Pouteria multiflora
| Scientific name | Pouteria multiflora |
|---|---|
| Common names | Jacana, bully tree, caimitillo |
| Genus | Pouteria |
| Family | Sapotaceae |
| Order | Ericales |
| Habit | Evergreen tree with a broad, dense crown |
| Height | Commonly 12–28 m; larger trees have been recorded |
| Native range | Caribbean, Central America, and northern South America |
| Years to fruit | About 20–30 years in unmanaged forest; possibly shorter in cultivation |
Pouteria multiflora is a large evergreen fruit tree of the sapodilla family, Sapotaceae, known as jacana or bully tree and also as caimitillo. The accepted species match places it in Pouteria, Sapotaceae, and order Ericales.[1] It occurs from Jamaica and Puerto Rico through the Lesser Antilles and Panama to northern South America, generally in humid tropical forest.[2]
This is a long-lived tree for a warm, spacious planting site rather than a quick orchard crop. It is grown occasionally in home gardens for its edible fruit, but most fruit is gathered from wild trees and commercial cultivation is limited.[3]
Description[edit | edit source]
Pouteria multiflora develops a dense, wide canopy of spreading and slightly drooping branches and commonly reaches 12–28 m. Older trunks may be 45–90 cm in diameter and can show small buttresses. The leaves are evergreen, smooth, leathery to papery, and oblong to oblanceolate; broken tissues contain the white latex characteristic of many sapotaceous trees.[3][4]
Cultivation[edit | edit source]
Give this species a frost-free tropical or warm subtropical site with room for a substantial crown and root system. Its native climate is moist to wet, with roughly 1,400–3,000 mm of annual rainfall and either no pronounced dry season or a dry period of up to about four months.[3]
Soil and water[edit | edit source]
Plant in deep, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. In its range it grows on clay derived from limestone or igneous rock and also on sandy loams; a pH of about 4.5–7 is suitable. Keep young trees evenly watered while roots establish, then maintain moisture through dry weather without leaving the root zone persistently waterlogged.[5][3]
Sun and humidity[edit | edit source]
Established trees succeed in full sun and also tolerate shade beneath other trees. High atmospheric humidity and protection from drying winds are appropriate during establishment. Seedlings may make stronger early growth under light shade; harden them gradually before exposing them to an open, windy position.[3][5]
Seasonal changes[edit | edit source]
Plan irrigation around the local wet–dry cycle. Mature trees can tolerate a seasonal dry period after establishment, but young plants should not be allowed to dry deeply. In tropical climates a tree may carry flowers and fruit at several stages throughout the year, so harvest is not necessarily confined to one short season.[3] Protect young trees from frost; the species is associated with climates in which the coolest-month mean is near 22 °C and frost is absent.[4]
Propagation[edit | edit source]
Use fresh seed. The seeds are recalcitrant and should be sown soon after removal from ripe fruit rather than dried or stored. Germination is reported in roughly 20–70 days, commonly at more than 50% and sometimes near complete germination. Sow in a container or nursery bed in light shade, keep the medium moist, and plant out vigorous seedlings at about 40–50 cm tall, commonly after several months. Vegetative propagation is difficult and has shown low success even with mist and bottom heat.[4][5]
Select a strong central leader early and allow adequate spacing between scaffold branches. About one fifth of seedlings may form multiple leaders, so structural training is useful before the crown becomes too large.[4]
Flowering, fruiting, and harvest[edit | edit source]
The small, pale greenish-cream, scented flowers occur in axillary clusters and are bisexual. Insects are the primary pollinators. Wild trees may remain juvenile for about 20–30 years and generally flower after developing a substantial crown; this period may be shorter under cultivation, but a dependable orchard figure is not established.[5]
The fruit is globose to ellipsoid, smooth-skinned, about 3–15 cm long, and changes from glossy green to yellow-orange as it matures. It may contain one to several large, smooth, brown seeds. In tropical conditions fruit can be present in different maturity stages through the year; large trees have been reported to produce roughly 200–300 fruits annually. Pick fully colored fruit for immediate eating and handle it carefully because ripe pulp softens quickly.[3][5]
Fruit and uses[edit | edit source]
The ripe pulp is sweet with a creamy, pasty texture and is usually eaten fresh. Fruit weight is commonly at least about 70 g, although size varies widely. The species is also planted as an ornamental and shade tree, and its wood is used locally. Fruit quality, yield, and bearing age vary with tree origin and site, and the species has not undergone substantial breeding work.[3][5]
References[edit | edit source]
Image credits[edit | edit source]
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