Botanical Name:Hancornia speciosa
Family: Apocynaceae
Subfamily: Rauvolfioideae
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Gentianales
Tribe: Willughbeieae
Subtribe: Lacmelleinae
Genus: Hancornia
Species:H. speciosa
Synonyms:
Echites glaucus Roem. & Schult.
Hancornia pubescens Nees & Mart.
Willughbeia pubescens (Nees & Mart.) Mart.
Hancornia gardneri (A.DC.) Miers
Common Names: Mangaba Rubber Tree, Mangabiera, name of the fruit is Magaba
Habitat:Mangaba is native to South America (Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay)Although Mangaba is a native fruit species of Brazil, but also occurs in Paraguay, Bolivia and Peru. The genus is monotypic, and there are six botanical varieties. H. speciosa var. speciosa is the most widely distributed occurring in the Cerrado, coastal tablelands and lowlands of Brazil.
It grows naturally in regions with average temperatures between 24-26°C. The rainfall is 1,400 mm per year. It can grow in the temperature range of 15-43°C. It grows in sandy soils.
Description:
Hancornia speciosa is a deciduous tree growing to 7 m (23ft) by 5 m (16ft) at a slow rate, with a low, globose crown. The crooked bole is profusely branched and around 20 – 30cm in diameter. The plant provides an edible fruit that is popular and commonly used locally, as well as a latex that has been exported in the past as a source of rubber. It is usually harvested from the wild, but is also sometimes cultivated for its fruit, which are often sold in local markets....CLICK & SEE
Cultivation:
Climate: tropical. Humidity: semi-arid to humid. A plant of the ‘Caatinga’ dry forest region of northeast Brazil. The climate is hot and dry, there are usually 6 to 11 months without rain each year. The mean annual rainfall varies from 250 – 1,000mm, and the mean annual temperature is from 24 – 26°c. Requires a sunny position to be at its best. Grows best in a sandy soil, often growing in quite poor soils in the wild. Established plants are drought tolerant. Young plants grow slowly and are difficult to cultivate. A very variable plant, a number of varieties have been described. Plants grow slowly. Carbon Farming – Cultivation: regional crop. Management: standard.
Edible Uses:
The fruit is eaten raw or cooked. The fruit needs to be very ripe and soft (fallen to the ground) to be free of any latex or bitterness. Fully ripe fruits have a delicious, succulent, viscous, sweet, aromatic pulp. A pleasant subacid flavour. The fruit can also be made into a juice, sherbet, preserves etc. It is much esteemed as a marmalade in parts of Brazil. The fruit is 3 – 6cm in diameter.
Medicinal Uses: The plant is an excellent remedy for bilious complaints.
Other Uses:
The tree is a source of mangabeira rubber, which is of good quality and has in the past been exported from parts of Brazil. The wood is light, spongy, soft and easy to work with. It has little durability, even when protected from the weather. It is only used for making boxes and for fuel. Carbon Farming – Industrial Crop: hydrocarbon.
Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hancornia
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Hancornia+speciosa
