Avalo, Cagalera, Caimito
Sideroxylon obtusifolium subsp. buxifolium

Family: Sapotaceae

What it is like

A spiny shrub or small tree. It grows 10 m high. The bark is grey and cracked. The leaves are opposite. They do not develop in tufts in older trees. The leaves are round of fattened and oval. They are usually 1.2-2 times as long as broad. The flowers occur as many together in dense clusters. They are cream coloured or greenish-white. They have a strong smell. The fruit become purple or black at maturity. The fruit are edible.

Sideroxylon buxifolium in Somalia as "Shooy'

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is a plant of the coastal dunes and arid zones up to 1100 m altitude. It is often in tropical deciduous forest.

Countries/locations it is found in

Belize, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicagarua, North America, South America, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Cruseta, Hastoch, Naranjo, Pasito, Picurero, Picuyu, Sangre de toro, Uva negra, Xhas toch

Synonyms

Bumelia buxifolia Roemer & Schultes; Bumelia dunantii A DC; Bumelia cruegerii Grisebach; Bumelia obtusifolia var. buxifolia (Roem. & Scholtes) Miquel; Lyciodes buxifolia (Roem. & Schultes)Kuntze; Lyciodes dunantii (A.DC.)Kuntze; Bumelia nicaraguensis Loesener; Bumelia conglobata Standley; Bumelia mayana Standley; Bumelia obtusifolia (Roem. & Schultes)Cronquist;