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Summary

Clarisia racemosa is a semideciduous, tropical, dioecious tree of about 40 m tall that usually grows in upland rainforests. It has oval or pear shaped fruits that are yellow, orange, or red in colour. The bark peels off revealing orange. The fleshy fruit stalk is edible. The crown is large, round and dense. The tree is harvested from the wild for its high quality timber that used for various purposes. The wood is moderately heavy, moderately hard, but very durable and very resistant to dry wood borers and termites.

Physical Characteristics

Clarisia racemosa is a deciduous Tree growing to 25 m (82ft) by 20 m (65ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Clarisia nitida (Allem?o) J.F.Macbr. Olmedia erythrorhiza Huber ex Ducke Soaresia nitida Allem?o Sor

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

The fruit stalk is fleshy and edible.

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Furniture Wood

The tree yields a valuable timber and so is commonly harvested from the wild. The heartwood is bright yellow, becoming brown or russet, but retaining a golden lustre upon exposure; it is sharply demarcated from the 2 - 5cm wide band of white sapwood. The texture is medium to coarse; the grain variable, often decidedly roey with an attractive figure; dry specimens are without distinctive odour or taste. The wood is moderately heavy, moderately hard; very durable, but not if in contact with the soil, being very resistant to attacks by dry wood borers and termites. It seasons normally, with only a slight risk of checking or distortion; once dry it is moderately stable to stable in service. It is easy to work, though has a high blunting effect so stellite-tipped and tungsten carbide tools are recommended; it is rated fair to good in all machining operations; cross-grained material requires sharp tools to produce a smooth surface; fresh wood saws woolly; it does not take nails and screws well; glues and stains satisfactorily. A valued timber, it can be used for a wide range of purposes including making high-class furniture, cabinet work, panelling, joinery, tool handles, flooring, general construction and laminates[ 316 , 341 , 625 , 848 ].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Young plants grow best in the dappled shade of the woodland, becoming more light tolerant as they grow larger[ 625 ]. Prefers a clayey soil[ 625 ]. Young trees have a moderate rate of growth[ 625 ]. A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[ 625 ].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in individual containers - placing 2 - 3 seeds in each container. A low germination rate can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 40 - 60 days[ 625 ].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Clarisia racemosa.Other Names: Bolivia: tulpay, mururŽ. Colombia: caraco, chili, arracacho. Ecuador: I matapalo. Peru: chichillica, guariuba. Brazil: oity.

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Found In: Guianas, South America, Suriname, Venezuela.

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

None Known

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Expert comment

Author

Ruiz & Pav.

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

Clarisia racemosa - Ruiz & Pav.