156 MANUAL OF TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL FRUITS 



cent, ash 0.44 per cent, acids 0.47 per cent, protein 0.50 per 

 cent, total sugars 10. .54 per cent, fat 0.28 per cent, and fiber 

 0.85 per cent. 



Ambarella is the Sinhalese name used in Ceylon, and is 

 preferred as being more euphonious and attractive than the 

 name Otaheite-apple. The latter term is current in some of 

 the British colonies, but is sometimes applied also to a different 

 fruit, the ohia. Jew-plum is another name for the ambarella, 

 used in Jamaica. The French call the fruit pomme Cythere. 

 In Polynesia its name is m or em, the former word (spelled wi) 

 being used in Hawaii. In Brazil the Portuguese name is 

 cajd-manga. Spondias dulcis Forst. is a botanical synonym of 

 S. cytherea Sonnerat. 



The tree is considered indigenous in Polynesia. It was 

 brought to Jamaica in 1782, and again in 1792 (on this second 

 occasion by Captain Bligh, who introduced the breadfruit into 

 the West Indies from Tahiti). It has not become popular in 

 Cuba, nor is it commonly grown on the mainland of South 

 America, with the exception of certain parts of Brazil. In South 

 Florida it is successful as far north as Palm Beach. No trees 

 are known to have reached fruiting size in California. The 

 winters there are probably too cool for it. 



While the tree thrives best on deep rich soils, it has been 

 successful in Florida (though not reaching large size) upon 

 shallow sandy land. Thomas Firminger says that the seeds do 

 not germinate readily, and that plants " are usually obtained by 

 grafting upon seedlings of S. mangifera." P. J. Wester has 

 found that the species can be shield-budded in the same manner 

 as the avocado; he says, "Use nonpetioled, slender, mature, 

 but green and smooth budwood ; cut large buds with ample 

 wood-shield, 1J to If inches long ; insert the buds in the stock 

 at a point of approximately the same age and appearance as 

 the cion." 



Early travelers who visited Polynesia spoke of this fruit in 



