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Common Names: Cocoplum, Paradise Plum, Icaco
Botanical Name: Chrysobalanus Icaco
Gracefully balancing between a fruiting tree and an ornamental shrub, Chrysobalanus Icaco—popularly known as Cocoplum or Paradise Plum—is a resilient evergreen native to the coastal zones of West Africa, the Caribbean islands, and parts of Central and South America. This fruit-bearing plant, often seen lining shorelines and gardens alike, carries both visual appeal and nutritional significance.
The fruit of the Cocoplum plant is plum-sized and varies in color from white to deep purple when ripe. Its flesh offers a mildly sweet to slightly acidic taste, often compared to a blend of cranberry and grape with a subtle tartness. The taste becomes more pronounced and enjoyable when the fruit is fully ripe. Its inner seed, though hard, is edible and yields a nutty, oil-rich kernel that can be roasted and eaten.
Cocoplum fruits are:
Consumed raw as a fresh snack.
Commonly used to prepare jams, preserves, chutneys, and homemade jellies.
Occasionally added to tropical fruit salads for a tangy touch.
Seeds are used traditionally in some regions as a nut substitute in baking.
In Afro-Caribbean and South American folk culture, Cocoplum is revered not just for its taste, but for its healing and balancing effects. The plant has long been considered a symbol of coastal resilience—growing unbothered by salt-laden winds and sandy soils, often used to stabilize coastal dunes. In many local traditions, the fruit is offered during community gatherings and village feasts.
Cocoplum is more than a garden beauty—it's a functional food loaded with wellness benefits:
Rich in antioxidants, helping to reduce oxidative stress and combat premature aging.
Contains lipoprotein cholesterol which plays a key role in maintaining healthy arteries and heart function.
Promotes eye health, thanks to the presence of natural pigments that support vision.
Improves skin tone and hydration, making it a fruit loved in tropical beauty regimes.
Enhances bone density and supports mineral balance in the body.
Known for its cancer-preventive properties, especially in local medicinal use across parts of Africa.
Whether planted as a hedge, ornamental border, or a standalone fruit plant, Cocoplum adapts beautifully in tropical and sub-tropical regions.
Blooming/Fruiting Period: Starts fruiting in 2 to 3 years after planting.
Maintenance Level: Moderate, with occasional pruning to shape.
Soil Preference: Grows well in sandy, well-drained soils, tolerates salinity.
Watering Needs: Regular watering in the early stages; established trees are drought-tolerant.
Sun Exposure: Prefers full sun, though it can manage light shade.
Fresh cocoplum fruits can be:
Stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Turned into preserves or jams, which extend shelf life up to several months.
Dried or juiced and frozen for future use.
The seeds, once extracted and cleaned, can be air-dried and roasted for snack use or stored for propagation.
Imagine a plant that brings shade, blooms, fruits, health, and coastal elegance all in one package. With Cocoplum, you are not just nurturing a tree, but embracing a lifestyle. Its fruits add a flavorful twist to your kitchen, while the plant itself offers visual softness and ecological value to your garden space.
This low-maintenance yet nutritionally potent plant is a smart choice for health-conscious gardeners and plant lovers alike.
At Veliyath Gardens, we cultivate and care for rare tropical species like Cocoplum with a mission to reconnect people with plants that nourish both body and spirit. If you're seeking a unique addition to your fruit garden, ornamental landscape, or simply want to grow something purposeful, Cocoplum (Chrysobalanus Icaco) is the fruit plant to choose.
Bring home this coastal classic and let it root its benefits in your life.
