Camaroncillo
Hirtella triandra

Family: Chrysobalanaceae

What it is like

A medium sized tree. It grows up to 5-12 m tall. The leaves are simple and alternate. They are small and short. The leaves are shiny green above. The new leaves have round black spots. They have stipules in pairs at the base. The flowers are white with long pink stamens. They are in clusters. The fruit is fleshy and has one pointed seed. This has fine grooves.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in shady wet forests including lower mountain regions. In Puerto Rico it grows between 100-650 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Belize, Bolivia, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Hispaniola, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Nicaragua, North America, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, South America, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, Venezuela, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten except for the seed.

The seeds are especially eaten by small children.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

It flowers and fruits throughout the year.

Its other names

Local names

Amongabekamo, Amongagibe, Apacharama, Ashicobiti, Ashaninca, Ayaminiwe, Ayamonemo, Bazaron, Bokotokon, Boyegomonkawe, Caimito cimmarron, Caimito de perro, Camaron, Caramate negro, Carita de negro, Chicarron, Chuchuasa macha, Cocuyo, Conejo, Escobillo prieto, Garrapato, Icaquillo, Marisi balli, Merecurillo, Pasito, Quinulla, Siguapa, Sudor de buey, Teta de burra

Synonyms

Chrysobalanus triandra (Sw.) Morales; Hirtella bracteata Mart. & Zucc.; Hirtella castanea DC.; Hirtella cosmibuena Lam.; Hirtella jamaicensis Urb.; Hirtella multiflora Urb.; Hirtella paniculata Lam. non Sw.; Hirtella peruviana Pers.; Hirtella racemosa Ruiz & Pav. non Lam.; Sphenista peruviana (Pers.) Raf.; Zamzela racemosa Raf.;