Araticum de cipo Fruit plant (Annona sp Amazonas)

Araticum de Cipó – The Rare Climbing Annona of the Amazonian Wild

A Living Wonder from the Rainforest Vines

Common Name: Araticum de Cipó
Botanical Name: Annona sp. Amazonas

Among the hidden botanical treasures of the Amazon lies a plant of deep cultural and ecological significance—Araticum de Cipó, a rare, climbing member of the Annonaceae family. Unlike its tree-bound cousins, this unique fruit plant thrives as a woody vine, adapting gracefully to the dynamic vertical spaces of rainforest ecosystems.

Known across various parts of northern Brazil, Colombia, and Peru, this climber is still relatively unknown in commercial fruiting circles, making it a prized addition to any rare fruit garden.

Plant Characteristics and Growth Pattern

• Botanical Identity: Belongs to the Annonaceae family, same as soursop and custard apple

• Growth Habit: One of the few climbing species of Annona, a vigorous vine rather than a tree

• Native Habitat: Deep-rooted in Amazonian forest belts, thriving in humid, warm climates

• Light Preference: Partial to full sun

• Fruit Bearing Time: Within 2 to 3 years when provided with optimal care

• Maintenance Level: Moderate – occasional support structures and pruning are required due to its climbing nature

The plant is admired for its ornamental leaves and floral beauty, apart from its delicious fruit.

Fruit Description and Culinary Appeal

• Size: Medium to large

• Texture: Soft, juicy, slightly fibrous pulp

• Flavor Profile: A balance of sweetness and light sourness, which makes it refreshing and palatable even in larger quantities

• Culinary Uses:

  • Enjoyed fresh by locals directly from the vine

  • Used to prepare tropical desserts, smoothies, and fermented drinks

  • Pulp occasionally mixed with honey or local sweeteners in Amazonian traditional meals

Its sweet-acidic harmony and rich aroma make it a fruit that stands out from common varieties.

Nutritional and Medicinal Value

Traditionally, this fruit has been more than just a delicacy. It carries deep healing roots in indigenous medicine:

• Antioxidant properties help fight cellular damage

• Believed to support cardiac and digestive health

• Folk medicine associates it with treatments for:

  • Epilepsy and nervous disorders

  • Dysentery and gastrointestinal ailments

  • Fevers and microbial infections

• Possesses natural compounds that may help in blood pressure regulation

These folk insights are now drawing scientific interest as the world turns back to nature for solutions.

Cultural Relevance and Traditional Use

In Amazonian communities, Araticum de Cipó is:

• Foraged directly from the wild during its fruiting season

• Offered in forest markets as a seasonal treat

• Part of local traditions in rainforest medicine

• Symbolic of ecological interdependence, due to its vine-based nature and role in forest canopy life

Cultivating it in home gardens is not only an act of preservation but also a way to connect with ancient, sustainable food practices.

Cultivation Tips for Gardeners

To grow Araticum de Cipó successfully:

• Soil: Rich, well-drained, loamy soil enriched with organic matter

• Watering: Keep evenly moist, especially during early stages

• Support: Requires a strong trellis or vertical structure for proper vine growth

• Fertilization: Feed with compost or balanced organic fertilizer bi-monthly

• Protection: Young plants may need shade nets in extremely hot regions

Its moderate maintenance needs and compact vertical growth make it suitable even for limited spaces.

Post-Harvest and Storage

Fresh fruits are best consumed soon after harvest. Here’s how to preserve them:

• Shelf Life: Short; best eaten within 2–3 days

• Preservation: Pulp can be frozen or used in homemade preserves and syrups

• Traditional Preservation: Amazonian communities sometimes dry or ferment the pulp for longer storage

Why Choose Araticum de Cipó for Your Garden

By bringing home this rare fruit vine, you don’t just grow food—you nurture a living fragment of the Amazon. Here’s why this plant is worth a place in your garden:

• A rare species not found in ordinary nurseries

• Combines medicinal value with culinary delight

• Requires only moderate care, making it ideal for passionate growers

• Aesthetic value with twining growth and striking foliage

• Symbolic of sustainable biodiversity and traditional wellness

Perfect for home gardens, rare plant collections, or anyone drawn to the wonders of wild edible vines.

Limited Availability at Veliyath Gardens

Due to its rare status and high collector interest, Araticum de Cipó is currently available in limited numbers at Veliyath Gardens. Propagation is slow and seed stocks are seasonal. We recommend early booking or reservations for those eager to add this gem to their exotic fruit garden.

Explore the exotic, taste the wild, and embrace a fruiting legacy with Araticum de Cipó—a vine that tells a story as rich as the land it comes from.