Bakuri, Bacuri
Platonia insignis

Family: Clusiaceae

What it is like

A large tree. It grows 25-40 m tall. The trunk can be 1.5 m across. The trunk is straight. The branches are opposite and form a V shape. The leaves are opposite and shiny. The flowers are large and have pink petals. The fruit are 10-12 cm across. They have a thick rind. They are yellow to brown on the outside and have white flesh. The fruit is tart but sweet and edible. There are normally 2 seeds. Some fruit can have thin skins and some have no seeds.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in evergreen lowland forest. It suits hot humid conditions. In the Amazon it grows between 50-200 m altitude. It can grow in a range of soils including poorly drained soils. It needs moist soils. It can grow in poor soil and is best in sunny locations.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Paraguay, South America, Suriname, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The aril or fleshy layer around the seeds is eaten fresh and used in desserts. It is also used in juices, yoghurt, jams and cakes, and ice creams. The skin of rind can be cooked and made into marmalade. They can also be used for juice.

It is a popular fruit and eagerly sought after in markets.

Edible parts

Fruit, fruit skin, seeds

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seeds. Seeds take 2 years to start to grow. Plants can be grown from root suckers near seeds, Plants can re-sprout from cut trees and also grow again after fire. A spacing of 4-8 m is suitable. Trees fruit better is a range of trees from different seed sources are grown together.

Trees from suckers or new shoots can produce fruit in 10 years. In Brazil plants flower in June-July. Fruit mature in 200-300 days. A tree can produce 2,000 fruit in a year. Fruiting is not regular each year.

Its other names

Local names

Bacupari, Bacuri, Bacuri assu, Bacuri do para, Bacury, Geelhart, Goherica, Ko, Maniballi, Packoeri, Pacuri, Pakoeri, Pakouri, Pakuri, Parcouri, Pacoury-uva

Synonyms

There is debate over this name. It may be a synonym of P. esculenta. Aristoclesia esculenta Stuntz;