Water sawarri
Caryocar microcarpum

Family: Caryocaraceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 20-30 m tall. The crown is wide and round. The trunk is upright and 70-90 cm across. The bark is thick and in irregular plates. The leaves are compound with 3 leaflets. The leaves have long stalks and the leaflets have short stalks. The flowers are in small groups and 2.5 cm long. The fruit is oval and fleshy with a hard stone inside.

The Caryocaraceae occur in tropical America. There are 16 Caryocar species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in the Amazon in Brazil. It is in forests that are sometimes flooded.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Colombia, French Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Martinique, Peru, South America, Suriname, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten fresh but not as attractive as some similar fruit. They are also cooked. The kernel of the spiny seed is eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit, kernel, seeds

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. The ripe fruit are harvested and the seeds removed. Seeds are only viable for a very short time. Fresh seed should be planted. They germinate in 30-60 days.

Plants can reach 2 m in 2 years.

Its other names

Local names

Aloe koemali, Arukumari, Chawari, Kapikola, Kasanjan, Kobo, Kola, Kula, Pegui, Pequia-amarelo, Pequia-bravo, Pequia, Pequiarana-da-varzea, Pequiarana, Petia, Peuqiarana-do-igapo, Sawarri, Ruwbast sopo-oedoe, Vinagreira

Synonyms

Caryocar glabrum var. edule Wittmack; Caryocar glabrum var. pilosum Wittmack; Caryocar riparium A. C. Smith;