Parmentiera aculeata | |
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Fruit-bearing Parmentiera aculeata tree | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Lamiales |
Family: | Bignoniaceae |
Genus: | Parmentiera |
Species: | P. aculeata |
Binomial name | |
Parmentiera aculeata | |
Synonyms [2] | |
List
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Parmentiera aculeata (synonym Parmentiera edulis), commonly known as cow okra, cuajilote, guajilote, huachilote, or pepino kat, is a species of flowering tree in the family Bignoniaceae. It is native to Mexico and Central America and is known primarily for its edible fruit and medicinal properties. [3]
The specific epithet (aculeata) is derived from Latin aculeatus, which means "stinger", and refers to the thorns that are present on the nodes of young branches. The genus Parmentiera is named after French pharmacist and agronomist Antoine-Augustin Parmentier. [3]
Parmentiera aculeata is native to central Mexico south to Nicaragua. It has been introduced to southern Central America, northern South America, and the Caribbean, and is also cultivated in the United States, East Africa, Maritime Southeast Asia, and Australia. It has become an invasive species in northern Queensland. [4]
It usually grows in dry to moist thickets and lowland forests, often near waterbodies, typically at elevations around 1,200 meters (3,900 feet), and prefers well-drained, sunny areas with medium to high rainfall. [5] It is hardy to USDA zones 10–12 and is not frost tolerant. [6]
P. aculeata is a small to medium-sized tree, typically growing to heights of around 10 meters (33 feet). It is evergreen to semi-deciduous. The trunk is erect and typically measures around 30 centimeters (12 inches) in diameter. The bark is light brown to gray in color and is slightly fissured. The young branches are terete and glabrous to slightly puberulous, and the nodes contain a thick thorn that subtends each leaf. The leaves are opposite to subopposite, sometimes alternate, and are typically 3-foliate but may occasionally be 4-foliate. The petioles measure 1.3–3.5 centimeters (0.51–1.38 inches) in length, are narrowly winged, and have a strong groove on top. The leaflets are entire and elliptic to obovate in shape, while the margins may be acute or obtuse, and the bases are cuneate to attenuate. Terminal leaflets are 1.5–6 centimeters (0.59–2.36 inches) in length and 0.6–3 centimeters (0.24–1.18 inches) in width while lateral leaflets are 1.5–5 centimeters (0.59–1.97 inches) in length and 0.6–2.5 centimeters (0.24–0.98 inches) in width. The petiolules measure up to 1 centimeter (0.39 inches) in length. [7]
The inflorescences consist of few-flowered fascicles or single flowers, and are terminal or axillary near the branch tips, though may be borne of the nodes in older branches. The flowers are tubular, typically contain 5 sepals, 4 or 5 petals, and 5 anthers, and may be green, white, or purple in color. They are acute to short acuminate in their budding stage and measure 2.5–4 centimeters (0.98–1.57 inches) in length. The calyces are spathaceous. The corollas are campanulate, 5–7 centimeters (2.0–2.8 inches) in length, and 2–2.5 centimeters (0.79–0.98 inches) in width. The stamens are subexserted. The anther thecae are weakly divergent, thick, and measure 5–6 millimeters (0.20–0.24 inches) in length. The ovary is oblong to linear and lepidote, while the ovules are multiseriate. [7]
The fruit is a large, fleshy, fibrous berry of yellow-green color, and grows directly from the trunk and branches of the tree. It is somewhat cylindrical in shape, thickly ribbed, tapered, and slightly curved. It measures 8–18 centimeters (3.1–7.1 inches) in length and 3–5 centimeters (1.2–2.0 inches) in diameter, and contains numerous flat, somewhat round seeds that measure approximately 3 millimeters (0.12 inches) in diameter. [3]
P. aculeata seeds typically germinate within 1–5 weeks of planting. The tree begins flowering around 3–5 years of age. [3]
The pulp of the ripe fruit contains phenolic compounds and exhibits antioxidant and antibacterial effects. [8] The juice of the fruit was found to encourage Lactobacillus growth. [9]
An extract from the fruit was found to induce diuretic and antiurolithiatic effects in Wistar rats. [10]
Hexane extract from the fruit was found to induce cytotoxic and apoptotic effects against breast cancer cell line MDA-MB231. MTT assays conducted three days after treatment showed an IC50 value of 94.63 + 1.63 μg/ml. [11]
A guaianolide, lactucin-8-0-methylacrylate, was isolated from the dried fruits of P. aculeata in 2000. After being administered via intraperitoneal injection to diabetic mice in amounts of 300 mg/kg, blood glucose levels decreased by 43.75%, and by 29.61% in non-diabetic mice. [12]
P. aculeata fruits contain high amounts of lignocellulosic content. Unripe fruits contain cellulose content of 42.17% and lignin content of 35.26%, while ripe fruits contain cellulose content of 32.76% and lignin content of 40.79%. [13]
P. aculeata is planted as an ornamental, shade tree and live fence throughout its native range. Its fruits are edible and are eaten either raw or cooked, and are sometimes pickled or made into preserves. Its flavor is reportedly similar to sugarcane. They are also used as cattle fodder in southern Mexico. [6]
The plant is commonly used in traditional medicine. The fruit is used to treat common colds, diabetes, asthma, headaches, diarrhea, and gallstones, while the roots are used as a diuretic. [8]
Carambola, also known as star fruit, is the fruit of Averrhoa carambola, a species of tree native to tropical Southeast Asia. The edible fruit has distinctive ridges running down its sides. When cut in cross-section, it resembles a star, giving it the name of star fruit. The entire fruit is edible, usually raw, and may be cooked or made into relishes, preserves, garnish, and juices. It is commonly consumed in Southeast Asia, South Asia, the South Pacific, Micronesia, parts of East Asia, the United States, parts of Latin America, and the Caribbean. The tree is cultivated throughout tropical areas of the world.
