Ivapovo
Melicoccus lepidopetalus

Family: Sapindaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 10-15 m high. The trunk is 40-60 cm across. It has a dense crown of leaves. The branches are crooked. The leaves are compound with two leaflets opposite. The leaves are oval and 8-10 cm long by 3-4 cm wide. The base is unequal. The leaf stalk is 1.5 cm long. The flowers are white. Male and female flowers are separate. The fruit is fleshy and has a hard stone inside. There is a large seed.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Bolivia it grows up to 600 m altitude. It Argentina it grows up to 500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

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

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten fresh.

It is also cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Ripe fruit are harvested and put into plastic bags to soften to make it easier to remove the seeds. The seeds are washed and planted fresh. They germinate in 15-25 days.

Its other names

Local names

Agua-pomba-macho, Agua-pomba, Ibapobo, Ivapovo, Motoyoe, Papa-mundo, Scaly petal honey berry, Yvapovo

Synonyms

Melicocca lepidopetala Radlk.;