Borojo
Alibertia patinoi

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A small tree or shrub. It is 3-5 m tall. The male and female flowers are on separate plants. The male flowers are in a white cluster. The female flowers occur singly at the tip of the plant. The fruit are round with dark brown pulp and many small seeds. There can be 90 to 600 small seeds. The fruit are round and 7-12 cm long and wide. They are edible. The fruit are ripe when they fall to the ground.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in the warm tropical lowlands. It grows in areas with a rainfall of 4,000 mm per year. The temperature is 28°C and the humidity 85%. It can grow to 1,200 m altitude. It usually grows in the shade of other trees. It needs a rainfall of over 4,000 mm.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Central America, Colombia (country/location of origin), Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nauru, Panama, South America

How it is used for food

The fruit is eaten fresh. They are also used for juice. They can be used in jellies, preserves, sauces, ice cream and sherberts.

It is sold in local markets and is popular. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seeds. They germinate in 30-60 days. Plants need to be 3.5 m apart.

Its other names

Local names

Achugarban, Achu gar banwala, Achu garbam wala, Borojo, Borojo hembra, Borojo macho, Borojo yura, Patino borojoa, Madrono, Uwekawe, Wala

Synonyms

Boroja patinoi Cuatrec;