Tauroniro
Humiria balsamifera

Family: Humiriaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 4-25 m high. It can be taller. The trunk can be 30-90 cm across. The crown is round and dense. It some locations it grows as a shrub. The trunk is short and 30-40 cm across. The leaves vary is size and shape. They are 6-15 cm long by 3-6 cm wide. The flowers are in groups at the ends of branches. They are white. The fruit is oval and fleshy with a stone inside. It is 10-11 mm long by 4-8 mm wide. It is dark purple and fleshy when ripe. There are 15 varieties.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in dryland forest in the Amazon in Brazil.

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 are eaten raw.

The fruit are sold in markets.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

The plant is grown from seed. The ripe fruit are harvested and put in plastic bags to allow them to soften so it is easier to remove the seeds. Fresh seed are planted and germinate in 2-3 months.

Plants grow at a moderate rate.

Its other names

Local names

Apacharama, Chamisia, Chanul, Loro shungo, Meri, Mureua, Oloroso, Quinilla negra, Tauaranru, Tauromiro, Umir, Umiri

Synonyms

Houmiri balsamifera Aubl.; Humiria arenaria Baill.; Humiria balsamifera var. balsamifera Myrodendrum amplexicaule Willd.; Myrodendrum balsamiferum Raeusch;