Jacaratia mexicana aka Bonete

Jacaratia mexicana, known as bonete, belongs to the Caricaceae family. Its native range runs from Mexico into Central America. Useful Tropical Plants places its range south to Nicaragua. It grows in lowland forest and scrub, both moist and dry. Records also place it on dry hills in El Salvador. Its lowland habitats lie below about 2,625 feet [800 metres]. Kew places the species within the wet tropical biome.

This deciduous plant grows as a shrub or small tree. It reaches about 16–39 feet [5–12 metres], though some trees grow taller. The source also lists a height of 33 feet [10 metres]. These figures describe its size, rather than a measured garden range. Its trunk has a broad base and narrows toward the top. A few thick branches divide from the upper trunk. The wood is very soft, and pith forms much of the trunk. It loses its leaves, rather than keeping them year-round.

Plants may first flower at about 10 feet [3 metres] tall. The species is dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate plants. A lone plant cannot supply both sexes for fruit production. Growers need male and female plants to obtain fruit and seed. The supplied account gives no flowering months or flower colour. It lists seed as a means of raising new plants. It gives no further details on seed treatment or sowing.

The fruit has an egg-like shape, with its broader end away from the stalk. It measures about 0.13–0.49 feet [0.04–0.15 metres] long, sometimes more. Its width is about 0.26–0.33 feet [0.08–0.10 metres]. The sweet flesh has red and yellow tones. Many large seeds can fill the inner cavity. This cavity has one chamber, or appears divided into five. People gather wild fruit for local food and also grow the tree. They eat the fruit fresh, add it to salads, or cook it. Other preparations include sweets made from the flesh.

An older account reports using trunk starch to make tortillas. A related claim describes mixing ground pith with maize during shortages. The source questions that claim, so this use remains uncertain. Useful Tropical Plants reports no known hazards or medicinal uses. That does not establish safety for pets or every plant part.