Borojoa patinoi

Cuatrec.

Borojo

Rubiaceae Edible: Fruit

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MBG

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MBG

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MBG

Description

Borojoa patinoi is an evergreen Tree growing to 8 m (26ft) by 6 m (19ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

Edible Uses

Drink. Fruit - eaten raw or made into jellies, preserves, sauces, ice cream etc. A sweet, aromatic flavour with some bitterness. The green to brown fruit is 7 - 12 cm in diameter with a brown pulp that is very acid and dense. The fruit pulp is used to prepare juice (jugo del amor), compotes, marmalades, candies and wine.

Medicinal Uses

Aphrodisiac. The fruit is prized for its tonic and cure-all qualities. It is famous in western Colombia for its supposed aphrodisiac properties.

Distribution

Northwestern S. America - Colombia and Brazil, north through Central America to Nicaragua.

Where It Grows

SOUTHERN AMERICA: Costa Rica, Puntarenas, Panama, Darién, Panamá, Colombia, Cauca, Chocó, Ecuador, Esmeraldas, Pastaza,

Cultivation

A plant of warm tropical lowlands usually at elevations up to 700 metres, but sometimes to 1,200 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures fall within the range 20 - 28°c, though it can tolerate 15 - 32°c. Temperatures in its native region may reach up to an absolute maximum of 41°c. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 3,000 - 6,000mm, tolerating 2,500 - 9,000mm. It thrives with high air humidity average up to almost 90%. Succeeds in heavy soils. Prefers a pH in the range 4.5 - 6.5, tolerating 4 - 7. The fruit takes more than one year to ripen after flowering. A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.