Mangaba
Hancornia speciosa

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A medium sized tree. It grows 6-8 m high. It can be 15 m high. The trunk is twisted and 30 cm across. The leaves are simple and opposite. They are 3.5-10 cm long by 1.5-5 cm wide. The fruit is medium sized and red with a thin skin. It is 2.5-6 cm long. It has sweet flesh and one or more seeds. The seed are 1 cm across. The plant is variable and 6 varieties have been described.

There is only one Hancornia species. It has antioxidant activity.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in scrubland in central Brazil. It grows naturally in regions with average temperatures between 24-26°C. The rainfall is 1,400 mm per year. It can grow in the temperature range of 15-43°C. It grows in sandy soils.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Andes, Asia, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Malaysia, Paraguay, Peru, SE Asia, South America (country/location of origin), Venezuela

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit is eaten fresh. They are also made into juice, preserves, drinks, pudding and wine. It is made into marmalade and ice cream

The fruit are sold in local markets. They are tasty.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. The seeds from ripe fruit are removed and dried in the shade then planted. Seeds are slow to germinate and only a few grow. It is best to use fresh seeds.

Plants grow slowly. Fruit are best when harvested from the ground. Plants fruit 5-6 years after planting. Fruit ripen after 112 days.

Its other names

Local names

Magaba, Mangabeira, Mangabinha do norte, Mangava, Mangaba-da-restinga, Manguba, Xaba motoha

Synonyms

Echites glauca Roem. & Schult.; Hancornia gardneri Muell.Arg.; Hancornia lundii A DC.; Hancornia maximiliana A DC.; Hancornia pubescens Muell.Arg.; Hancornia speciosa var. gardneri (A. DC.) Mull.Arg.; Ribeirea sorbilis Arr.Cam.; Willughbeia pubescens (Nees & Mart.) Mull.Arg.;