Tree Species (Scientific Name)
Pouteria caimito
Food
Livestock Forage
Lumber
Medicinal
English Common Name
Abiu
Colombian Common Name
Caimito, Caimo
Tree Family
Sapotaceae
Average Leaf Size (cm)
18cm
Length
×
5cm
Width
Tree Height
Medium (20–35m)
Elevational Range (m)
0–1700m
Distribution
Native
Exotic
Native to Colombia
Native to
Region
Americas
Latin America
Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, Venezuela
Colombia
Antioquia, Huila, Nariño, Tolima, Valle del Cauca
Coffee Agroforestry Information
Coffee System
Arabica
Coffee Impact
Unknown
Cultivation
Planted
Natural
Tree Management
Propagated by seeds. In natural conditions, the germination process lasts 85 days, while in greenhouse conditions, it takes 48 days.
Tree Benefits and Uses
Farmer Uses
- Food
- Livestock Forage
- Lumber
- Medicinal
Used as forage for livestock and domestic animals like pigs. Edible fruit. Antioxidants and cell anti-proliferants are found as secondary compounds in leaves, and are also used to treat malaria and leishmaniasis in the Amazon. Used as construction beams.
Farm Services
- Reforestation
Establishment of living fences, forest plantations, and silvopastoral systems.
Biodiversity Benefits
Yes
Attracts seed dispersers. Fruits are consumed by birds and mammals (squirrels, deer, tapirs, foxes).
Citations
Citations
Plants of the World Online (POWO). (2024). Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet. Retrieved from http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/;
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). (2024). IUCN Red List. Published on the Internet. Retrieved from https://www.iucnredlist.org/;
Fern, Ken (2024). Tropical Plants Database. Published on the Internet. Retrieved from https://tropical.theferns.info/;
World Flora Online. (2024). World Flora Online. Published on the Internet. Retrieved from https://www.worldfloraonline.org/;
Universidad Nacional de Colombia. (2024). Nombres Comunes de las Plantas de Colombia. Published on the Internet. Retrieved from http://www.biovirtual.unal.edu.co/nombrescomunes/es/;
Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). (2024). GBIF. Published on the Internet. Retrieved from https://www.gbif.org/es/
Sistema de Información sobre Biodiversidad de Colombia (SIB) (2024). Catálogo de la Biodiversidad. Published on the Internet. Retrieved from: https://catalogo.biodiversidad.co/;
Acero, LE (2005). Plantas útiles de la cuenca del Orinoco. BP Exploration Company (Colombia) Limited, Ecopetrol y Corporinoquia