Casearia pitumba

Sleumer

Pitumba casearia

Salicaceae Edible: Fruit, Aril Potential hazards — see below 13 iNaturalist observations

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Description

A shrub or tree. It grows 4-12 m tall. The flowers occur in small clusters. The fruit have thick stalks. The fruit is a capsule. It is 3 cm long by 2.5 cm wide. It is green and turns yellow then orange. The fruit usually has 3 ribs along it and 3 thick woody valves where it opens. There are about 20 seeds. These are angular and 1 cm long by 0.5 cm wide. They are a white slimy aril of layer around the seeds. This is sweet and edible.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw. The white, fleshy aril surrounding the seeds is eaten. The orange fruit is a subglobose to ovoid capsule 23 - 32mm x 20 - 29mm, containing up to 20 seeds that are clotted together by a white, slimy, sweet-tasting, edible aril.

Known Hazards

The fruit is a capsute containing several seeds. Although the capsule of some species (and possibly also the seeds contained therein) is somewhat toxic, the fleshy aril surrounding the seeds is a different matter and in some species (such as this one) is often eaten and is considered to be perfectly wholesome.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows in the rainforest, especially along rivers but also in savanna and secondary forest.

Where It Grows

Rainforests, especially along rivers, secondary forest, forested slopes on bauxite and savannah, growing in a range of soil types; at elevations up to 1,300 metres.

Propagation

The seed of species in this genus often has a short period of viability and so is best sown as soon as it is ripe. The seed is collected when the fruits start to open - leave them in the sun to open completely to release the seed, then rinse the seed in water to remove the arils. Sow the seed in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed, only just covering the seed, and keep moist. Germination rates vary, but can usually be expected to be low, with the seed sprouting within 20 - 30 days. When the seedlings are 3 - 5cm tall, pot them up into individual containers and they should be ready to plant out a few months later. Cuttings.

Other Uses

The heartwood is yellow or cream, it is not clearly distinguished from the sapwood.

Synonyms

Casearia macrophylla VahlCasearia macrophylla var. barbatula J.F.Macbr.Casearia tarapotina auct., non Pilg.Casearia timbuchi J.F.Macbr.Pitumba edulis A.Rich. ex EichlerPitumba guianensis Aubl.Samyda pitumba Poir.

Also Known As

Bita-tiki, Boesikofi, Dujo, Kwasijikwasji-tiki, Nigua, Peecojuhe, Yanamucu ruyu, Yepenenoncamo

References (7)

Bendezu, Y. F., 2018, Arboles nativos de lad Region Ucayali. Instituto Nacional de Innovacion Agraria. p 289
Grandtner, M. M. & Chevrette, J., 2013, Dictionary of Trees, Volume 2: South America: Nomenclature, Taxonomy and Ecology. Academic Press p 107
NYBG herbarium "edible"
Reis, S. V. and Lipp, F. L., 1982, New Plant Sources for Drugs and Foods from the New York Botanical Garden herbarium. Harvard. p 194
Roa, J. A. G. & Boada, D. S. G., 2018, Fundación para el Fortalecimiento de la Fruticultura y Plantas Alimenticias no Convencionales en Colombia.

Show all 7 references

Torre, de la, L., et al, 2008, Enciclopedia de las Plantas Útiles del Ecuador. Herbario QCA. Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador. p 562
van Roosmalen, M.G.M., 1985, Fruits of the Guianan Flora. Utrecht Univ. & Wageningen Univ. p 129