Black massaranduba Fruit Plant (Manilkara salzmannii)

Common Name: Black massaranduba

Botanical Name: Manilkara salzmannii

General Information:

Rare evergreen tree with a large, roundish crown. Belongs to the Sapotaceae family.

Grows from 10 to 25 meters tall with a straight, cylindrical bole (40 - 70 cm in diameter).

Native to Northern South America, specifically southern, eastern, and northeastern Brazil. The edible fruit is gathered from the wild and consumed locally.

Fruits are approximately 3 cm in diameter, containing 1-2 hard seeds enclosed in a sweet, succulent pulp. The tree provides wood and latex for local use.

Medicinal Uses:

Parts of the tree are used in alternative medicine. Known to treat coughs and colds.

Possesses diuretic, antidiarrheal, antibiotic, antihyperglycemic, and hypocholesterolemic effects.

Cultivation Details:

Bloom Time/Fruiting: 3 to 4 Years

Maintenance Required: Moderate