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Summary

Umari, Poraqueiba sericea, is an evergreen, tropical, and fairly fast-growing tree with no known medicinal uses. It can be found in South America particularly in northern Brazil, where it grows usually about 15-25 m tall with a dense pyramidal canopy. Its bole is straight and about 30-50 cm in diameter. Established plants are tolerant to drought but not to flooding. The fruits are edible specifically the fleshy pulp. It can be consumed raw or cooked. It yields oil which is edible as well. The wood is ideal for carpentry and construction but is mostly used for making charcoal. The plant can be grown from seeds and germination takes about 4-6 weeks after sowing.

Physical Characteristics

Poraqueiba sericea is an evergreen Tree growing to 20 m (65ft) by 18 m (59ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Poraqueiba acuminata Miers

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Oil Seed
Edible Uses: Oil

Fruit - raw or cooked[416 ]. The fleshy pulp has a peculiar taste and aroma[416 ]. It is often served with manioc flour[3 ]416, and is made into a 'butter' for spreading on bread[355 ]. The fruit contains 12% oil and is rich in starch[317 ]. The yellowish fruit is around 7cm long and 5cm wide[416 ]. An edible oil is obtained from the fruit pulp and the seed[420 ].

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

Charcoal Fuel Oil Wood

Agroforestry Uses: The tree is often interplanted with crops such as Brazil nut, cashew, uvilla, and Inga species that grow well in poor, clay soils[355 ]. Other Uses Children cut the endosperm of the fruit into thin, opaque slices to make toy glasses[355 ]. The wood is medium to thick-textured, straight-grained, moderately heavy, hard, with moderate mechanical properties and not durable[420 ]. It is suitable for carpentry and internal use in construction[317 , 355 ]. It is popular for making charcoal[355 ].

Special Uses

Food Forest

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in a sunny position and in dappled shade[420 ]. Trees can grow well in very poor, heavy clay soils[355 ]. Intolerant of flooding[355 ]. Established plants are drought tolerant[420 ].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in individual containers. A medium germination rate can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 28 - 42 days[420 ]. Plants should be ready to plant out 7 - 8 months later[420 ].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Mari-preto, Umari-roxo, caniba, capibare, guacure, madi, mari, umarí, yumari, yuí.

Native Plant Search

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Found In

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

Brazil; Peru; Colombia; Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of; Ecuador, Amazon, Ecuador, , South America,

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.

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

Tul.

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.

Poraqueiba sericea - Tul.