Prickly lacmellea
Lacmellea aculeata

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A shrub or tree. It grows 12-20 m tall. The trunk has 2 cm long black spines. The leaves are opposite. The flowers are at the ends of branches or in the axils of leaves. The stalks are forked. The fruit stalks are about 1 cm long. The fruit are pear shaped or round and 3.5 cm across. They are yellow or orange. There are prickles at the end. The pulp is edible. There are 1-3 seeds They are 1.5 cm long by 1 cm wide. They are brown.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It can grow in savanna or forests near rivers.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Peru, South America, Suriname, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The fruit pulp is eaten raw. The latex is used instead of milk.

It is a significant food.

Edible parts

Fruit, latex

How it is grown

In Guyana plants flower in July to October and fruit March, May and August.

Its other names

Local names

Au-de-colher, Awaratalla, Baaka mapa, Blaka-prit'jari, Boeboeraballi, Boenoeraballi, Chicle huayo, Cumahy, Maka-mapa, Mpoukou mambaye, Pau de chicle, Pritijari, Tapeleyuwa, Ten

Synonyms

Lacmellea aculeata var. inermis Monach.; Lacmellea aculeata var. surinamensis Monach.; Zschokkea aculeata Ducke;