Tropical Plant "Monkey banana"
Porcelia macrocarpa

Characteristics – This fruit tree, the monkey banana, is not under cultivation and is rare in nature. It is native to Minas Gerais and from Sao Paulo down to Rio Grande do Sul. It is found in the Atlantic Forest and the semi-deciduous forest of the Parana River basin. It is a semi-decidous tree, 10-20 m tall with very smooth bark. Leaves are simple, membranous, glabrous on both surfaces, from 7-12 cm long.

Flowers are solitary, large, terminal and fragrant, with fleshy yellow petals, they form in August and September. Berry-type fruits, in clusters, contain a small amount of sweet, succulent pulp with many seeds. They mature from November to January.

Uses – Although the fruits are tasty, they contain little edible pulp and are consumed in their natural state.

Propagation – Propagated mainly with seeds.