Franklin W. Martin

Simón E. Malo

The canistel, Pouteria campechiana (HBK) Baehni, and its close relatives, the lucmo, P. obovata HBK, and the abiu, P. caimito (Ruiz & Pav.) Radlk., are excellent fruits of the American Tropics which are not well distributed and are little known. All are about the size of an apple or an orange, and they are produced on attractive, chiefly evergreen trees. These species do well in areas with cool nights and have adapted somewhat to dry regions; the canistel seems to be the most adaptable. All can be propagated from seeds, but named varieties of lucmo are propagated by grafting. Cultural requirements are described based on the fragmentary information available. The canistel and the lucmo have a strong aroma and a mealy pulp, yellow or orange. Although the fruits are often eaten by hand, the pulp, either fresh or dry, can be used in the flavoring of drinks and desserts. The fruits are good sources of provitamin A. The fruit of the abiu is gelatinlike in consistency and must be eaten when fully ripe to avoid a sticky pulp. These three fruits merit attention and would probably be readily accepted by most people. Export markets also seem feasible.

Simón E. Malo

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