Passiflora edulis, commonly known as passion fruit, is a vine species of passion flower native to the region of southern Brazil through Paraguay to northern Argentina. It is cultivated commercially in tropical and subtropical areas for its sweet, seedy fruit.
The Jackfruit is the fruit of Jack treeArtocarpus heterophyllus, a species of tree in the fig, mulberry, and breadfruit family (Moraceae). The jackfruit is the largest tree fruit, reaching as much as 55 kg in weight, 90 cm in length, and 50 cm in diameter. A mature jackfruit tree produces some 200 fruits per year, with older trees bearing up to 500 fruits in a year. The jackfruit is a multiple fruit composed of hundreds to thousands of individual flowers, and the fleshy petals of the unripe fruit are eaten.
Parmentiera cereifera, the candle tree, is a species of tree in the family Bignoniaceae. It is endemic to Panama, but it is also a commonly cultivated specimen in botanical gardens.
Pouteria sapota, the mamey sapote, is a species of tree native to Mexico and Central America. The tree is also cultivated in the Caribbean. Its fruit is eaten in many Latin American countries. The fruit is made into foods such as milkshakes and ice cream.
The white sapote, scientific name Casimiroa edulis, also called casimiroa and Mexican apple, and known as cochitzapotl in the Nahuatl language is a species of tropical fruiting tree in the family Rutaceae, native to eastern Mexico and Central America south to Costa Rica. The genus is named for "an Otomi Indian, Casimiro Gómez, from the town of Cardonal in Hidalgo, Mexico, who fought and died in Mexico's war of independence."
Acioa edulis of the family Chrysobalanaceae. is a fruit and timber tree, which is native of Amazon Rainforest vegetation in Brazil. The trees grow naturally only within a small area of Brazil. However, they proliferate widely within this area. The tree is around 25 meters tall, with entire leaves that are oval or round, measuring three or four inches in diameter, with a petiole up to one inch in length. Its fruits range from 8-9 centimeters in length and 4-5 centimeters in diameter. and contain a single nut. Later these nuts float on the waters and have been collected for centuries as the source of a valuable oil, but their source was unknown until 1978 when botanical explorer Ghillean Prance discovered the species of tree which produces them.
Astrocaryum murumuru is a palm native to Amazon Rainforest vegetation in Brazil, which bears edible fruits. Murumuru butter, extracted from the seeds of the plant, may be used as a moisturizer. One remarkable feature of this palm is that it is covered with spines up to twelve inches in length.
Cucurbita foetidissima is a tuberous xerophytic plant found in the central and southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It has numerous common names, but is most commonly called the buffalo gourd in English. The type specimen was collected from Mexico by Alexander von Humboldt and Aimé Bonpland sometime before 1817. In Latin, foetidissima means most unpleasant smell.
Dacryodes edulis is a fruit tree in the Burseraceae family native to Africa. Its various regional names include safou, messa, plum (Cameroon), atanga, ube, elumi (Nigeria), African pear, bush pear, African plum, nsafu, bush butter tree, or butterfruit.
Inga edulis, known as ice-cream bean, ice-cream-bean, joaquiniquil, cuaniquilguama or guaba, is a fruit native to South America. It is in the mimosoid tribe of the legume family Fabaceae. It is widely grown, especially by Indigenous Amazonians, for shade, food, timber, medicine, and production of the alcoholic beverage cachiri. It is popular in Peru, Ecuador, Pernambuco-Brazil, Venezuela, Guyana and Colombia. The taxonomic name Inga is derived from its name with the Tupí people of South America (ingá) while the species name edulis is Latin for "edible". The common name "ice-cream bean" alludes to the sweet flavor and smooth texture of the pulp.
Phulwara oil is extracted from seeds of Phulwara tree. Phulwara Trees are also known locally as Chiuri Trees, Kaeleb Trees, or Butter Nut Trees. Refined Phulwara Oil is marketed as Phulwara Ghee.
The passion fruit is the fruit of a number of plants in the genus Passiflora.
Cucumis hystrix is a monoecious annual climbing vine in the family Cucurbitaceae. The specific epithet is Neo-Latin for "porcupine".
Cucumis prophetarum is a dioecious and prostrate or climbing perennial vine in the family Cucurbitaceae. The specific epithet (prophetarum) comes from Latin propheta, meaning "prophet".
Moquilea platypus, also known as sun sapote, sansapote, and monkey apple, is a flowering tree in the family Chrysobalanaceae. The specific epithet (platypus) is Neo-Latin for "flat-footed".
Couepia polyandra, also known as olosapo, zapote amarillo, baboon cap, and monkey cap, is a flowering tree in the family Chrysobalanaceae.
Litsea garciae, also known as engkala, engkalak, kangkala, pangalaban and Borneo avocado, is a flowering plant belonging to the family Lauraceae and genus Litsea. It is native to Taiwan, the Philippines, Borneo, the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, and Sulawesi.
Eugenia calycina, also known as savannah cherry, field cherry, Jabuti cherry, Grão de galo, cerejinha, cereja do cerrado, pitanga-vermelha, red pitanga, cherry of the Cerrado, and ca-ajaboti, is a flowering shrub in the family Myrtaceae. The specific epithet (calycina) comes from Latin calycinus, meaning having a notable calyx.
Lannea edulis is a small deciduous shrub that commonly occurs in East and Southern Africa, it belongs to the Anacardiaceae family.