Cocoplum, Icaco
Chrysobalanus icaco

Family: Chrysobalanaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small evergreen tree. It grows 1-6 m tall. The branches are long, flexible and whip-like. The leaves are evenly spaced and leathery. They are rounded and stiffly erect. They are simple and rich green. The flowers are small and greenish-white. They are in erect clusters in the axils of the leaves. The fruit is smooth and white, yellow, red, black or purple. It has a cotton like pulp. The fruit contains a large nut-like edible seed with 5 ridges.

There are 3 Chrysobalanus species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in the hot tropical lowlands. It grows in sandy coastal locations. The soil needs to be very well drained. It can be used to stabilise dunes. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Amazon, Angola, Antigua, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Brazil (country/location of origin), Cameroon, Caribbean, Cayman Islands, Central Africa, Central America (country/location of origin), China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, French Guiana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, India, Indochina, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Liberia, Marquesas, Martinique, Mexico, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North America, Pacific, Panama, Philippines, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South America, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit are normally used for preserves. They are also candied. They can be eaten raw. They are used for jams and jellies. For preserves the fruit is pierced through including the kernel to allow the syrup to penetrate. The seed kernel is roasted and eaten. (The shell is removed)

The fruit are eaten by children. The fruit are served in restaurants in Cuba. It is a cultivated food plant. They are also bottled.

Edible parts

Fruit, kernel, seeds, oil, nuts

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed, cuttings or by layering. Seed can be collected from ripe fruit that are allowed to rot to make it easier to remove the seed. Seed only store for a short time. Fresh seed should be planted. They germinate in 20-25 days. Seedlings can be transplanted into the field in 6-7 days.

Its other names

Local names

Baraska siuli, Bopace, Caco, Caimito, Cocoaplum, Ebenga, Ebenha, Enhapitche, Fat pork, Hicaco, Icaco, Icacopruim, Ikak, Man du'a, Odora pear, Pe-pe, Pigeon plum, Ponm zikak, Siringuela

Synonyms

Chrysobalanus ellipticus Sol. ex Sabine; Chrysobalanus guianensis Klotzsch [Invalid]; Chrysobalanus interior Small; Chrysobalanus luteus Sabine; Chrysobalanus orbicularis Schumach.; Chrysobalanus pellocarpus G. Mey.; Chrysobalanus purpureus Mill.; Chrysobalanus savannarum Britton; Chrysobalanus stuhlmannii Engl.; Prunus icaco Labat;