Guianas moutabea
Moutabea guianensis

Family: Polygalaceae

What it is like

A tree or liana. As a tree it can be 8 m tall and as a climber it can be 35 m long. The flowers are yellowish-white and in groups in the axils of leaves. The flowers have a strong scent. The fruit is round and 4.1 cm long by 4.4 cm wide. It is dark green but ripens to yellow or orange. The pulp is thin and edible. There are 5 seeds. The aril or fleshy layer around the seeds is edible.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in rainforest and savanna.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, South America, Suriname, Venezuela

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit, stems - water

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Apenliaan, Fruto de macaco, Graine tortue, Nerriti, Ojo de venado, Ojo de zamuro

Synonyms

Cryptostomum coriaceum Vahl; Cryptostomum guianense (Vahl) Raeusch.; Cryptostomum laurifolium Willd.;