Pequi, Pequia
Caryocar coriaceum
Family: Caryocaraceae
What it is like
A partly deciduous tree. The trunk is twisted. It grows 8-12 m tall. The leaves are compound with 3 leaflets. The leaves are rough. The flowers are at the ends of branches. There are flowers of both sexes. The fruit are round or oblong and fleshy with a hard stone inside. There are 1-4 seeds in a woody covering that has rigid spines. The pulp is fleshy and creamy and has a sweet flavour.
The Caryocaraceae occur in tropical America. There are 16 Caryocar species. They have antioxidant and anti-aging properties.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in barren land in Brazil.
Countries/locations it is found in
Amazon, Brazil (country/location of origin), South America
How it is used for food
The pulp of the fruit is usually cooked before eating. The kernel of the nut is also eaten. It yields an edible oil.
The fruit and kernels are nutritious.
Edible parts
Fruit, kernel, nuts, oil
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed. The seeds are collected from ripe fruit and removed by washing. Seeds need to be planted fresh. Seeds emerge in 80-120 days.
Its other names
Local names
Piki