Campomanesia guazumifolia
| Scientific name | Campomanesia guazumifolia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common names | Sete capotes | |
| Genus | Campomanesia | |
| Family | Myrtaceae | |
| Order | Myrtales | |
| Growth form | Deciduous tree with an open crown | |
| Native range | Southern South America: Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and southern and eastern Brazil | |
| Mature size | 3–8 m tall; bole 20–30 cm in diameter | |
| Climate/site | Subtropical to tropical; forest edges, secondary growth, and gallery forests; sun or dappled shade | |
| Propagation | Fresh seed, sown promptly; germination usually in 15–30 days | |
| Fruit | Yellow, subglobose fruits about 35 mm across; juicy, acidic-sweet pulp | |
| Harvest | Gather ripe fruit when yellow; regional timing varies | |
| Years to fruit | N/A; no dependable species-wide value established | |
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Campomanesia guazumifolia, known as sete capotes, is a deciduous South American fruit tree in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. The accepted name belongs to the genus Campomanesia and order Myrtales.[1] Its range spans Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and southern and eastern Brazil, with forest and regenerating forest habitats.[2][3]
Description
The tree has an open crown and can reach 3–8 m in height. Its crooked, grooved trunk may be 20–30 cm in diameter, with corky bark that peels naturally. The species is deciduous and grows slowly, making it a modest-sized choice for a warm collection where seasonal leaf loss is acceptable.[2]
The flowers are followed by subglobose yellow fruits about 35 mm across. Ripe fruit has juicy, succulent pulp with an acidic-sweet flavor; the common name sete capotes is also used locally for this species.[2]
Cultivation
This is a subtropical to tropical tree associated with seasonally varied South American forests. It grows in full sun or dappled shade and is slow-growing; provide a warm site with room for a small open-crowned tree.[2]
Soil and water
The species occurs in forest edges, secondary formations, and gallery forests. Species-specific requirements for soil texture, organic matter, drainage, and pH remain unestablished; these habitats do not by themselves define a garden soil recipe.[2]
Sun and humidity
The tree grows in sunny positions and dappled shade. A species-specific humidity threshold, wind tolerance, and acclimatization protocol are not established.[2]
Seasonal changes
The species is deciduous, and flowering and fruiting calendars vary across its broad range. No single harvest month applies everywhere, and a species-wide irrigation schedule for the leafless period is not established.[2]
Propagation
Propagate from fresh seed because viability is short. Sow as soon as the fruit is ripe in a lightly shaded nursery bed or individual container. Fresh seed has a high germination rate and commonly sprouts in 15–30 days. Move seedlings from a bed when they are about 3–5 cm tall; plants may need roughly 9–10 months in containers before planting out.[2] No reliable species-wide years-to-fruit figure is established, so seedling bearing age should not be promised.
Flowering, fruiting, and harvest
Flowering is seasonal and is followed by yellow fruit. In the Southern Hemisphere, local observations place flowering in spring, but the timing should not be generalized across the full range. Gather ripe fruit when it has developed its yellow color. Individual trees and regional rainfall patterns can shift the harvest window.[2]
Fruit and uses
The fruit is eaten raw. Its juicy pulp is acidic-sweet and is also used for jams, jellies, and compotes. The fruit is gathered from wild trees and the species is occasionally cultivated within its native range. The wood is hard and moderately heavy, with uses including charcoal and general carpentry.[2]
References
Image credits
- Sete capotes flor-huertasurbanas com 4 polinizador abejorro.JPG: flower with a pollinating bee; creator Huertasurbanas; CC BY-SA 3.0. Commons file page.
