Caimito (Pouteria caimito, Sitzungsber. Math.-Phys. Cl. Königl. Bayer. Akad. Wiss. München 12: 312 (1882))

Family: Sapotaceae

Author: (Ruiz & Pav.) Radlk.

Bibliography: Sitzungsber. Math.-Phys. Cl. Königl. Bayer. Akad. Wiss. München 12: 312 (1882)

Year: 1882

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Pouteria

Vegetable: False

Observations: Trinidad to C. & S. Trop. America

Description

Caimito, scientifically known as Pouteria caimito, is a tropical fruit-bearing tree that belongs to the family Sapotaceae. First described in the publication “Sitzungsber. Math.-Phys. Cl. Königl. Bayer. Akad. Wiss. München” in 1882 by authors Ruiz & Pavón, and later revised by Radlk., the Caimito tree is notable for its glossy, dark green leaves and appealing, edible fruit.

Native to regions ranging from Trinidad to Central and South Tropical America, the Caimito thrives in warm, humid climates typical of these areas. The tree can grow to considerable heights and is known for its dense, leathery foliage. The fruit of the Caimito tree, often referred to as “caimito” or “star apple” in English, is round and consists of a thick, purple or green skin when ripe. Inside, the fruit reveals a star-shaped core filled with a sweet, milky pulp and small, shiny seeds.

Apart from its delectable taste, the caimito fruit is also appreciated for its nutritional benefits. It is rich in vitamins, particularly Vitamin C, and offers a good amount of dietary fiber. The fruit is often enjoyed fresh, but it can also be used in desserts, jams, and beverages.

Caimito has a significant cultural and economic value in tropical American regions. In local markets, the fruit is sold fresh, contributing to the livelihood of many communities. Additionally, the robust wood of the Caimito tree is sometimes used in carpentry and furniture making, although it is less common.

In summary, the Caimito tree, with its vibrant fruit and cultural importance, underscores the rich biodiversity of the tropical regions extending from Trinidad to Central and South America. Its unique characteristics make it a valuable species in both horticulture and local economies.

Common Names

Por: abio, abiorana-peluda, abiu, abiu-da-restinga, abiurana, abiurana-do-caranazal, abiurana-vermelha, gema-de-ovo, guapeva, guapeva-carvão, guapeva-mirim, sapoti-do-mato
Eng: abiu, caimito
Spa: caimo, cauje
En: Caimito, Abiu, Blueberry Pie fruit
Fr: Abiu, Egg fruit
De: Abiu
Pt: Abiu, Abeiro, Abio, Abiorana-peluda, Abiu-da-restinga, Abiurana, Abiurana-do-caranazal, Abiurana-vermelha, Gema-de-ovo, Guapeva, Guapeva-carvão, Guapeva-mirim, Sapoti-do-mato, Abiuzeiro
Es: Caimo, Cauje, Caimito, Maduraverde

Synonyms

• Guapebeira laurifolia (Gomes)
• Labatia lasiocarpa (Mart.)
• Guapeba caimito ((Ruiz & Pav.) Pierre)
• Pouteria lasiocarpa ((Mart.) Radlk.)
• Labatia caimito ((Ruiz & Pav.) Mart.)
• Pouteria laurifolia ((Gomes) Radlk.)
• Achras caimito (Ruiz & Pav.)
• Guapeba laurifolia (Gomes)
• Pouteria caimito var. laurifolia ((Gomes) Baehni)
• Guapeba lasiocarpa ((Mart.) Pierre)
• Guapebeira brasiliensis (Steud.)
• Pouteria caimito var. typica (Baehni)
• Lucuma lasiocarpa ((Mart.) A.DC.)
• Lucuma laurifolia ((Gomes) A.DC.)
• Achras guapeda (Casar.)
• Labatia reticulata (Mart.)
• Caleatia caimito ((Ruiz & Pav.) Mart. ex Steud.)
• Lucuma caimito ((Ruiz & Pav.) Roem. & Schult.)
• Richardella temare ((Kunth) Pierre)
• Lucuma temare (Kunth)
• Pouteria temare ((Kunth) Aubrév.)
• Lucuma laurifolia var. reticulata ((Mart.) A.DC.)
• Pouteria leucophaea (Baehni)

Distribution

• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Peru (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Venezuela (native)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken Dec 12, 2021 by Rizki Rizki (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 12, 2021 by Rizki Rizki (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 3, 2022 by Lessa Carlos (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 19, 2022 by Sylvain Febvre (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 7, 2020 by Cuevas Joselin (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Mar 15, 2019 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Flower

Taken Mar 15, 2019 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Bark

Taken Mar 15, 2019 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Feb 25, 2022 by Lessa Carlos (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 18, 2022 by Fernandes Mauricio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 12, 2021 by Rizki Rizki (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 29, 2020 by Arruda Junior José Carlos (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 30, 2019 by Rodríguez Ariel R. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 4, 2022 by Martins Wagner (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Habit

Taken Sep 10, 2019 by Elisa (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2884788)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:788845-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Pouteria caimito (Ruiz & Pav.) Radlk.)

Specifications

Growth