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17. Spanish Plum 



Spondias purpurea 



The fruits of this small tree may be eaten raw or they may be 

 boiled and dried for storing. The tree is commonly found on a 

 variety of soils at low or middle altitudes in the Caribbean 

 region. The fruits are usually ripe from August to November. 

 The tree or large bush has a thick trunk and stout stiff branches. 

 Its flowers are red or red purple and its fruits range from yellow 

 to dark red in color. The fruits resemble plums and have a 

 spicy flavor somewhat like the cashew. The hog plum, closely 

 related to the Spanish plum, is considered inferior in quality. 

 In Central America, Mexico, and Cuba the Spanish plum is 

 called red mombin^jocote^ and ciruela; in Puerto Rico jobillo and 

 jobo frances. 



