Prickly moutabea
Moutabea aculeata

Family: Polygalaceae

What it is like

A creeper or slender tree. It can be 30 m long. The fruit are 3.5 cm long by 3 cm wide. They have a yellow pulp. There are 4 light brown seeds. These are 2 cm long by 1 cm wide. The pulp is eaten.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in floodplain forests and on uplands. It grows up to 1,500 m above sea level in the Andes.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Bolivia (country/location of origin), Brazil (country/location of origin), Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica (country/location of origin), Ecuador, Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Peru (country/location of origin), South America, Venezuela

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Food are produced in the rainy season. Fruit are harvested from the ground.

Its other names

Local names

Achaucharucilli, Caimito del monte, Coto huayo, Gogo de guariba, Gogozinho, Guapomocillo, Guapurucillo, Jazmin, Kerunch, Megowe, Menemo, Meta huayo, Ojo de venado

Synonyms

Acosta aculeata Ruiz & Pav.; Moutabea longifolia Poepp. & Endl.; and others