abiu

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Morton, J. 1987. Abiu. p. 406–408. In: Fruits of warm climates. Julia F.Morton, Miami, FL.

Abiu

Pouteria caimito Radlk.

Lucuma caimito Roem. & Schult.

Achras caimito Ruiz & Pavón

DescriptionOrigin and DistributionVarietiesClimateSoilSeasonPropagation and CulturePests and DiseasesFood UsesOther Uses

A minor member of the Sapotaceae, the abiu, Pouteria caimito Radlk. (syns.Lucuma caimito Roem. & Schult.; Achras caimito Ruiz & Pavón), hasacquired few vernacular names. In Colombia, it is called caimito, caimitoamarilla, caimo or madura verde; in Ecuador, luma or cauje; in Venezuela,temare; in Brazil, abiu, abi, abio, abieiro or caimito. It is called yellow starapple in Trinidad.

Description

The tree has a pyramidal or roundedcrown; is generally about 33 ft (10 m)high but may reach 115 ft (35 m) infavorable situations. A gummy latex,white or reddish, exudes from woundsin the bark. The leaves are alternateand highly variable; may be ovate-oblong, obovate or elliptic; 4 to 8 in(10-20 cm) long, 1 1/4 to 2 3/8 in (3-6

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

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Plate LVII: ABIU, Pouteria caimito

Fig. 109: The pale-yellow abiu (Poutertaicaimito) as sold in the native market ofBuenaventura, Colombia. The fruit is gummywith latex until it becomes fully ripe.

cm) wide; short-pointed at the apex,sometimes long-tapering at the base;smooth or with a few scattered hairs. The flowers, borne singly or in groupsof 2 to 5 in the leaf axils, are cylindrical, 4- to 5-lobed, white or greenish; 1/6to 1/3 in (4-8 mm) long. The fruit, downy when young, is ovoid, elliptical orround; 1 1/2 to 4 in (4-10 cm) long, sometimes having a short nipple at theapex; with smooth, tough, pale-yellow skin when ripe and fragrant, white,mucilaginous, translucent, mild-flavored, sweet or insipid pulp containing 1to 4 oblong seeds, brown, with a pale hilum on one side. Until fully ripe, thefruit is permeated with latex and is very gummy and astringent.

Origin and Distribution

The abiu is a denizen of the headwatersof the Amazon. It grows wild on thelower eastern slopes of the Andes fromsouthwestern Venezuela to Peru. It isoften cultivated around Iquitos, Peru. InEcuador, it is common in the Provinceof Guayas and the fruits are sold in themarkets of Guayaquil. It is much grownaround Pará, Brazil; less frequentlynear Rio de Janeiro, and to a limitedextent at Bahia. In Colombia, it is fairlycommon in the regions of Caquetá,Meta and Vaupés and it abounds in theadjacent areas of Amazonas, Venezuela. It has been growing for many yearsin Trinidad.

The plant explorers, Dorsett, Shamel and Popenoe, collected seeds for theUnited States Department of Agriculture in Bahia in 1914 (S.P.I. #37929). In1915, seeds were received from Lavoras, Minas, Brazil (S.P.I. #41003). Thisspecies has been planted several times at the Agricultural Research andEducation Center, Homestead, Florida, but most of the young plants havebeen 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 seedlingtrees, some having firm flesh, some soft; and some are insipid, while othershave agreeable flavor. At Puerto Ospina, along the Putamayo River inColombia, there is a type that fruits in 4 years. The fruit is round and large.Near the River Inirida, in Vaupés, Colombia, there is a type that bears in oneyear 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


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warm and moist climate, yet Popenoe noted that it does well in somewhatcooler 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 thelimestone of southern Florida.

Season

The fruits are in season in March and April in Ecuador. They are sold in someBrazilian markets from September to April but only a few are seen in themuch shorter season of February and March at Bahia. Fruits have matured inOctober in Florida. The abiu can be picked while underripe and firm fortransport to markets.

Propagation and Culture

In Brazil, the washed seeds are dried in the shade and then planted, 3together and 2 in (5 cm) deep in enriched soil. They will germinate in 15 to20 days. When the seedlings are 4 in (10 cm) high, the 2 weakest areremoved. The strong one is set out when 12 to 16 in (30-40 cm) high. Spacingis 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 commonlydamaged by small insects (bichos in Spanish and Portuguese). In Brazil, thechief pests are said to be fruit flies.

Food Uses

In Colombia, people who wish to eat the abiu. are advised to grease their lipsbeforehand to keep the gummy latex from clinging to them. It is mostly eatenout-of-hand but, in Pará, some types are used to make ices and ice cream.

Food Value Per 100 g of Edible Portion*

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


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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, iseaten to relieve coughs, bronchitis and other pulmonary complaints. Thelatex is given as a vermifuge and purge and is applied on abscesses.

Last updated: 3/28/116 by ch


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