From the book
Fruits of Warm Climates
by Julia F. Morton
Abiu
Pouteria
caimito
Radlk.
Lucuma
caimito
Roem. & Schult. Achras caimito Ruiz
& Pavón
SAPOTACEAE
A minor member of the Sapotaceae, the abiu, Pouteria caimito
Radlk.
(syns. Lucuma caimito
Roem. & Schult.; Achras
caimito Ruiz
& Pavón), has acquired few vernacular names. In
Colombia, it is called caimito, caimito amarilla, caimo or madura
verde; in Ecuador, luma or cauje; in Venezuela, temare; in Brazil,
abiu, abi, abio, abieiro or caimito. It is called yellow star apple in
Trinidad.
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| Plate LVII: ABIU, Pouteria caimito |
Description
The
tree has a
pyramidal or rounded crown; is generally
about 33 ft (10
m) high
but may reach 115 ft (35
m) in favorable situations. A gummy latex, white or reddish, exudes
from wounds in the bark. The leaves are alternate and highly variable;
may be ovate-oblong, obovate or elliptic; 4 to 8 in (10-20 cm) long, 1
1/4 to 2 3/8 in (3-6 cm) wide; short-pointed at the apex, sometimes
long-tapering at the base; smooth or with a few scattered hairs. The
flowers, borne singly or in groups of 2 to 5 in the leaf axils, are
cylindrical, 4- to 5-lobed, white or greenish; 1/6 to 1/3 in (4-8 mm)
long. The fruit, downy when young, is ovoid, elliptical or round; 1 1/2
to 4 in (4-10 cm) long, sometimes
having a short nipple at the apex; with smooth, tough, pale-yellow skin
when ripe and fragrant, white, mucilaginous, translucent,
mild-flavored, sweet or insipid pulp containing 1 to 4 oblong seeds,
brown, with a pale hilum on one side. Until fully ripe, the fruit is
permeated with latex and is very gummy and astringent.
Origin and Distribution
The abiu is a denizen of the headwaters of the Amazon. It grows wild on
the lower eastern slopes of the Andes from southwestern Venezuela to
Peru. It is often cultivated around Iquitos, Peru. In Ecuador, it is
common in the Province of Guayas and the fruits are sold in the markets
of Guayaquil. It is much grown around Pará, Brazil; less
frequently near Rio de Janeiro, and to a limited extent at Bahia. In
Colombia, it is fairly common in the regions of Caquetá,
Meta and Vaupés and it abounds in the adjacent areas of
Amazonas, Venezuela. It has been growing for many years in Trinidad.
Fig. 109: The
pale-yellow abiu (Pouteria
caimito) as sold in the native
market of Buenaventura, Colombia. The fruit is gummy with latex until
it becomes fully ripe.
The plant explorers, Dorsett, Shamel and Popenoe, collected seeds for
the United States Department of Agriculture in Bahia in 1914 (S.P.I.
#37929). In 1915, seeds were received from Lavoras, Minas, Brazil
(S.P.I. #41003). This species has been planted several times at the
Agricultural Research and Education Center, Homestead, Florida, but
most of the young plants have been killed by winter cold. A few trees
planted in 1953 fruited in 1962.
Varieties
There is much variation in the form, size and quality of the fruits of
seedling trees, some having firm flesh, some soft; and some are
insipid, while others have agreeable flavor. At Puerto Ospina, along
the Putamayo River in Colombia, there is a type that fruits in 4 years.
The fruit is round and large. Near the River Inirida, in
Vaupés, Colombia, there is a type that bears in one year
from seed, but the fruits are small with little pulp.
Climate
The abiu is strictly tropical or near-tropical. It thrives best in a
year-around warm and moist climate, yet Popenoe noted that it does well
in somewhat cooler Rio de Janeiro. In Peru it has not been found above
2,000 ft (650 m), though in Colombia, it can be grown up to an
elevation of 6,000 ft (1,900 m).
Soil
The tree is naturally suited to fertile, wet soil. It is subject to
chlorosis in the limestone of southern Florida.
Season
The fruits are in season in March and April in Ecuador. They are sold
in some Brazilian markets from September to April but only a few are
seen in the much shorter season of February and March at Bahia. Fruits
have matured in October in Florida. The abiu can be picked while
underripe and firm for transport to markets.
Propagation and Culture
In Brazil, the washed seeds are dried in the
shade and then planted, 3
together and 2 in (5 cm) deep in enriched soil. They will germinate in
15 to 20 days. When the seedlings are 4 in (10 cm) high, the 2 weakest
are removed. The strong one is set out when 12 to 16 in (30-40 cm)
high. Spacing is 17 x 20 ft (6 x 5 m). One year later, the lower
branches are pruned. Fruiting will begin in 3 years; will be
substantial in 5 years.
Pests and Diseases
Actually, the fruit has little value commercially because it is
commonly damaged by small insects (bichos in Spanish and Portuguese).
In Brazil, the chief pests are said to be fruit flies.
Food Uses
In Colombia, people who wish to eat the abiu. are advised to grease
their lips beforehand to keep the gummy latex from clinging to them. It
is mostly eaten out-of-hand but, in Pará, some types are
used to make ices and ice cream.
| Food
Value Per
100 g of Edible Portion* |
| Calories |
95 |
| Moisture |
74.1
g |
| Protein |
2.1 g |
| Lipids |
1.1
g |
| Glycerides |
22.0 g |
| Fiber |
3.0
g |
| Ash |
0.7
g |
| Calcium |
96.0 mg |
| Phosphorus |
45.0
mg |
| Iron |
1.8
mg |
| Vitamin B |
0.2
mg |
| Vitamin B2 |
0.2
mg |
| Niacin |
3.4
mg |
| Ascorbic
Acid |
49.0
mg |
Amino Acids
(mg per g of nitrogen [N 6.25]) |
| Lysine |
316 mg |
| Methionine |
178
mg |
| Threonine |
219 mg |
| Methionine |
57
mg |
*According to analyses made in Brazil. |
|
Other Uses
Wood:
The wood is dense and heavy, hard, and valued for construction.
Medicinal Uses:
In Brazil, the pulp, because of its mucilaginous nature, is eaten to
relieve coughs, bronchitis and other pulmonary complaints. The latex is
given as a vermifuge and purge and is applied on abscesses.
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