Limao-do-mato, Limoeiro-do-mato
Randia ferox

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows 3-7 m high. Plants are separately male and female. The crown is dense and the branches are dark. There are 2-4 woody spines at each node. The trunk is crooked and 20-30 cm across. The bark is rough and grey. The leaves are oval and they taper to the base and the tip. They are papery and 6-22 cm long by 2-10 cm wide. The male flowers are in groups of 3-8. Female flowers occur singly. The fruit is a smooth berry with several seeds. The pulp is sweet and edible.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in humid, semi-deciduous forests near the Atlantic in Brazil.

Countries/locations it is found in

Brazil (country/location of origin), South America

How it is used for food

The pulp of the fruit is sweet and is eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

The plant is grown from seeds. The ripe fruit are removed from the tree and then opened to remove the seeds. The seeds should be cleaned under running water then planted while fresh. They need light shade. Seedlings emerge in 50-70 days.

The tree grows rapidly.

Its other names

Local names

Espinheiro, Una-de-gato, Veludo-de-espinho

Synonyms

Gardenia ferox Cham. & Schltdl.; Solena ferox (Cham. & Schltdl.) D. Dietr.;