Gustavia superba

Gustavia superba is an understory tree that grows in Central and north-western South America.[1] Common names include membrillo, sachamango and heaven lotus. The trunk is around 5-10m high with the leaves radiating from the top (like palms).[2]

Gustavia superba
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Lecythidaceae
Genus: Gustavia
Species:
G. superba
Binomial name
Gustavia superba
(Kunth) O. Berg (1856)
Gustavia superba - MHNT

Ecology

Gustavia superba grows naturally as an understory tree, where it is abundant, especially in secondary forests[2] . It appreciates abundant moisture, sun and well drained soil. It branches little until mature, and has a bunch of leaves at the top, so that it resembles a palm. Seeds are dispersed by agoutis. The leaves are a favourite food of iguanas.[3]

Fruit

It bears rounded pear shaped fruit, on the trunk (cauliflorous). Inside the hard green shell are several large seeds about 4 cm in diameter. The yellowish-orange pulp is edible, is usually boiled after which it is said to resemble meat in taste. It is rich in A, B and C vitamins.[4]

Distribution

The tree is not widely known outside its native range from Ecuador to Panama and Venezuela, but has been planted in tropical botanical gardens, including in Singapore (where it is referred to as 'pungol') and Australia.[5][6]

Gustavia superba flower

References
  1. "Discover Life map of Gustavia superba". The Polistes Corporation; The Center for Tropical Forest Science, Panama; Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 2008-11-07.
  2. Croat, Thomas B. (1978). Flora of Barro Colorado Island. Stanford University Press. p. 647. ISBN 978-0-8047-0950-7.
  3. "Trees, Shrubs, and Palms of Panama: Gustavia superba". Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Retrieved 2008-11-07.
  4. Woodard, Spencer (2008-03-03). "Lecythidaceae, Gustavia superba, membrillo, paco". Retrieved 2008-11-07.
  5. "Gustavia superba". 14 April 2011.
  6. http://botanybucketlist.wordpress.com/


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.