Abiu

https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/abiu.html

Index | Search | Home | Morton

Morton, J. 1987. Abiu. p. 406408. In: Fruits of warm climates. Julia F.
Morton, Miami, FL.

Abiu
Pouteria caimito Radlk.
Lucuma caimito Roem. & Schult.
Achras caimito Ruiz & Pavn
Description
Origin and Distribution
Varieties
Climate
Soil
Season
Propagation and Culture
Pests and Diseases
Food Uses
Other Uses

A minor member of the Sapotaceae, the abiu, Pouteria caimito Radlk. (syns.
Lucuma caimito Roem. & Schult.; Achras caimito Ruiz & Pavn), has
acquired few vernacular names. In Colombia, it is called caimito, caimito
amarilla, caimo or madura verde; in Ecuador, luma or cauje; in Venezuela,
temare; in Brazil, abiu, abi, abio, abieiro or caimito. It is called yellow star
apple in Trinidad.
Description
The tree has a pyramidal or rounded
crown; is generally about 33 ft (10 m)
high but may reach 115 ft (35 m) in
favorable situations. A gummy latex,
white or reddish, exudes from wounds
in the bark. The leaves are alternate
and highly variable; may be ovateoblong, obovate or elliptic; 4 to 8 in
(10-20 cm) long, 1 1/4 to 2 3/8 in (3-6

1 of 4

28/03/16 13:21

Abiu

https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/abiu.html

cm) wide; short-pointed at the apex,

Plate LVII: ABIU, Pouteria caimito
sometimes long-tapering at the base;
smooth or with a few scattered hairs. The owers, borne singly or in groups
of 2 to 5 in the leaf axils, are cylindrical, 4- to 5-lobed, white or greenish; 1/6
to 1/3 in (4-8 mm) long. The fruit, downy when young, is ovoid, elliptical or
round; 1 1/2 to 4 in (4-10 cm) long, sometimes having a short nipple at the
apex; with smooth, tough, pale-yellow skin when ripe and fragrant, white,
mucilaginous, translucent, mild-avored, sweet or insipid pulp containing 1
to 4 oblong seeds, brown, with a pale hilum on one side. Until fully ripe, the
fruit is permeated with latex and is very gummy and astringent.
Origin and Distribution
The abiu is a denizen of the headwaters
of the Amazon. It grows wild on the
lower eastern slopes of the Andes from
southwestern Venezuela to Peru. It is
often cultivated around Iquitos, Peru. In
Ecuador, it is common in the Province
of Guayas and the fruits are sold in the
markets of Guayaquil. It is much grown
around Par, Brazil; less frequently
Fig. 109: The pale-yellow abiu (Poutertai
near Rio de Janeiro, and to a limited
caimito) as sold in the native market of
extent at Bahia. In Colombia, it is fairly Buenaventura, Colombia. The fruit is gummy
with latex until it becomes fully ripe.
common in the regions of Caquet,
Meta and Vaups and it abounds in the
adjacent areas of Amazonas, Venezuela. It has been growing for many years
in Trinidad.
The plant explorers, Dorsett, Shamel and Popenoe, collected seeds for the
United States Department of Agriculture in Bahia in 1914 (S.P.I. #37929). In
1915, seeds were received from Lavoras, Minas, Brazil (S.P.I. #41003). This
species has been planted several times at the Agricultural Research and
Education Center, Homestead, Florida, but most of the young plants have
been killed by winter cold. A few trees planted in 1953 fruited in 1962.
Varieties
There is much variation in the form, size and quality of the fruits of seedling
trees, some having rm esh, some soft; and some are insipid, while others
have agreeable avor. At Puerto Ospina, along the Putamayo River in
Colombia, there is a type that fruits in 4 years. The fruit is round and large.
Near the River Inirida, in Vaups, Colombia, there is a type that bears in one
year from seed, but the fruits are small with little pulp.
Climate
The abiu is strictly tropical or near-tropical. It thrives best in a year-around

2 of 4

28/03/16 13:21

Abiu

https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/abiu.html

warm and moist climate, yet Popenoe noted that it does well in somewhat
cooler Rio de Janeiro. In Peru it has not been found above 2,000 ft (650 m),
though in Colombia, it can be grown up to an elevation of 6,000 ft (1,900 m).
Soil
The tree is naturally suited to fertile, wet soil. It is subject to chlorosis in the
limestone of southern Florida.
Season
The fruits are in season in March and April in Ecuador. They are sold in some
Brazilian markets from September to April but only a few are seen in the
much shorter season of February and March at Bahia. Fruits have matured in
October in Florida. The abiu can be picked while underripe and rm for
transport to markets.
Propagation and Culture
In Brazil, the washed seeds are dried in the shade and then planted, 3
together and 2 in (5 cm) deep in enriched soil. They will germinate in 15 to
20 days. When the seedlings are 4 in (10 cm) high, the 2 weakest are
removed. The strong one is set out when 12 to 16 in (30-40 cm) high. Spacing
is 17 x 20 ft (6 x 5 m). One year later, the lower branches are pruned.
Fruiting will begin in 3 years; will be substantial in 5 years.
Pests and Diseases
Actually, the fruit has little value commercially because it is commonly
damaged by small insects (bichos in Spanish and Portuguese). In Brazil, the
chief pests are said to be fruit ies.
Food Uses
In Colombia, people who wish to eat the abiu. are advised to grease their lips
beforehand to keep the gummy latex from clinging to them. It is mostly eaten
out-of-hand but, in Par, some types are used to make ices and ice cream.
Food Value Per 100 g of Edible Portion*

3 of 4

Calories

95

Moisture

74.1 g

Protein

2.1 g

Lipids

1.1 g

Glycerides

22.0 g

Fiber

3.0 g

Ash

0.7 g

28/03/16 13:21

Abiu

https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/abiu.html

Calcium

96.0 mg

Phosphorus

45.0 mg

Iron

1.8 mg

Vitamin B,

0.2 mg

Vitamin B2

0.2 mg

Niacin

3.4 mg

Ascorbic Acid

49.0 mg

Amino Acids (mg per g of nitrogen [N 6.25])

Lysine

316 mg

Methionine

178 mg

Threonine

219 mg

Tryptophan

57 mg

*According to analyses made in Brazil.

Other Uses
Wood: The wood is dense and heavy, hard, and valued for construction.
Medicinal Uses: In Brazil, the pulp, because of its mucilaginous nature, is
eaten to relieve coughs, bronchitis and other pulmonary complaints. The
latex is given as a vermifuge and purge and is applied on abscesses.
Last updated: 3/28/116 by ch

4 of 4

28/03/16 13:21