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Tropical Plant "Abiu"
Pouteria caimito
A
minor member of the Sapotaceae, the abiu, Pouteria caimito
Radlk. (syns. Lucuma caimito Roem. & Schult.; Achras
caimito Ruiz & Pavn), has acquired few vernacular
names. In Colombia, it is called caimito, caimito amarilla,
caimo or madura verde; in Ecuador, luma
or cauje; in Venezuela, temare; in Brazil, abiu,
abi, abio, abieiro or caimito. It is called yellow
star apple in Trinidad.
Abiu Description
The
tree has a pyramidal or rounded crown; is generally about
33 ft (10 m) high but may reach 115 ft (35 m) in favorable
situations. A gummy latex, white or reddish, exudes from wounds
in the bark. The leaves are alternate and highly variable;
may be ovate-oblong, obovate or elliptic; 4 to 8 in (10-20
cm) long, 1 1/4 to 2 3/8 in (3-6 cm) wide; short-pointed at
the apex, sometimes long-tapering at the base; smooth or with
a few scattered hairs. The flowers, borne singly or in groups
of 2 to 5 in the leaf axils, are cylindrical, 4- to 5-lobed,
white or greenish; 1/6 to 1/3 in (4-8 mm) long. The fruit,
downy when young, is ovoid, elliptical or round; 1 1/2 to
4 in (4-10 cm) long, sometimes having a short nipple at the
apex; with smooth, tough, pale-yellow skin when ripe and fragrant,
white, mucilaginous, translucent, mild-flavored, sweet or
insipid pulp containing 1 to 4 oblong seeds, brown, with a
pale hilum on one side. Until fully ripe, the fruit is permeated
with latex and is very gummy and astringent.
Abiu Origin and Distribution
The
abiu is a denizen of the headwaters of the Amazon. It grows
wild on the lower eastern slopes of the Andes from southwestern
Venezuela to Peru. It is often cultivated around Iquitos,
Peru. In Ecuador, it is common in the Province of Guayas and
the fruits are sold in the markets of Guayaquil. It is much
grown around Par, Brazil; less frequently near Rio de Janeiro,
and to a limited extent at Bahia. In Colombia, it is fairly
common in the regions of Caquet, Meta and Vaups and it abounds
in the adjacent areas of Amazonas, Venezuela. It has been
growing for many years in Trinidad.
The
plant explorers, Dorsett, Shamel and Popenoe, collected seeds
for the United States Department of Agriculture in Bahia in
1914 (S.P.I. #37929). In 1915, seeds were received from Lavoras,
Minas, Brazil (S.P.I. #41003). This species has been planted
several times at the Agricultural Research and Education Center,
Homestead, Florida, but most of the young plants have been
killed by winter cold. A few trees planted in 1953 fruited
in 1962.
Abiu Varieties
There
is much variation in the form, size and quality of the fruits
of seedling trees, some having firm flesh, some soft; and
some are insipid, while others have agreeable flavor. At Puerto
Ospina, along the Putamayo River in Colombia, there is a type
that fruits in 4 years. The fruit is round and large. Near
the River Inirida, in Vaups, Colombia, there is a type that
bears in one year from seed, but the fruits are small with
little pulp.
Abiu Climate
The
abiu is strictly tropical or near-tropical. It thrives best
in a year-around warm and moist climate, yet Popenoe noted
that it does well in somewhat cooler Rio de Janeiro. In Peru
it has not been found above 2,000 ft (650 m), though in Colombia,
it can be grown up to an elevation of 6,000 ft (1,900 m).
Abiu Soil
The
tree is naturally suited to fertile, wet soil. It is subject
to chlorosis in the limestone of southern Florida.
Abiu Season
The
fruits are in season in March and April in Ecuador. They are
sold in some Brazilian markets from September to April but
only a few are seen in the much shorter season of February
and March at Bahia. Fruits have matured in October in Florida.
The abiu can be picked while underripe and firm for transport
to markets.
Abiu Propagation
and Culture
In
Brazil, the washed seeds are dried in the shade and then planted,
3 together and 2 in (5 cm) deep in enriched soil. They will
germinate in 15 to 20 days. When the seedlings are 4 in (10
cm) high, the 2 weakest are removed. The strong one is set
out when 12 to 16 in (30-40 cm) high. Spacing is 17 x 20 ft
(6 x 5 m). One year later, the lower branches are pruned.
Fruiting will begin in 3 years; will be substantial in 5 years.
Abiu Pests
and Diseases
Actually,
the fruit has little value commercially because it is commonly
damaged by small insects (bichos in Spanish and Portuguese).
In Brazil, the chief pests are said to be fruit flies.
Abiu Food
Uses
In
Colombia, people who wish to eat the abiu. are advised to
grease their lips beforehand to keep the gummy latex from
clinging to them. It is mostly eaten out-of-hand but, in Par,
some types are used to make ices and ice cream.
Abiu Other
Uses
Wood:
The wood is dense and heavy, hard, and valued for construction.
Medicinal
Uses: In Brazil, the pulp, because of its mucilaginous
nature, is eaten to relieve coughs, bronchitis and other pulmonary
complaints. The latex is given as a vermifuge and purge and
is applied on abscesses.
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