Majestic heaven lotus
Gustavia augusta

Family: Lecythidaceae

What it is like

An evergreen shrub. It grows 6 m tall. It spreads 2 m wide. It can be 22 m tall. It has a stiff erect habit. The leaves are shaped like a paddle and are coarse. They can be 45 cm long and have fine teeth along the edge. The flowers are large and showy. They can be 15 cm across. The petals are pink or white. The fruit capsule can be 3-7 cm long by 3-8 cm wide.

There are 41 Gustavia species. They grow in tropical America.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It can tolerate dry seasons. It grows in river forests along the Amazon and also in the uplands. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Asia, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Guiana (country/location of origin), Guianas, Guyana, Indonesia, Myanmar, Peru, SE Asia, South America (country/location of origin), Suriname, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The fruit are only occasionally eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds or layering. They can be grown from cuttings.

Fruit are produced in the rainy season.

Its other names

Local names

Arepawana, Banbwe-pyu, Cacao cimarron, Camaca, Coco de mono, Chope, Cona-da-cona-dou, Geniparana, Guatero, Guatoso, Gustavia agung, Mata mata, Muerto, Rabo pelado, Rosa de muerto, Sachachope, Teratai surgawi agung, Vela

Synonyms

Grias aubletiana Miers; Grias hexapetala Hook. ex Urb.; Grias mexiana R.Knuth; Grias tetrapetala (Aubl.) Nied.; Gustavia angusta J.F.Gmel.; Gustavia antillana Miers; Gustavia augusta var. brasiliensis O.Berg; Gustavia augusta var. calycaris O.Berg; Gustavia augusta var. guianensis O.Berg; Gustavia augusta var. verrucosa Mart. ex O.Berg; Gustavia brasiliensis E.Morren; Gustavia calycaris (O.Berg) Miers; Gustavia insignis Hook.; Gustavia laciniosa Miers; Gustavia marcgraaviana Miers; Gustavia meizocarpa Gaertn.; Gustavia membrillo Appun; Gustavia mexiana R.Knuth; Gustavia poeppigiana var. rigida O.Berg; Gustavia tetrapetala (Aubl.) DC.; Gustavia tetrapetala (Aubl.) Stokes; Gustavia theophrasta Linden; Gustavia urceolata Poit.; Japarandiba antillana (Miers) Nied.; Japarandiba augusta (L.) Kuntze; Japarandiba marcgraaviana Miers; Japarandiba marcgraaviana (Miers) Nied.; Pirigara tetrapetala Aubl.; Platycarya simplicifolia var. ternata G.R.Long;