RELATIVES OF THE MANGO 



153 



relatively little known, is perhaps the best. It merits culti- 

 vation wherever climate and soil are suited to its growth. 



The imbu grows spontaneously upon the catingas or dry 

 plains of northeastern Brazil. Rarely is it cultivated, since the 

 wild trees furnish more fruit than can be consumed. It has 

 been planted, however, in a few localities where the wild trees 

 are not found. It was introduced into the United States in 

 1914, but so far as is known, has not been planted in other 

 countries. In view of its abundance in its native home, it is 

 strange that a fruit of such good quality should have escaped 

 the attention of horti- ^^ 



culturists until very re- /?S& u/ 



cently. //ffiS^ Jl V , 



The imbu tree is dis- 

 tinguishable from other 

 growths on the catinga 

 by its low spreading 

 crown, which is of ten 25 

 feet in diameter. The 

 roots are swollen 

 (whence the specific 

 name tuberosa), and are 

 said by M. Pio Correa to be used as food in times of scarcity. 

 The leaves are 4 to 6 inches long, with five to nine oblong-ovate 

 leaflets, equilateral or nearly so, subserrate or entire, and from 

 1 to If inches in length. The small white flowers are borne in 

 panicles 4 to 6 inches long. Like those of other species of 

 Spondias, the flowers are composed of a calyx having four or 

 five segments and a corolla of four or five valvate petals. The 

 stamens are eight to ten in number, the styles three to five. 



The fruit is produced on slender stems, mainly toward the ends 

 of the branches. Some trees are so productive that the fruit, 

 when allowed to fall, forms a carpet of yellow upon the ground. 

 In general appearance the imbu may be likened to a Green 



FIG. 23. 



Fruiting twig of the imbu (Spondias 

 tuberosa). (X about i) 



