Bunchosia, Green plum, Peanut-butter plant
Bunchosia armeniaca

Family: Malpighiaceae

What it is like

An evergreen shrub or tree. It grows 4-10 m high. The leaves are thick and not very wavy. They are 22.5 cm long by 10 cm wide. The flowers are in compact erect racemes. The petals have fringed edges. The fruit are broadly oval. They are 2.5 cm across and dark red. The thin skin is covered with white down. The fruit pulp is dark red and sweet. There are 2 large seeds.

There are 68 Bunchosia species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is native to South America. It grows naturally in Andes countries between 1500-2400 m altitude. It grows in lowland humid and dry forests. It can tolerate flooding for brief periods. It suits hardiness zones 9-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Andes, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Hawaii, Pacific, Peru (country/location of origin), SE Asia, Singapore, South America, USA, Venezuela, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit has a sticky sweet pulp. It has a taste a little like peanut-butter. The fruit are eaten fresh or used in preserves. They are chewy.

It is a cultivated fruit tree.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Plants produce fruit 2 years after planting. There are several crops of fruit per year.

Its other names

Local names

Bunchoise des Andes, Caferana, Cansaboca, Cereja, Cerezo, Chico Mamey, Ciruela de fraile, Ciruela silvestre, Ciruela verde, Ciruelo, Indano

Synonyms

Malpighia armeniaca Cav.; Byrsonima nitida Ruiz. & Pav. ex G. Don; Bunchosia pilocarpa Rusby; Bunchosia angustifolia A. Juss.;