Caimitillo, Abiu, Guyana micropholis
Micropholis guyanensis

Family: Sapotaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows up to 35 m high. The trunk can be 1 m across. It can have buttresses. The leaves are less than 15 cm long. They are 2-4 times as long as broad. Leaf shape and size vary considerably. The leaf stalk is less than 2 cm long. The flowers are cream coloured or greenish. The fruit is 12-25 mm long and 15-20 mm wide. The fruit ripens purplish-black. The fruit is edible. There is a single large seed 1-2 cm long.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in lowland forest. It grows between 400-1,200 m altitude. It grows in rainforest and savannah forest.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Bolivia, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Leeward Island, Lesser Antilles, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, South America (country/location of origin), Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, West Indies, Winward Islands

How it is used for food

The pulp of the fruit is eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Abiu mangabarana, Aca cipo, Awa-pau, Baakbauba, Bacouman, Balata, Balata blanc, Balata brava, Balata gomosa, Bouchiapa, Lo-oedoe, Mamanten, Moraballi, Leche prieta, Pe'sutoa, Riemhout, Toro quirihua, Wetibakoeman

Synonyms

Chrysophyllum melinonii Engler; Micropholis chrysophylloides Pierre; Micropholis cruegeriana Pierre; Micropholis cyrtobotrya (Martius ex Miquel) B. ; Micropholis portoricensis Pierre; Micropholis portoricensis var. curvata Pierre; Micropholis porticorensis var. mesuifolia Pierre; Sideroxylon guyanense A. de Candolle; Sideroxylon rufum Martius & Eichler; Sideroxylon cyrtobotryum Martius ex Miquel; Sprucella cyrtobotrya (Martius ex Miquel) Pierre; and others