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Page 42 · DO #466 · 204_Popenoe_Bx33FF36r
- Collection
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Wilson Popenoe (1892–1975) family papers
- Item/Folder
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The Nut Fruits, Miscellaneous Fruits - manuscripts, notes, correspondence - chapter in outline for proposed book with Herbert Wolfe, n.d.
- Digital Object
-
DO #466,
page 42
- Collection-level dates
- 1882–1975
Page transcription
10
Red Mombin (Spondias purpurea)
Native to tropical America, the red mombin is a fruit of considerable importance in many parts of Mexico and Central America, but is not planted commercially anywhere. Fruit from dooryard trees appears commonly in village markets. In Mexico and Guatemala it is known by its ancient Nahuatl name Xocote, and in the West Indies it is often called Spanish-plum. In many Spanish-speaking countries, it is known simply as ciruela (plum). The tree flourishes from sea level up to 6000 ft. of elevation in the tropics but is intolerant of frost. It thrives in both wet and dry regions.
The red mombin forms a small spreading tree, with stiff trunk and rather stout twigs, rarely over 25 ft. high, and deciduous for a few months of dry or cool season. Leaves pinnately compound, 6 to 9 in. long, with 15 to 21 leaflets, 1 to 1½ in. long. Small clusters of purple flowers are produced from the previous season's twigs before new leaves appear. About 5 months later the fruits are mature. They are maroon or purplish red, oblong or oval, from 1 to 2 in. long, and usually are borne in clusters of 2 or 3, or singly. The soft, juicy, acidulous flesh is covered by a thin, delicate skin and encloses a large stone with rough surface. Very often there is no seed inside the stone. Unfortunately, the amount of edible flesh is commonly small in relation to stone size, but occasional seedlings have large fruits with sufficient flesh to be worth propagating. The somewhat aromatic flesh is eaten out of hand commonly, but may be stewed as preserves, or boiled and dried for future use. There is a yellow-fruited form in cultivation in the West Indies, called S. purpurea var. lutea. It has yellow flowers and fruit, larger tree and leaves, and later season of maturity, all characters which suggest that it may be hybrid of S. purpurea with S. taitensis, the yellow mombin or jobo. Fruit quality is like the red mombin, however.
Propagation is commonly by large stem cuttings, 2 ft. long, of wood 1 yr. old or more. Set half their length in the ground at the beginning of the rainy season,
