Gustavia speciosa (Kunth) DC. subsp. speciosa

  • Authority

    Prance, Ghillean T. & Mori, S. A. 1979. Lecythidaceae - Part I. The actinomorphic-flowered New World Lecythidaceae (Asteranthos, Gustavia, Grias, Allantoma & Cariniana). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 21: 1-270. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Lecythidaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Gustavia speciosa (Kunth) DC. subsp. speciosa

  • Description

    Description - Trees, medium sized, to 10 m tall (fide Romero-Castaneda). Leaf blades narrowly elliptic to lanceolate, 21-44 x 6-10(-14) cm, with a length to width ratio of 3.2-4.8, with 16-21 pairs of lateral veins. Petioles (20-)40-80 mm. Flowers usually with a calyx of 4 rounded, triangular or irregularly incised lobes, 2-10 x 2-13 mm wide; ovary walls puberulous to rusty-tomentose.

  • Discussion

    Gustavia speciosa subsp speciosa is cultivated for its edible fruits. The edible portion of the fruit is the yellowish pulp that surrounds the seeds. This is sucked from the fruit raw or is cooked with meat and rice (Romero-Castaneda, 1969). Sucking the pulp gave rise to the common name “chupo” which comes from the Spanish verb chupar (to suck).

    Humboldt, Bonpland and Kunth (1825) reported the fruits to be eagerly sought after by youngsters who, after consuming too many, took on a yellowish cast. The yellow color disappeared 24-48 hours later without requiring medical attention.

    On a visit to Mariquita, Colombia vendors at fruit stands informed me that the fruits of this variety are sold at two different times of the year. The initial harvest is in January and another follows in July and August.

  • Common Names

    Chupo, Chopé

  • Distribution

    This subspecies is native to the Interandean Valleys of Colombia and Ecuador and is cultivated in several lowland localities for its edible fruit.

    Colombia South America| Bolívar Colombia South America| Antioquia Colombia South America| Cundinamarca Colombia South America| Tolima Colombia South America| Ecuador South America| Esmeraldas Ecuador South America| Peru South America| Loreto Peru South America|