Jacaratia boliviana Rusby
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Authority
Rusby, Henry H. 1927. Descriptions of New Genera and Species of Plants Collected on the Mulford Biological Exploration of the Amazon Valley 1921-1922. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 7: 205-387.
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Family
Caricaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Species Description - This species was described (Rusby, Bull. N. Y. Bot. Gard. 8: 107. 1912) from specimens collected by Mr. R. S. Williams at Charapampa, Bolivia, in late September 1901. These specimens, staminate only, were in flower, and no information regarding the fruit was obtained. In late November, 1921, the species was again collected (no. 1877) by Mr. Martin Cardenas, a member of the Mulford Exploration party, at Rurrenabaque, at a somewhat lower altitude, the specimens bearing fruit nearly, if not quite mature. In the young state, the fruit is obovoid, with tapering base and acutish summit. As it approaches maturity, it fills out at both base and summit, and approaches the ellipsoidal form, although the base remains a little narrower than the summit, even in my largest specimen. This, in the pressed and dried state, is about 8 cm. long, by nearly 4 cm. wide. It bears a short annulate stem, nearly as thick as long, and the subsessile black stigma. The color of the fruit is light-yellow, although it may be darker at full maturity. It is known locally as "Papaya del Monte," or Wild Papaw, and is said to be edible.