Tropical Plant "Black massaranduba"
Manilkara salzmannii

Characteristics - The black massaranduba is a fruit tree, not under cultivation nor frequent in nature in its natural habitat, on the Atlantic coast from Para and Maranhao to Espirito Santo and Rio de Janeiro, in the rain forest. It is an evergreen tree, lactiferous, 10-25 m tall. Leaves simple, emarginate, coriaceous, lustrous, glabrous or with sparse hairs on the inferior surface, 5-13 cm long, with the main nerve salient and with 10-16 pairs of secondary nerves. Inflorescences in terminal fascicles with 3-12 androgynous, fragrant, white flowers, form in October and November. The fruits are globose berries, with 1-2 seeds, immersed in a succulent, sweet pulp. Ripening occurs in January and February.

Uses - The fruits are consumed, exclusively, in their natural state.

Propagation - Propagated by seeds.