Fruta de parao
Allophylus edulis

Family: Sapindaceae

What it is like

A bushy tree. It can grow 1-15 m tall. The trunk can be 30-50 cm across. The leaves are alternate and have 3 leaflets. The flowers are small and white. The fruit are about the size of a pea. They are red.

There are 190-200 Allophyllus species. Some say there is just one widely variable species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 2,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, South America, Uruguay

How it is used for food

The fruit have a small amount of edible flesh. The fruit have been used to make an alcoholic drink. (Caution: Alcohol is a cause of cancer)

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Chal-chal, Chale-chale, Chanchal, Cochinilla, Coco, Cocu, Cuncum, Koku, Vacum, Waku

Synonyms

Allophylus cambessedei Blume; Allophylus membranifolius Radlk.; Allophylus puberulus (Cambess.) Radlk.; Schmidelia edulis A. St Hil. ; Schmidelia puberula Cambess.;