Flora
Some of the most economically important
flora and the fruits that you will see here. |
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Dendê
(African oilpalm)
Culturally, the most important plant of the region, to
the extent that it gives the name to the Dendê Coast.
From this fruit is extracted, the oil essential for moqueca,
acarajé and countless other Bahian delicacies.
They are great palm trees, with bunches of dark fruits
that become orange when ripe.
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Piassava (Piaçaba)
From the fibers extracted from the dry leaves of this
palm tree, everything from rooftops to brooms is manufactured.
The fiber is waterproof and very resistant, and it is
the motor of a considerable regional production network.
The fruit, besides having an almond, has an extremely
hard woody layer, used by craftsmen.
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Coconut Palm
Different from every other species, the coconut palm,
despite even being called the Bahia coconut palm, is not
native to Brazil. It was brought over from India by the
Portuguese, but its precise origin is unknown. It fit
very well with the land and the island’s environment,
serving as shelter for several animal species.
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Bromeliads
There are countless species living on trees, rocks and
even on the ground of the island’s woods and sand
banks. Besides exuberant flowerings, their sizes amaze:
some have few millimeters, others 2 or 3 meters! (6 to
10 feet!) |
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Orchids
There are several different species of them in the Atlantic
Rain Forest. The ones from the vanila genus have the most
impressive size, being able to surpass ten meters (over
30 feet).
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| Fruits |
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Cashew (Cajú)
The fruit is actually the nut supported in this pseudo
fruit. It is green and very astringent. The nut is surrounded
by a shell containing very toxic oil. The toasted nut
and the fruit’s juices are great!
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Sugar apple (Pinha)
Known in other regions as “fruta-do-conde”
(“count’s fruit”). There is more than
one kind in the island: one sweet, with rounded segments,
and another acid, with tiny tips. |
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Mangaba
When green it is milky and has a repugnant taste. Ripe,
it’s delicious. Its pulp is dense and a bit sticky.
It has several bumps and lends its name to the island’s
high point, the Mangaba Hill.
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Cupuassu (Cupuaçú)
A big fruit, around 30 cm (12 inches) big, acid and with
a very strong smell. It’s hard to eat it. It comes
from the Amazon and its juice is delicious.
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Cajá or Hog plum
Of African origin, it is common in the Brazilian Northeast.
It is a small, reddish-orange sweet fruit. The tree is
huge and full of thorns, but the juice is excellent. |
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Ingá
Though it is sweeter, it can be mistaken for the tamarind,
which is originally from Africa. There are several different
kinds of this pod throughout Brazil
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Guava (Goiaba)
It was already grown in Brazil before the Portuguese arrived.
It is the fruit of a myrtaceous tree and is used for treating
diarrhea.
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Acelora or Barbados cherry
Brought over from Central America and very widespread
due to its reputation for preventing wrinkles. It is now
cultivated throughout the country.
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Açaí, Assai or Cabbage
palm
The fruit of an Amazonian palm tree, its pulp is now sold
throughout the country. It is very energetic, and is delicious
when served cool and frosted with granola. |
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Mango
Originally from Southern Asia, it is widespread throughout
Brazil. There are several varieties, and its sweet and
tasty pulp is very nutritive.
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Passion fruit (Maracujá)
The fruit of a climbing tree, it comes in several varieties
and is grown throughout Brazil. It is used as a natural
calmative.
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Umbu
A small, bittersweet fruit. It survives in the driest
regions of the Brazilian Northeast. |
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Pitanga or Brazil cherry
Another tasty myrtaceous, but smaller. It is found in
most of Brazil.
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Red Mombin (Siriguela)
A tiny yellowish fruit, similar to cajá, only much
sweeter.
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Papaya (Mamão)
One of Brazil’s most famous fruits. There are several
varieties, of diverse shapes and sizes.
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![Morro de Sao Paulo Papaya]](../images/natur/mamao.jpg) |
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Araçá or Cattley
guava
A close relative of the guava, it can be easily mistaken
for it by the less attentive. Its taste is stronger and
the fruit is smaller.
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Jackfruit (Jaca)
Originally from India, it can weigh up to 15 kilograms
(33 pounds). There are two kinds, one soft and the other
hard, and its smell is extremely sweet and very particular.
It has a stringy pulp and those who approach it unawares
are left with sticky fingers.
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Watermelon (Melancia)
Along with the melon and the cucumber, it is part of an
easily interbreeding group, so its origin is imprecise.
It comes from somewhere between Egypt and India and the
Middle East. The entire family is common in Brazil, though
it is easily perishable.
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Cocoa (Cacau)
From the toasted bean of this Amazon fruit, chocolate
is made. The fruit’s pulp is also very tasty, and
it is grown almost everywhere in the Brazilian Northeast.
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Cherimoya (Graviola)
A big fruit, over two kilograms (2.5 pounds) heavy. It
has a white pulp and a unique aroma.
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Malay apple (Jambo)
The fruit is the size of an apple. It is dark red outside
and white inside. It comes from Malaysia, but it fit quite
well in Brazil.
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Breadfruit (Fruta-pão)
Originally from the Malay archipelago. As its name it
suggests, it is very rich in starch and can be turned
into bread flour as well as fried. The tree is exuberant,
and is also used for ornamental work. |
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Pineapple
Actually the inflorescence of a bromeliad. Several other
bromeliads have similar flowers, but only the pineapple
is edible, with its sweet and acid taste.
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