Tropical Plant "Piquiarana"
Caryocar microcarpum

Characteristics - Caryocar microcarpum is a fruit bearer not under cultivation and is moderately frequent in its natural habitat, the seson-ally flooded forests of the Amazon region in the states of Amazonas, Para and Amapa. It is an evergreen tree, 15-30 m tall with an erect, sulcate trunk. Leaves are composite, trifoliate; leaflets are rigid-meinbranaceous and glabrous. Terminal inflorescences with few flowers of both sexes form from May to October. Fruits are ovoid drupes with 1 -2 spiny seeds covered in a fleshy, sweet mcsocarp (pulp). They begin to ripen in December.

Uses - The fruits can be consumed in their natural state but it is more common to cook them in various ways before eating. They seem to be inferior to the true pekia (Caryocar villosun).

Propagation - Propagated by seeds.