Imbu, Brazil plum, Umbu, Yellow mombin
Spondias tuberosa

Family: Anacardiaceae

What it is like

A medium sized tree. It grows 4-7 m high. It is low and spreading. It has a short trunk that can be 40-60 cm across. The bark is smooth and grey. The root system has its own water and starch reservoir. The leaves are compound and divided into leaflets along the stalk. There are 3-7 thin leaflets. These are 6-10 cm long. The flowers are in an open panicle at the ends of the branches. They are white and have a smell. The fruit is medium sized and sweet. The fruit are about 2.5-3.5 cm long. They are in clusters of 3-4. The fruit are round and fleshy with a stone inside. The seeds is brown.

Chemical composition (sap expressed from bulbs rendered 50% of the pulp): pH = 6.8. Glucose = 0.66%. Ascorbic acid = 13.2mg%. Thiamine = 30mcg%. Riboflavin: negative. Moisture = 93.3%. Protein = 0.45%. Starch = trace. Minerals = 0.96%. Fiber (crude) = 5.29%. Ash = CaO = 13.5% (0.130% in pulp). Fe2O3 = 0.13% (0.0013% in pulp). It has antioxidant properties.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It suits the hot tropical lowlands. It grows in semi-arid regions in Brazil. It can tolerate drought but loses its leaves.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Central America, Cuba, Honduras, Puerto Rico, South America, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit is used fresh or cooked. The very ripe fruit are eaten. They are used for jams and jellies. It is often made into drinks and especially mixed with milk to make imbuzada. The bulb like roots are eaten cooked.

Fruit are sold in markets. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit, roots, leaves

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed or cuttings. The ripe fruit can be planted whole or the seed removed from the flesh and dried and stored. Seed will only store for a short time. Fresh seed grow easily.

Tree growth is slow. Fruit are normally harvested after they fall to the ground.

Its other names

Local names

Ambu, Cajazinho, Giqui, Imbu, Imbuzeiro, Ombuzeiro, Tapereba, Umbuzeiro

Synonyms

Spondias cirouelia Tess.; Spondias tuberculata L.;