Pouteria caimito (Ruiz & Pav.) Radlk.

Pouteria caimito or abiu is a tropical fruit tree believed to be native to the upper Amazon River, and became an important component of Native American gardens since the pre-Columbian era. Its fruit, rich in minerals and vitamins, is commonly consumed fresh or processed into ice cream and juice, while various parts of the plant are traditionally used to treat cough, bronchitis, and digestive disorders.

Abiu is generally found growing in forests, especially in seasonally flooded areas, and along coastlines, at elevations from sea level up to 1,500 m asl. It is a hot, wet tropical fruit crop that requires a humid, warm climate year-round. This species grows well in full sun, in fertile, wet soil. Its growth also prefers acidic soil. However, abiu is not frost-tolerant.

• Stem straight, exuding white or reddish sap.
• Leaves alternate, elliptic to oblong-lanceolate, varying in size from 10-20 cm, 3-6 cm wide, green, veins pinnate, shortly pointed at the tip, sometimes long-tapering at the base, margin wavy. Petiole short, green.
• Flowers small, hermaphroditic, appearing singly or in clusters (about 2-5 flowers) from the leaf axils, growing on slender, elongated shoots. Each flowering branch produces about 20-280 flowers. Petals four to five, white, cream to greenish, corolla tube cylindrical about 5 mm long. Has four overlapping sepals that are light green. Flowers bloom in the morning and remain open for about two days.
• Fruit a berry, varying in shape from round to oblong, finely hairy and green when young, turning bright yellow with smooth skin when ripe. The flesh is whitish and translucent (clear), mucilaginous, soft in texture, juicy like cream or jelly, sweet-tasting with a rambutan-like aroma. Sometimes has a short "nipple" at the base of the fruit. Fruit that is not fully ripe produces latex that sticks to the lips. Has thin skin that bruises easily. Fruit stalk short and exuding sap.
• Seeds one to four per fruit, ovoid, dark brown to black with a pale hilum on one side. Seeds covered by a thin layer of pulp.

• Plant propagation is generative through seed. Once extracted from the fruit, seeds cannot survive more than a few days and therefore must be planted as soon as possible into clean, well-drained medium. Seeds will germinate within 15 to 20 days. Seedlings can be planted in the orchard once they reach 6-8 months of age after sowing. Planting spacing is 6 x 5 m. One year later, the lower branches are pruned and the plant will begin fruiting within 3 years and significantly by 5 years.
• Propagation can also be done vegetatively using budding techniques. Budded abiu trees will fruit between 1-2 years after being planted in the orchard.

Palmitic acid, α-copaene, hexadecyl acetate, taraxerol, ß-sitosterol, lupeol, α-amyrin, erythrodiol, the tetracyclic triterpene dammarenediol II, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1,2,4-triazole, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, 1-methyl-5-fluorouracil, trans-geranylgeraniol, squalene, spinasterol, alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, lapachol, phenylpropanoids, and benzenoids.

Treats cough, colds, bronchitis, various lung disorders, diarrhea, abscesses, boils, an anthelmintic, a laxative, heals swollen wounds, reduces fever, maintains eye and digestive health, strengthens the body's immunity, aids weight loss, improves skin health. Has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antianemic, anticancer, and antioxidant activity.

Sawo Australia, Sawo mangga.