Fruta-de-ema
Parinari obtusifolia

Family: Chrysobalanaceae

What it is like

An erect shrub. It grows 0.3-3 m tall. It forms a clump. It loses its leaves during the year. The new branches have a hairy covering. The leaves are leathery and can be smooth or softly hairy on the upper surface and covered with white hairs underneath. The leaves are 5-10 cm long and have very short leaf stalks. These have 2 glands on them. The flowers are in groups in the axils of leaves or at the ends of branches. They have a brown covering and the flowers are white. The fruit are oval and fleshy. The pulp is thick and has a sweet flavour.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows naturally on the central plateau in Brazil in scrubland.

Countries/locations it is found in

Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), South America

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten fresh.

The fruit are not very popular.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Caratinguiba

Synonyms

Ferolia obtusifolia (Hook.f.) Kuntze;