Jutaicica, Spotted fruit copal
Hymenaea stigonocarpa
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A tree. It grows 6-9 m high. The crown is an irregular shape. The trunk is 30-50 cm across. The leaves are compound and have short leaf stalks. The leaflets are 8-15 cm long. The flowers are in small groups at the ends of branches. The flowers are large and white. The fruit is a hard woody pod 12 cm long. There are 3-6 hard seeds. The pulp is white and has an aroma. It is sweet and edible.
Also as Caesalpinaceae. It is a good source of Vitamin C and folates.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in the savannas and barren lands in Brazil.
Countries/locations it is found in
Amazon, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Paraguay, South America, Venezuela
How it is used for food
The floury pulp of the fruit is eaten fresh or used for porridge, cakes and bread.
It is a popular food.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed. The ripe pods are harvested and allowed to open in the sun. Seed will only store for 4 months. Fresh seed should be planted. They germinate in 15-25 days. Seedlings develop quickly and can be transplanted into the field in 4 months.
Plants grow slowly.
Its other names
Local names
Jatai, Jatiba-do-cerrado, Jatoba-capo, Jatoba-cascudo, Jatoba-de-casca-fina, Jatobero, Jitai, Jutai