Genipa americana
| Genipa americana | |
|---|---|
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| Flower, fruit and leaves of Genipa americana | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Rubiaceae |
| Genus: | Genipa |
| Species: | G. americana |
| Binomial name | |
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Genipa americana L. |
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| Synonyms | |
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Genipa barbata Presl |
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Genipa barbata Presl
Genipa brasiliana A.Rich.
Genipa brasiliensis (Spreng.) Baill.
Genipa caruto Kunth in F.W.H.von Humboldt, A.J.A.Bonpland & C.S.Kunth
Genipa codonocalyx Standl.
Genipa excelsa K.Krause
Genipa grandifolia Pers.
Genipa humilis Vell.
Genipa oblongifolia Ruiz & Pav.
Genipa oleosa Rojas
Genipa pubescens DC.
Genipa venosa Standl.
Genipa americana is a species of Genipa, native to northern South America (south to Peru), the Caribbean and southern Mexico, growing in rainforests. It is commonly called genipapo, huito, or jagua, although the name jagua is also used for other Genipa species. The Inca called it hawa or wituq. In the British islands of the West Indies, it was called the marmalade box.
It is a small tree growing to 15 m tall. The leaves are opposite, lanceolate to oblong, 20–35 cm long and 10–19 cm broad, glossy dark green, with an entire margin. The flowers are white, yellow or red, with a five-lobed corolla 5–6 cm diameter. The fruit is a thick-skinned edible berry 5–8 cm diameter.
A number of varieties and forms have been described:
The leaves are a food source for the caterpillars of the Fadus Sphinx Moth (Aellopos fadus).
Genipa americana is cultivated for its edible fruit, which are made into drinks, jelly, sherbet and used in ice cream. It is also said to be useful for treatment of candiru attacks. South American Indians bathe their legs in the clear liquid obtained from the fruit. The liquid has an astringent effect. When the liquid oxidizes, it stains the skin black. These stains are permanent, but only color the top few layers of skin, and thus disappear after about a fortnight, when the skin is naturally shed. As South Americans Indians went into battle, they used to paint themselves with Genipa juice and annatto.
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Wikipedia