Pitomba, Esculent talisia
Talisia esculenta

Family: Sapindaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 4-12 m high. The trunk is 25-30 cm across. The leaves are alternate. The leaves are compound with leaflets along the stalk. There are 4-5 pairs of leaflets. The leaves are 8-10 cm long by 2.5-3 cm wide. The flower clusters are 20-35 cm long. The flowers are white. They have a scent. Flowers have both sexes. Fruit occur in groups of 15-20, The fruit is almost round or oval and 3 cm long by 2.5 cm wide. They are yellow with white flesh. There is 1 seed per fruit.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It suits the hot, wet tropical lowlands. In Bolivia it grows up to 700 m altitude. It grows in dryland forests in western Amazon in Brazil.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, South America

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten fresh.

Fruit are sold in markets. It is a cultivated fruit tree. The fruit are enjoyed.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Fresh seed should be used. The ripe fruit containing seeds can be planted. Seeds germinate in 15-30 days. Seedlings can be transplanted into the field in 6-7 months.

Trees reach 2.5 m after 2 years. Fruit are produced seasonally. Fruit mature in 120 days.

Its other names

Local names

Angustura, Caraya-bola, Caraya-vola, Kupai, O-noconoma, Olho-de-boi, Pitomba-da-mata, Pitomba-de-macaco, Pitombeira, Piton

Synonyms

Sapindus esculentus A. St.-Hil.;