapeba Casar; Guapeba laurifolia Gomes; Guapeba caimito (R.& P.) Pierre; Labatia caimito (R.&.P.) C.Martius; Labatia reticulata Mart.; Labatia lasiocarpa Mart.; Lucuma caimito (Ruiz & Pav.) Roem. & Schult.; Lucuma laurifolia (Gomes) DC.; Lucuma laurifolia var. reticulata (Mart.) DC.; Lucuma lasiocarpa (Mart.) DC; Lucuma ternata Kunth.; Pouteria laurifolia (Gomes) Radlk.; Pouteria lasiocarpa (Mart.) Radlk.; Pouteria leucophaea Baehni; Pouteria caimito var. laurifolia (Gomes) Baehni; Pouteria temare (Kunth.) Aubr.; Richardella temare (Kunth.) Pierre;