Pouteria caimito
| Pouteria caimito | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific name | Pouteria caimito |
| Common names | abiu, yellow sapote, caimito amarillo, caimo, abieiro |
| Genus | Pouteria |
| Family | Sapotaceae |
| Order | Ericales |
| Fruit type | Berry |
| Growth form | Evergreen tree |
| Native range | Western Amazon and adjoining tropical South America |
| Climate and site | Hot humid tropical; frost-sensitive |
| Mature size | Medium to large tree; site-dependent |
| Propagation | Fresh seed; grafting and budding; air-layering reported |
| Years to fruit | Seedlings about 2–10 years; grafted/budded plants about 1–4 years; highly variable |
Abiu is the Amazonian fruit tree Pouteria caimito It is also called yellow sapote, but “caimito” can refer to the unrelated star apple, Chrysophyllum cainito.[1][2][3]
Description[edit | edit source]
The evergreen tree bears ovoid to round berries about 3.8–10.2 cm across. Smooth skin changes from green toward yellow as the fruit ripens. The ripe pulp is white to translucent, soft, jelly-like, and sweet; insufficiently ripe fruit contains sticky latex.
Distribution and habitat[edit | edit source]
The species is native to the western Amazonian region and adjoining tropical South America. Sources describe lowland tropical forest, seasonally flooded forest, and areas from sea level to roughly 1,200–1,500 m. Cultivation should follow the warm, moisture-available habitat without assuming permanent flooding is suitable.[2]
Cultivation[edit | edit source]
Use fertile, well-drained soil with year-round moisture. UF/IFAS gives an approximate pH range of 5.5–7.5 and warns against persistent flooding; high-pH soils may cause iron deficiency. Full sun gives the best fruit production, though light shade may be tolerated in hot sites. Protect from cool temperatures, cold winds, and frost.
Soil and water[edit | edit source]
Maintain regular moisture but avoid waterlogged sites. Young trees need establishment irrigation, and prolonged dry periods are especially important during bloom and fruit development. Treat the reported pH range as cultivation guidance, not a universal threshold.
Sun and humidity[edit | edit source]
Full sun is preferred for growth and fruiting; light shade may be tolerated. The native climate is hot and humid, but the tree is cold-sensitive. No fixed humidity percentage is established.
Seasonal changes[edit | edit source]
The tree is evergreen and does not require a proven dry period to flower. Good forms may fruit twice annually, while UF/IFAS reports a fall harvest in Florida. Flowering and harvest timing vary with climate; avoid imposing a universal calendar and prevent drought stress from bloom through fruit development.
Propagation[edit | edit source]
Sow fresh seed promptly because viability declines rapidly. Seedlings may begin in roughly 2–10 years according to conflicting source accounts. Grafting or budding preserves superior selections and is reported at roughly 1–4 years when established; air-layering is also reported. These are broad, variable ranges rather than guarantees.[3]
Flowering, fruiting, and harvest[edit | edit source]
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Fruit development is reported at roughly 100–130 days from flowering by UF/IFAS, while another source gives a longer interval; treat duration as variable. Harvest at partial color break through full yellow and allow mature fruit to finish ripening for a short time at room temperature. The thin skin bruises easily.
Fruit and uses[edit | edit source]
Eat fully ripe pulp fresh or use it in fruit salads, sorbets, ice cream, yogurt, and desserts. Unripe flesh and latex can be gummy and irritating. The sources reviewed do not establish systemic toxicity of ripe pulp, but seeds should not be eaten and latex should not be used as home medicine.[1]
Photos[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
Image credits[edit | edit source]
- Abiu fruit interior.jpg — Pouletic, CC BY-SA 3.0.
- Pouteria caimito - Naples Botanical Garden - Naples, Florida - DSC09716.jpg — Daderot, CC0.
- Starr-121108-0826-Pouteria caimito-fruit-Pali o Waipio-Maui (24565733254).jpg — Forest and Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0 US.