Coccoloba caracasana is commonly referred to by the name of Papaturro can actually be described as a tree belonging to the family Polygonaceae (Buckwheat family). The plant is indigenous in Mexico as well as Central America.
The tree is found across El Salvador to Panama and north South America, where it is prevalent throughout regions of the Pacific regions. Its name originates by its Greek “kokkolobis” because of the resemblance of the clusters of its fruit with the ones that is wine grape (Vitis).
In terms of economics, the species is highly valued for its edible fruits. The wood can be used for wood for firewood as well as poles. The foliage is decorative and is used to shade the area.
Pages of Contents
Plant Description
Papaturro is a small-medium-sized evergreen tree, usually multi-stemmed which can reach 6-18 m (20-60 feet.) tall. It is often with numerous trunks and puberulent-glabrescent to glabrescent branches. The plant is a fan of sandy, wet and loose soil and can be found in rivers. Leaves are simple, alternate broad-oblong, glabrous soft, 20-35cm (8-14 inches) long, rounded and truncate into subcordation at its base.
The flowers are tiny delicate, fragrant and green that are inflorescences of racemose that are arranged in lateral and terminal spikes that have a pleasant aroma which attracts bees and other insects. They are also achenes with transparent to whitish sweet and juicy edible pulp with the consistency of grapes. The edible outer parts of the fruit comprise the former perianth that becomes fleshy. A fleshy, edible fruit is made into jams. The clusters of it are similar to the grapes. It reproduces easily through the use of seeds and stakes.
History
This tree’s native habitat is Mexico as well as Central America, where the tree is found mainly in the Pacific coast, as well as in the northern part of South America. It is not often cultivated outside of its natural habitat. Papaturro is a strictly tropical tree it prefers an environment with an distinct dry season. It is also a great choice for sandy soils. It is often found near the banks of rivers. It is usually cultivated for its gorgeous foliage as well as for its shade tree.
Culinary Uses
The sweet, slightly insipid fleshy pulp that surrounds the seed is typically consumed by the palm of your hand.
During the dry seasons in Central America, you can often find children collecting fruits of trees that grow wild for eating.
More information
The leaves are used to create an ornament and is used to shade.
Wood is utilized to make wood for firewood as well as fencing poles.
It’s used to create shade trees that increase its temperature in environment and helps the species of plants that live under it.
