Bakuri, Guiana orange
Platonia esculenta

Family: Clusiaceae

What it is like

A tall timber tree. It grows 15-25 m tall. The trunk can be 50-80 cm across. It has a bright yellow latex. The leaves are simple and oval. They are 8-14 cm long. The flowers are large. They are 7 cm long. The fruit is yellow. The flesh is creamy white and sweet. The fruit is oval and 7-15 cm long by 5-15 cm wide. The fruit have 1-5 seeds. The seeds are oblong and angular. The aril or fleshy layer around the seeds is white, succulent, sweet and edible.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows naturally in the estuary of the Amazon River. It grows in areas with 1300-3000 mm rain per year. The temperatures are 25-26°C. It needs good soil moisture.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Amazon, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Sao Tome and Principe, South America, Suriname, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten fresh. They are also used for ice cream and milkshakes. They can be used for jams and jellies.

The fruit are popular. It is a cultivated crop.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds, aril

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. The fruit are harvested and the seeds are planted fresh without drying out. Seed will not store more than 30 days. Fresh seed are planted and germinate in 20-40 days. Plants can also be grafted.

Plants grow quickly. A fruit can weigh 1 kg.

Its other names

Local names

Bacuri, Bacury, Geelhart, Ger'ati, Landirana, Makasoe, Matazona, Mongo-mataaki, Pakoeli, Pakuri, Parcouri

Synonyms

Symphonia esculenta Steud.; Aristoclesia esculenta (Arruda) Stuntz; Moronobea esculenta Arruda; Platonia esculenta (Arruda) Oken.;