Carpotroche platyptera

Family: Achariaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 1-8 m tall. The leaves are narrowly oval. The flowers grow on the trunk. Male and female flowers are separate. Male flowers are in groups and female flowers occur singly. The fruit are orange to red and have angles like a carambola. They fruit are 6 cm long and 4-5 cm wide.

There are about 30 Carpotroche species. They are also put in the family Kiggelariaceae and Euphorbiacece. Also put in the Flacourtiaceae family.

Where it is found

A tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Central America, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, South America

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. The seeds are put in warm water before planting. They germinate in 4-8 weeks.

Its other names

Local names

Vehica

Synonyms

Carpotroche crassiramea Pittier; Carpotroche glaucescens Pittier;