Imbu (Spondias tuberosa)

Family: Anacardiaceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Spondias tuberosa, also known as Imbu or Brazil Plum, is a slow-growing tree native to northeast Brazil. It has a low, flat top, wide and highly dense crown and it reaches a height of about 6 m upon maturity. The bark is smooth and gray. The leaves are compound, with each leaf comprising 3-7 thin leaflets. The flowers are white, fragrant and located at the ends of branches.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

pleasant subacid flavour suggestive of a sweet orange. — Fruit - raw or cooked.; The greenish-yellow, thick-skinned fruit has a soft, melting, almost liquid flesh with a pleasant subacid flavour suggestive of a sweet orange.; It is also made into ice creams, jams, jellies and drinks.; A custard-like dessert called imbuzada is made in northern Brazil by adding the fruit juice to boiled sweet milk.

Habitat & North American Range

Semi-arid scrublands. (Zone 10)