Byrsonima verbascifolia

Description

A tree. It grows 4-6 m high. Often it is only 1 m high. The trunk is twisted. It is 15-25 cm across. The bark is thick and rough. The leaves are simple and near the ends of branches. They are 14-20 cm long by 6-12 cm wide. The flowers are in groups in the axils of leaves. They are 15-25 cm long on stalks 1-6 cm long. The flowers are red and yellow. The fruit is round and fleshy with a sweet pulp.

Edible Uses

The fruits are used as juices (typically sweetened due to their acidity), jams, and puddings. The seeds yield oil.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are used as juices. They are acid so are eaten with sugar. They are also used for jams and puddings.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The seed oil has traditional uses.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows in the Amazon and central Brazil. It grows on dry soil.

Where It Grows

Amazon, Bolivia, Brazil*, Central America, Colombia, Cuba, French Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Honduras, Nicaragua, South America, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, Venezuela, West Indies,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from seed. The ripe fruit are put in plastic bags to soften them and make it easier to removed the seeds. Fresh seed are planted and germinate in 4-8 weeks.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a sunny position, either in a nursery seedbed or in individual containers. Germination rates are normally low, with the seed sprouting within 4 - 8 weeks. Transplant the nursery bed seedlings to individual containers when 5 - 7cm tall.

Other Uses

The bark is a source of tannins. A black dye obtained from the bark is used to colour textiles. The wood is medium-textured, moderately heavy, with poor mechanical properties and low durability. Because of its small size it is only used for fine cabinet making. The wood is used for fuel and making charcoal.

Production

Plants grow slowly.

Other Information

The fruit are enjoyed.

Notes

There are 127 Byrsonima species. They grow in tropical America.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Douradinha-falsa, Murici-assu, Murici-grande, Murici-guassu, Murici-pequeno, Murici-rasteiro, Murici, Orelha-de-burro, Orelha-de-veado

References (15)

• Bircher, A. G. & Bircher, W. H., 2000, Encyclopedia of Fruit Trees and Edible Flowering Plants in Egypt and the Subtropics. AUC Press. p 71
• Bortolotto, I. M., et al, 2018, Lista preliminar das plantas alimenticias nativas de Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. Iheringia, Serie Botanica, Porto Alegre, 73 (supl.):101-116
• Brazil: Biodiversity for Food and Nutrition
• Cavalcante, P.B., 1991, Frutas comestíveis da Amazônia. Edições CEJUP
• Grandtner, M. M. & Chevrette, J., 2013, Dictionary of Trees, Volume 2: South America: Nomenclature, Taxonomy and Ecology. Academic Press p 85

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