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Bunchosia armeniaca (Cav.) DC.
| Family Name: | Malpighiaceae |
| Synonyms: | Malpighia armeniaca Cav. |
| Common Name: | Peanut Butter Fruit, Marmela, Marmelo, Ameixa do Peru, Bunchoise des Andes, 文雀西亚木 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 5 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Tropical South America |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A small sized tree usually grows to 5 m high under cultivation. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | The opposite leaves are ovate with waved margins. The midrib and the secondary veins are prominent. Flowers: Flowers are borne in inflorescence. The individual flower is yellow and lightly scented. |
| Fruit | The fruits are egg-shaped with pointed tips, about 3 cm long, ripening from green to orange or red. Two seeds are enclosed in one fruit. |
| Cultivation | The plants do well in moist, well-drained soils that rich in organic matter. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits Food (Fruit or Vegetable): The fruit flesh is edible, sweet and slightly sour. It can be consumed raw, but more often it's used as a food flavoring. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Fruits |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | General, Parks & Gardens |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.0 (Tree - Intermediate Canopy) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Orange, Red |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1471 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2764 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |