Murici
Byrsonima verbascifolia

Family: Malpighiaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 4-6 m high. Often it is only 1 m high. The trunk is twisted. It is 15-25 cm across. The bark is thick and rough. The leaves are simple and near the ends of branches. They are 14-20 cm long by 6-12 cm wide. The flowers are in groups in the axils of leaves. They are 15-25 cm long on stalks 1-6 cm long. The flowers are red and yellow. The fruit is round and fleshy with a sweet pulp.

There are 127 Byrsonima species. They grow in tropical America.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in the Amazon and central Brazil. It grows on dry soil.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Central America, Colombia, Cuba, French Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Honduras, Nicaragua, South America, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, Venezuela, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit are used as juices. They are acid so are eaten with sugar. They are also used for jams and puddings.

The fruit are enjoyed.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds - oil

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. The ripe fruit are put in plastic bags to soften them and make it easier to removed the seeds. Fresh seed are planted and germinate in 4-8 weeks.

Plants grow slowly.

Its other names

Local names

Douradinha-falsa, Murici-assu, Murici-grande, Murici-guassu, Murici-pequeno, Murici-rasteiro, Murici, Orelha-de-burro, Orelha-de-veado

Synonyms

Malpighia verbacifolia L.; and others