Tropical Plant "Cocoplum"
Chrysobalanus icaco

Characteristics - The cocoplum is a fruit tree, rarely cultivated but relatively frequent in its natural habitat, the beaches, dunes and sandy levees along the seacoast, in the states of Para, Maranhao, Ceara and Bahia as well as on the beaches along the rivers, of the Lower Amazon. The tree is evergreen, 4-6 m tall with a twisted trunk, at times prostrate on the ground. Leaves glabrous on both surfaces and coriaceous. Inflorescences in axillary panicles with flowers of both sexes forming almost year-round. Fruits, globose or oblong, black, white or red (see photos), containing a single seed covered in a dense, fleshy, sweet-flavored pulp.

Uses - The fruits are consumed in their natural state and commercialized in the northern regions.

Propagation - Propagated by seeds.