Pitombarana, Pitomba-folha-fina
Melicoccus espiritosantensis
Family: Sapindaceae
What it is like
A tree. It grows 7-15 m high. The crown is dense. The trunk is grooved and 25-35 cm across. The leaves are compound with 2 pairs of opposite leaves. The leaflets are 2-6 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. The fruit is oval and smooth. They are yellow when ripe. There is a thin sweet edible pulp.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant.
Countries/locations it is found in
Brazil, South America
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seeds. The seeds are collected from ripe fruit after they are partly decomposed and washed in running water. Seeds need to be planted fresh in light shade. Seedlings emerge in 2-3 months.
Plants grow at a moderate rate.