Most likely a Pouteria species, and (judging by the name) probably native to the (Ecuadorian?) Amazon, and probably bears edible fruit, but I don’t know any of that for sure. Anyone have an idea as to what it could be?
this post was submitted on 20 Apr 2025
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Based on nothing except what the fruit lady called it - maybe Pouteria caimito? If it is they sound delicious!
Definitely not. These leaves are much broader and lighter green than Pouteria caimito, and the shape is obovate-oblong; P. caimito has darker green, more lanceolate leaves with slightly wavy or "scruffy" margins. I'm not even sure that it is a Pouteria, but the spiral leaf arrangement and the "caimito" name makes that seem like the most probable genus.
As far as I know, Pouteria caimito is called "abiu" or "avio" everywhere in Ecuador, though the indigenous tribes probably all have their own names for it as well. The fruits commonly called "caimito" are Chrysophyllum cainito and Chrysophyllum venezuelanense, but that genus does not have the spirally-arranged leaves. Is everything a "caimito" now? I remember when everything was a custard apple...