Editing Pouteria macrocarpa

{| class="wikitable" style="float: right; width: 320px; margin-left: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 1em;"
! colspan="2" style="background: #e8e8e8;" | ''Pouteria macrocarpa''
|-
! Scientific name
| ''Pouteria macrocarpa'' <sup id="cite_ref-1">[[#cite_note-1|[1]]]</sup>
|-
! Family
| [[Sapotaceae]] <sup>[[#cite_note-1|[1]]]</sup>
|-
! Order
| [[Ericales]] <sup>[[#cite_note-1|[1]]]</sup>
|-
! Genus
| ''[[Pouteria]]''
|-
! Habit
| Evergreen tree, about 15–26 m in a secondary account; Atlantic Forest material up to about 20 m <sup id="cite_ref-2">[[#cite_note-2|[2]]]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-3">[[#cite_note-3|[3]]]</sup>
|-
! Native setting
| Humid lowland rainforest, including usually wet but non-inundated floodplain forest <sup>[[#cite_note-2|[2]]]</sup><sup>[[#cite_note-3|[3]]]</sup>
|-
! Fruit
| Green, globose fruit with 1–2 large seeds; up to about 10 cm in a secondary account <sup id="cite_ref-4">[[#cite_note-4|[4]]]</sup>
|}

'''Pouteria macrocarpa''' is an evergreen sapotaceous tree associated with humid lowland rainforest and usually wet, non-inundated floodplain forest. It is a locally gathered wild fruit in parts of its range, but remains rarely cultivated in the horticultural record. <sup>[[#cite_note-2|[2]]]</sup><sup>[[#cite_note-3|[3]]]</sup>

== Description ==

''Pouteria macrocarpa'' is an evergreen tree recorded at about 15–26 m in a horticultural compilation, while the Atlantic Forest taxonomic material describes trees up to about 20 m. <sup>[[#cite_note-2|[2]]]</sup><sup>[[#cite_note-3|[3]]]</sup> The accepted name belongs to Sapotaceae and the genus ''Pouteria''. ''Labatia macrocarpa'', ''Lucuma paraensis'', ''Neolabatia macrocarpa'', ''Pouteria paraensis'' and ''Richardella macrocarpa'' are recorded synonyms. <sup>[[#cite_note-1|[1]]]</sup><sup>[[#cite_note-3|[3]]]</sup>

The species is associated with humid lowland forest, including floodplain forest that is wet but not inundated. The Brazilian Atlantic Forest record adds voucher-backed occurrences from Bahia and Espírito Santo to the wider Central and South American distribution. <sup>[[#cite_note-2|[2]]]</sup><sup>[[#cite_note-3|[3]]]</sup>

== Cultivation ==

=== Soil and water ===

The documented habitat is humid rainforest and usually wet, non-inundated floodplain forest. <sup>[[#cite_note-2|[2]]]</sup><sup>[[#cite_note-3|[3]]]</sup> A cultivation inference from that setting is to use a moisture-retentive soil with reliable drainage: keep the root zone supplied during active growth, but do not treat the floodplain association as tolerance of stagnant water or prolonged inundation.

At one community-garden collection, mulch was kept away from the trunk to reduce collar-rot risk, and selective pruning after fruit set was used to reduce picking height. These are site-specific practices rather than universal requirements. <sup id="cite_ref-6">[[#cite_note-6|[6]]]</sup>

=== Sun and humidity ===

The species account records growth in full sun and dappled shade, while the native settings are humid lowland forests. <sup>[[#cite_note-2|[2]]]</sup> Bright filtered light or full sun with adequate moisture is therefore a reasonable starting placement; provide good airflow in a humid collection rather than keeping foliage continuously wet.

=== Seasonal changes ===

''Pouteria macrocarpa'' is evergreen and associated with humid, generally wet forest. <sup>[[#cite_note-2|[2]]]</sup> A practical seasonal inference is to avoid imposing a dry dormancy: maintain more consistent moisture through a warm or dry cultivation season and reduce irrigation only when evaporative demand falls, while preserving drainage. A species-specific flowering calendar or dormancy pattern is not assigned.

== Propagation ==

Fresh seed is the documented starting material. Sowing fresh seed in partial shade is reported, with generally low germination and sprouting in about 35–60 days. <sup id="cite_ref-5">[[#cite_note-5|[5]]]</sup> The timing is a qualified horticultural starting range rather than a dependable result for every seed lot; no tested storage schedule, treatment comparison, or bearing-age range is assigned.

== Flowering, fruiting, and harvest ==

Fertile Atlantic Forest specimens document fruit production, and the taxonomic treatment records fruiting material from the species' Brazilian range. <sup>[[#cite_note-3|[3]]]</sup> The examined Atlantic Forest fruits are lignified and globoid, measuring about 3.5–4.6 × 4.8–6.3 cm. <sup>[[#cite_note-3|[3]]]</sup> Green globose fruits up to about 10 cm and one or two large seeds are described. <sup>[[#cite_note-4|[4]]]</sup> These measurements represent different evidence contexts and should not be collapsed into a single fixed fruit size. No pollination requirement, bearing age, or calendar harvest window is assigned.

== Fruit and uses ==

The fruit is described as a green globose structure with one or two large seeds, reaching up to about 10 cm in the horticultural account. <sup>[[#cite_note-4|[4]]]</sup> The species is also described as a popular wild fruit gathered for local use. <sup>[[#cite_note-2|[2]]]</sup> These records support its place as a locally used fruit; they do not establish a universal flavor description or a complete food-safety assessment.

== References ==

* <span id="cite_note-1"></span>[[#cite_ref-1|↑]] '''[1]''' [https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/match?name=Pouteria%20macrocarpa GBIF species match API: Pouteria macrocarpa].

* <span id="cite_note-2"></span>[[#cite_ref-2|↑]] '''[2]''' [https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Pouteria%20macrocarpa ''Pouteria macrocarpa'' | Useful Tropical Plants].

* <span id="cite_note-3"></span>[[#cite_ref-3|↑]] '''[3]''' [https://doi.org/10.1590/2175-7860201768429 Mônico AZ, Silva LA, Dutra VF, Freitas J, Alves-Araújo A. 2017. New records of Pouteria macrocarpa (Sapotaceae) from the Brazilian Atlantic forest. ''Rodriguésia'' 68(4):1493–1498.]

* <span id="cite_note-4"></span>[[#cite_ref-4|↑]] '''[4]''' [https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Pouteria%20macrocarpa#Edible_Uses ''Pouteria macrocarpa'' fruit and edible uses | Useful Tropical Plants].

* <span id="cite_note-5"></span>[[#cite_ref-5|↑]] '''[5]''' [https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Pouteria%20macrocarpa#Propagation ''Pouteria macrocarpa'' propagation | Useful Tropical Plants].

* <span id="cite_note-6"></span>[[#cite_ref-6|↑]] '''[6]''' [https://www.lennoxcommunitygardens.com.au/pouteria-macrocarpa.html ''Pouteria macrocarpa'' — Lennox Community Gardens collection and maintenance record].

[[Category:Fruit plants]]
[[Category:Pouteria]]