Hog-plum, Mombin, Spanish-plum
Spondias venulosa

Family: Anacardiaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 12-18 m high. The crown is rounded. The trunk is 40-60 cm across. The bark is light coloured and slightly rough. The leaves are compound. They are 20-50 cm long. There are 7-31 leaflets along the stalk. They are 5-14 cm long by 2-6 cm wide. The flowers are in groups at the end of the stalk. They are 15-40 cm long. The flowers can be separately male or female or both sexes. The fruit are oval and rough.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. They grow in the forests near the Atlantic in Brazil. It grows in Miombo woodland in Africa.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Colombia, East Africa, Ecuador, Peru, South America, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit can be eaten. Because they are acid they are used for juice.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. The ripe fruit are harvested and put in a plastic bag to allow the pulp to rot. The seeds are removed and planted. They are washed in running water then dired in the shade. The fresh seed are planted and germinate in 4-6 weeks. They are transplanted into the field when 30-40 cm high.

Its other names

Local names

Acaipo-iba, Caja-grande, Caja-graudo, Caja-mirim, Cajarana, Cajazeira, Cuchi

Synonyms

Spondias purpurea var. venulosa Engl.;