Cajui
Anacardium othonianum
Family: Anacardiaceae
What it is like
A tree. It grows 2-6 m tall. The bark is dark and cracked. The young leaves are red. The leaves are smooth and broadly oval and 15 cm long by 10 cm wide. The flowers are pink and in groups about 20 cm wide. The fruit is pear shaped and is actually the fattened flower stalk. These are 2-4 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. They can be yellow to red.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in the savannah.
Countries/locations it is found in
Brazil, South America
How it is used for food
The 'fruit' are used eaten raw and used for juice and jams. It is also used to produce yoghurt. Caution: The skin can irritate the skin. The nut is toasted and eaten.
The fruit and nut are enjoyed. It is cultivated in Brazil.
Edible parts
Fruit stalk, caution, nut
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed.
A 'fruit' weighs 5-12 g.
Its other names
Local names
Caju-de-arvore-do-cerrado, Caju-vermelho-dgoias