Tropical Plant "Pekia"
Caryocar villosum

Characteristics - The pekia is not a cultivated fruit bearer but it is found frequently in nature. It is native to the dry forests of the Amazon region. The tree is an evergreen, 20-45 m tall with a straight trunk 90-180 cm in diameter. Leaves compound-trifoliate with enlogated petiole, leaflets pubescent on the upper surface and glandular on the lower surface. Inflorescences terminal with flowers of both sexes, form in August-September. Fruit are globose or oblong, containing one or two seeds covered with fleshy, aromatic, yellow pulp with a slightly sweet flavor.

Uses - The fruits can be consumed in their natural state, but generally they are cooked and eaten in various forms. When gnawing the pulp off the pit, one should be careful not to reach the rigid spines that cover the seeds, under the mesocarp.

Propagation - Propagated by seeds.