Mess apple, Big jiggernet
Bellucia grossularioides

Family: Melastomataceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 6-9 m high. It can grow 30 m tall. The crown is round and dense. The branches are lumpy. The trunk is twisted. It is 30-40 cm across. The leaves are simple and opposite. They are 15-35 cm long by 10-20 cm wide. The leaf stalks are 3-7 cm long. The flowers are on stalks on the stem and are white or pink. They are 3.5 cm across. The fruit is a half round berry. It is 2-3 cm across. The pulp is sweet. There are several seeds.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in the whole Amazon region. It is most common in dryland secondary forest. It grows from sea level to 400 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, North America, Panama, Peru, South America, Suriname, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten fresh. They are also used for juice.

The fruit are not much appreciated in some areas and enjoyed in others. Fruit are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. The ripe fruit are harvested and the fruit allowed to soften in a plastic bag. Because the seeds are small the fruit are crushed in water and this mixture is then used for sowing. The fresh seeds are planted on the surface of the soil. They will germinate in a few days. The seedlings are then planted out separately into containers and then transplanted into the field when 20-30 cm tall.

Its other names

Local names

Araca-de-anta, Arbol de manzana, Asakali, Asakari, Bois messe, Camburito, Cara-re-yek, Chiconit, Chiganet, Cimarnon, Coronilla, Coronillo, Goiaba-de-anta, Guayaba, Guayabochi, Guayabo de monte, Huicama, Itara, Kadade, Kobhe, Lebi-mesoepoe, Makasihi, Maya, Mespelboom, Mesproe, Mispel, Mu'y, Nispa, Paja-oedoe, Nispere del monte, Nispero, Pomarosa, Paja-oe-doe, Pumalaca, Pumarosa, Sakwa sepere, Sikararia, Sir-in, Tacarique

Synonyms

Apatitia blakeoides Desv.; Bellucia aubletii Naudin; Bellucia brasiliensis Naudin; Bellucia circumscissa Spruce ex Cogn.; Bellucia hostmannii Naudin; Bellucia macrophylla (D. Don) Triana; Bellucia multiflora H. Karst.; Bellucia nervosa Raf.; Bellucia quinquenervia (Aubl.) H. Karst.; Bellucia superba Naudin; Blakea macrophylla D. Don; Blakea quinquenervia Aubl.; Blakea triplinerva L. f.; Melastoma grossularioides L.; Webera quinquenervia (Aubl.) C. C. Gmel.;