Uvilla, Amazon grape tree
Pourouma cecropiifolia

Family: Urticaceae

What it is like

A medium size tree 8-18 m high. The leaves are 25 cm long and grow in large clusters. The leaves are velvety and blue-grey underneath. Male and female flowers are on separate trees. The fruit form in clusters of 25 or more. The fruit are round and purple. They are 2-5 cm across. They have a white, juicy pulp. The ripe fruit smell like wintergreen mint.

There are 25 Pourouma species. Also put in the family Cecropiaceae and Moraceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It will not tolerate frost. It needs regular moisture throughout the year. It suits the hot, humid tropical lowlands. It grows in areas with rainfalls of 1,500-4,000 mm per year. The average temperatures are 20-28°C. Trees will stand short periods of flooding but are very susceptible to drought. It grows naturally in the rainforests of Brazil, Peru and Ecuador. It grows up to 1,700 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Asia, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Colombia (country/location of origin), Ecuador (country/location of origin), Pacific, Mexico, Peru (country/location of origin), Philippines, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, South America (country/location of origin), Venezuela (country/location of origin), West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw or made into wine. They are also used for jams, juice and jellies. The flavour is mild like a common grape.

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

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed need to be sown fresh. Plants germinate in 3-5 weeks.

They are fast growing. Seedling trees can produce fruit in 1-3 years.

Its other names

Local names

Airo cuiya'i, Amarten, Ambauba-do-vinho, Ambaibillo, Ambaibo macho, Baacohe, Bochoa tsaha, Caima, Caimaron, Camairon, Chimiqua, Cirpe, Cocura, Cucura, Cucuva, Cuiya'i, Curcura, Gurucana, Huo'coro, Ikitoka, La'ti, Maca ede ni, Mapati, Peruma, Puruma, Sacha uvilla, Sadajii, Sesho, Shuinia, Sirpe, Tamaribe, Tarpu uvillas, Ubilla, Uva, Uva cimarona, Uva de monte, Uvilla del monte, Uvula, Washi shuinia, Willas, Yai queopea, Yanat, Yuhue

Synonyms

Pourouma edulis Dufresne; Pourouma multifida Trecul.; Pourouma sapida Karsten; Pourouma uvifera Rusby;