Botany
A tree up to 10 meters high with leathery leaves; small yellow flowers in compact clusters. The flowers have 12 stamens in groups of threes in 4 whorls. Nutritious fruit has a nutty flavor, color varying from yellow-green to purple.
Usually grown from seeds, but may be propagated by budding, grafting, and marcotting.

Constituents
Fruit: fixed oil, 6-10%; protein 1.3-6%.

Parts used
Bark, fruit, leaves and seeds.

Medicinal properties
Digestive, emmenagogue, antibacterial, antioxidant, antifungal, pectoral, stomachic, anthelmintic, antiperiodic.

Uses
Nutritional
High fat content; a good source of vitamins A, some B, C and E and potassium; fair source of iron; low in calcium. A fruit with high-energy producing value, each edible pound allegedly provides an average of 1,000 calories. A good source of monosaturated fats.
Folkloric
- The pulp is thought to promote menstruation.
- Decoction of pulverized seeds used as gargles for toothaches.
- The leaves and bark promote menstruation; the tea has been used to expel worms.
- Rheumatism and neuralgia: Pulverize seeds or bark, mix with oil and apply on affected area as
counterirritant.
- Beverage: Take decoction of leaves as tea.
- Pulp is applied to shallow cuts, prevents infection.
- Flesh of ripe fruit is soothing to sunburned skin.
Others
- Juice from seeds used to make permanent ink for fabric lettering.

Commercial availability
Seasonal fruiting and ubiquitoous market produce.