Gustavia superba

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

Gustavia superba is an understorey 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]

Ecology

G. fosteri 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 cauliflorously (on the trunk). Inside the hard green shell that contain 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]

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. 1 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. ↑ http://floraofsingapore.wordpress.com/2011/04/14/gustavia-superba/
  6. ↑ http://botanybucketlist.wordpress.com/


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