Aguaricara
Campomanesia guazumifolia

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 6-10 m high. The crown is open. The trunk is crooked and has grooves. It is 20-30 cm across. The bark is corky and peels off. The leaves are simple. There are hairs underneath. The leaves are 7-15 cm long by 3-6 cm wide. The flowers are large and white. The fruit are a flattened round shape. They are yellow and 2-3 cm across. The flesh is juicy and there and many soft seeds.

There are at least 11 Campomanesia species. The fruit is high in Vitamin C.

Where it is found

A subtropical plant. In Argentina it grows between 100-1,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Brazil (country/location of origin), Cuba, Paraguay, South America, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. They are also used for jams, jellies and fruit dishes.

It is occasionally cultivated as a fruit.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. The seed are removed from the ripe seed by washing. They can only be stored for a short time. Fresh seed are planted. They germinate in 15-30 days. Seedlings are transplanted after 9-10 months.

Plants grow slowly in the field.

Its other names

Local names

Araca-do-mato, Aracazeiro-grande, Capote, Capoteira, Gabiroba, Goiabinha, Guabirona, Ibira-piroca, Marmelero, Pessego-do-mato, Sete-capas, Sete-tapas, Sete-capote, Sete-casacas, Sietecapote, Sietecapotes

Synonyms

Abbevillea rugosa O. Berg.; Britoa sellowiana O. Berg; Britoa guazumaefolia (Cambess.) Legrand; Campomanesia itanarensis Kiaersk.; Lascerdia luschnathiana O. Berg.; Psidium guazumifolia var. grisea Cambess.;