Tropical Plant "Obtuseleaf jungleplum"
Sideroxylon obtusifolium

Characteristics - The obtuseleaf jungleplum is a fruit tree, not under cultivation and is frequent in nature in its natural habitat, the arid, sandy caatinga of the northeast, the Sao Francisco River valley and in the littoral levees from Ceara to Rio Grande do Sul. It is a deciduous or semi-deciduous tree, thorny, from 7-18 m tall, with a dense, low crown. Leaves chartaceous, glabrous and brilliant on the upper surface, from 1.5-6.5 cm long. Inflorescences in axillary fascicles, with 2-20 whitish flowers, fragrant and inconspicuous, form in October and November. Fruits are drupes, smooth, with a succulent, sweet pulp; they ripen in January and February.

Uses - The fruits are consumed in their natural state and greatly appreciated.

Propagation - Propagated by seeds.