Paullinia alata

Family: Sapindaceae

What it is like

A vine. The fruit are light brown and turn red when ripe. There is a white layer around the single seed. The seed is black. The fruit are produced along the stem near the ground.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows on the floodplains in the Amazon. It also grows up to 1,600 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Bolivia (country/location of origin), Brazil (country/location of origin), Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru (country/location of origin), South America, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The aril of fleshy layer around the seeds is eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Fruit appear during the rainy season.

Its other names

Local names

Seca boca, Macota, Barbasco colorado, Guarana bravo, Mata fome

Synonyms

Paullinia fasciculata Radlk.; and others