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pitomba

Talisia esculenta (A.St.-Hil.) Radlk.

Family: Sapindaceae · Genus: Talisia

brazilian longan

Secondary II Medium No biomass production
Jorge Andrade from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil · CC BY · Wikimedia Commons

Native tree of the Amazon and Atlantic Forest, from Northeastern Brazil to Rio de Janeiro. 6–12 m tall, evergreen leafy canopy, trunk 30–40 cm. Oval drupe fruits (~2.5 cm), thin brown skin turning orange at ripeness; juicy sweet pulp with 1–2 seeds — similar to Asian longan. Fruits January–March. Attracts wildlife — an elected species for forest restoration.

Götsch succession

Götsch stage
Secondary II
Ecological role
Late secondary
Primary stratum
Medium
Strata
Medium, High
Biomass class
No biomass production

Environment

Light requirement
Partial sun
Water requirement
Moderate
Drought tolerance
Moderate
Soil pH range
5–7
Preferred soil texture
Loamy, Clayey
Hardiness zones
10–12

Morphology

Mature height
6–12 m
Recommended spacing
6–8 m
Root system
Taproot
Root depth
Medium
Growth rate
Moderate
Lifespan
40–80 years
Time to first harvest
48 months
Productive lifespan
40 years

Biomes & climate

Köppen classes

Where it fits in a guild

Pitomba takes the Medium stratum in the Secondary II phase of succession — in a guild it shares the line with species from the other strata, each harvesting light at its own height, in its own time.

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Emergent High Medium · ≈12 m Low Ground cover

🪴 Cultivation

Prefers fertile, deep and well-drained soils but also grows in sandier soils; good moisture retention without waterlogging. Once established, tolerates short dry spells. Propagated by seed: depulp, clean and sow in sandy substrate in humid shade; germination in ~30 days.

📅 Phenology

Flowering months: October, November, December

Fruiting months: January, February, March

❓ Frequently asked questions

How long until the first harvest of pitomba?

The first harvest of pitomba comes around 48 months after planting.

What spacing is recommended for pitomba?

The recommended spacing for pitomba is 6–8 m.

How tall does pitomba grow?

At maturity, pitomba reaches 6–12 m tall.

When does pitomba fruit?

Fruiting of pitomba occurs in January, February, March.

When does pitomba flower?

Flowering of pitomba occurs in October, November, December.

What stage and stratum does pitomba occupy in a syntropic system?

In a syntropic system, pitomba belongs to the secondary ii stage, occupying the medium stratum.

Functions

🍎 Fruit 🍯 Melliferous

Propagation

Seed

Citations

  1. Plants of the World Online (POWO), Kew — Talisia esculenta (A.St.-Hil.) Radlk. (scientific_author, family, genus, biomes)
  2. CABI Compendium — Talisia esculenta (pitomba) (time_to_first_harvest_months, light_need)
  3. Jardineiro.net — Pitomba (Talisia esculenta) (phenology, growth_rate, height_max_m, propagation, cultivation_notes)
  4. iloveflores — Como plantar pitomba (Talisia esculenta) (ph_min, ph_max, soil_texture_preference, drought_tolerance, cultivation_notes)

External references

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