Smooth genip
Genipa infundibuliformis
Family: Rubiaceae
What it is like
A tree. It grows 8-16 m high. The crown is round and dense. The trunk is 40-60 cm across. The bark is thin, light grey and smooth. The leaves are simple and opposite in 2 directions. They can have 3-5 lobes when young. The leaves are 20-40 cm long by 6-18 cm wide. The leaf stalks are 5-12 mm long. There are 12-15 pairs of side veins. The flowers are at the ends of the branches. There are 2-4 flowers with long petals that curve downwards. They are pale yellow. The fruit is a large round berry. It has juicy pulp and many seeds.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in Brazil in forests near the Atlantic.
Countries/locations it is found in
Brazil (country/location of origin), South America
How it is used for food
The fruit are used for sweets and liqueurs. The fruit are acid so needs to have sugar added and is eaten fresh.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed. The ripe fruit are harvested and put into a plastic bag to soften. The seeds are washed out under running water. Fresh seed are planted and they germinate in 10-20 days.
Its other names
Local names
Jenipapeiro-do-seco, Jenipapo-liso