Abiu, Caimito

A tropical plant. It suits the hot, wet tropical lowlands. It needs a warm climate and year round moisture. It is a tropical plant, but will grow in subtropical places. It enjoys wet soil. It grows naturally in the Amazon and Andes. It grows to 1200 m in the Andes. It cannot tolerate frost. It suits hardiness zones 10-11.
Also known as:
Abiero, Aguaycillo, Asepokoballi, Caimitillo, Caimito, Caimo, Cauje, Caymito, Coloradillo de la bajura, Ingi-oedoe, Luma, Pepeboiti, Temare, Yaas, Yellow star apple
Synonyms
- Achras caimito Ruiz & Pav.
- Achras guapeba Casar
- Guapeba laurifolia Gomes
- Guapeba caimito (R.& P.) Pierre
- Labatia caimito (R.&.P.) C.Martius
- Labatia reticulata Mart.
- Labatia lasiocarpa Mart.
- Lucuma caimito (Ruiz & Pav.) Roem. & Schult.
- Lucuma laurifolia (Gomes) DC.
- Lucuma laurifolia var. reticulata (Mart.) DC.
- Lucuma lasiocarpa (Mart.) DC
- Lucuma ternata Kunth.
- Pouteria laurifolia (Gomes) Radlk.
- Pouteria lasiocarpa (Mart.) Radlk.
- Pouteria leucophaea Baehni
- Pouteria caimito var. laurifolia (Gomes) Baehni
- Pouteria temare (Kunth.) Aubr.
- Richardella temare (Kunth.) Pierre
Edible Portion
- Fruit, Kernel, Nuts
Where does Abiu grow?
Found in: Amazon, Andes, Asia, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Hawaii, Malaysia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Pacific, Panama, Peru, SE Asia, South America, Suriname, Trinidad, United States, Venezuela
Notes: There are about 150-320 Pouteria species. They grow in the tropics.
Status: It is a cultivated food plant. Fruit are sold in local markets.
Growing Abiu, Caimito
Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. Seed germinate easily. Seedling trees vary in quality. Grafting and air-layering can also be used. Fresh seed are planted and germinate in 4-6 weeks. Some trees are self fertile and others need cross pollinating.
Edible Uses: The ripe fruit is eaten raw. They are also used for desserts. Occasionally they are used in ice-cream.
Production: Trees will produce fruit after 7-10 years from seeds and after 3 years from grafts. Mature trees can produce 100-1000 fruit per year. Fruit mature in about 180 days.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portionEdible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fruit | 95 | 2.1 | 1.8 | - | 49 | - | 74.1 |
Abiu, Caimito Photos
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