Sorva grande, Milk tree
Couma macrocarpa

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A large tree. It grows to 30-40 m high. The leaves are oval and 8-12 cm long by 6-8 cm wide. The leaves are in groups of three. The flowers are 2.5 cm long. They are small and in heads at the ends of branches. The fruit are 8-9 cm across. The pulp is sweet with several seeds.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in lowland forest on non flooded sites up to 1,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Caribbean, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Guianas, Guyana, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, South America, Suriname, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The pulp of the fruit is edible. The latex is drinkable. It is also used for chewing gum.

The fruit are popular. It is a cultivated plant. Fruit are sold in local markets

Edible parts

Fruit, latex, seeds

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. The seeds are removed from mature fruit and the pulp is washed off. The seeds need to be planted fresh. They emerge in 25-35 days.

In Guyana plants flower in September and fruit in December.

Its other names

Local names

Aso, Duam, Fransoco, Huasoca, Huito, Juansoco, Karimein, Leche caspi, Leche guayo, Leche huayo, Osoku', Pendare, Perillo, Rokoroko, Uchi daum, Wansoka

Synonyms

Couma capiron Pittier; Couma caurensis Pittier; Couma guatemalensis Standl.; Couma sapida Pittier;