Sacha sandia, Maaning, Guioatu
Capparis salicifolia

Family: Capparaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows to 3 m high. The fruit are round and pale with green leafy patterns over it. The fruit split open when fully ripe and they fall.

There are about 250 Capparis species. There are about 50 Capparis species in tropical America.

Where it is found

A tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, South America

How it is used for food

Caution: It is toxic unless very well boiled. The unripe fruit are boiled in water for several hours with several changes of water. They have also been recorded as being eaten raw. Only very ripe fallen fruit are eaten this way.

Edible parts

Fruit, caution, it is probably the seeds that are toxic.

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Maneg, Nandu apusa, Nenuk, Oohnak, Sacha sandia, Wawasu

Synonyms

Colicodendron salicifolium (Griseb.) Hutch.; Sarcotoxicum salicifolium (Griseb.) Conejo & H. H. Iltis;