Uxi
Endopleura uchi

Family: Humiriaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 20-30 m high. The crown is round. The trunk is upright and 60-90 cm across. The bark is thick and smooth. The leaves are simple and alternate. They are 10-20 cm long and 3-8 cm wide. They are in groups in the axils of leaves. The flowers are green and have a scent. The stamens are yellow. The fruit are round and weigh 50-60 g. They contain 1-2 seeds. The fruit vary in colour from green to yellow and red or purple.

The fruit have alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E) at 1.0 mg per 100 g.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in dryland forest in the Amazon in Brazil. It suits acid soils.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Guiana, Guyana, South America, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The fruit can be eaten fresh. They are also mixed with cassava flour. They are also used for ice creams, jams and liqueurs. The pulp yields an oil.

It is a cultivated fruit tree. The fruit are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds - oil

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. The ripe fruit are put in a plastic bag to allow them to soften to help remove the seeds. Seeds only remain viable for a short time. Fresh seed should be harvested. The seed have a hard seed coat which should be broken then fresh seed planted. Seed take 9-10 months to germinate.

Plants grow slowly. Trees begin to fruit after about 15 years.

Its other names

Local names

Aceitillo, Pata de picure, Mixi, Uchi-liso, Uxi-amarelo, Uxi-liso, Uxi-pucu

Synonyms

Sacoglottis uchi Huber;