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Abiu

Pouteria caimito

Abiu is a rare evergreen tree from the Amazon, a cousin of mamey sapote and canistel. Its smooth yellow fruit holds soft, see-through white flesh like a sweet jelly; good trees are mild and sweet, poor seedlings are bland. It hates cold and wind, so it's only for the warmest, most sheltered spots in south Florida and similar places.

Tree facts

Scientific name
Pouteria caimito
Origin
Amazon basin, South America
Tree size
30–40 ft if left alone; UF/IFAS suggests keeping it at 8–12 ft with yearly pruning
Growth rate
Medium
Sun
Full sun, in the warmest corner of the yard, out of steady wind. Plant it at least 25 ft from other trees and buildings.
Soil
Fertile, well-drained soil that doesn't stay wet after summer rain; on low ground, plant on a mound. Alkaline soil tends to cause iron deficiency.
Soil pH
5.5–7.5
Pollination
Not well studied. The flowers are bisexual and are probably pollinated by flying insects.
Cold hardiness
Young trees can be killed below 32°F and mature trees at 29–31°F. Even cool, windy weather above freezing sets it back.
USDA zones
10–11
Years to first fruit
3–4 from seed (2–5 in practice); 1–2 for a grafted tree
Season
Sep–Nov
Water
About every 7 days once established, without rain; more in heat, in pots and while young
Feeding
About every 90 days, Feb–Jul
Pruning
Feb–Mar
Taste
Mild and sweet in good trees, with a soft, jelly-like texture; bland in poor seedlings
Nutrition
Contains vitamin A, vitamin C, phosphorus and calcium

Is abiu safe to eat? Edible and toxic parts

What you can eat

  • Ripe flesh, eaten fresh

Toxic parts and cautions

  • Good to know: Unripe fruit is full of sticky white latex that makes it unpleasant to eat. Wait until the peel is yellow and the fruit has softened.

Pets: No reliable data for dogs, cats or other pets.

How to eat and enjoy abiu

  • Chilled, halved and eaten with a spoon
  • In sorbet and ice cream

When it's ripe

In Florida the crop comes in the fall. The peel goes from green to light green to yellow. Pick once yellow starts to show, before it turns deep gold, then let it finish on the counter for 1–5 days. Fruit left to go dark gold on the tree is overripe and draws Caribbean fruit flies.

Storing it

Ripen at room temperature; once fully yellow, keep it in the fridge for a few days.

Pests and diseases to watch for

  • Scale insects

    Small bumps, waxy or shell-like, on stems and leaf veins; sticky honeydew and black sooty mold below.

    What to do: Scrub small colonies off with a soft brush.

  • Mealybugs

    White cottony clusters in leaf joints, under leaves and on fruit stems; honeydew and sooty mold.

    What to do: Blast off with a strong spray of water.

  • Aphids

    Clusters of tiny soft insects on new shoots; leaves curl and get sticky.

    What to do: Spray off with water.

  • Sooty mold

    Black, papery film on leaves and fruit that wipes off; it grows on honeydew.

    What to do: Control the insects making honeydew; the mold then weathers away.

  • Spider mites

    Fine pale speckling on leaves, dusty undersides and fine webbing; leaves bronze and drop.

    What to do: Hose the undersides of leaves.

Growing abius? Let Yardkin keep track.

Yardkin tells you when your abiu needs water based on your local weather, reminds you to feed and prune in season, and keeps every harvest and photo.

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General guidance, not medical or veterinary advice. Poison Control (US): 1-800-222-1222. ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435.