Tropical Plant "Araticum"
Duguetia furfuracea

Characteristics – This fruit tree, not under cultivation, occurring frequently in its natural habitat. Native to Minas Gerais, Sao Paulo and from Mato Grosso do Sul to Rio Grande do Sul in the sandy soil of the Atlantic Forest and the semi-deciduous forest of the Prana River basin. It is an evergreen tree of 15-20 m leaves are glabrous, coriaceous, 8-12 cm long.

Flowers are androgynous, axillary, forming in October-November. Fruits are composite (syncarp) with sharp-pointed tubercule covered skin. Pulp is succulent, very tasty with strong aroma. Fruit ripens from January to March.

Uses – The fruits have a pleasant sweet flavor, somewhat reminiscent of coconuts, and are eaten in their natural state. The pulp around the seeds is very scarce.

Propagation – Propagated by seeds; it is a very slow grower.