Melicoccus bijugatus aka Genip

Melicoccus bijugatus is an evergreen fruit tree in the soapberry family. Common names include mamoncillo, genip, and Spanish lime. It comes from northern South America, including Colombia and Venezuela. Its native range also includes Margarita Island. People now grow it across many warm regions. These include the Caribbean, Central America, and parts of the United States. It grows in lowland woods, including dry coastal limestone sites.

This slow-growing tree forms a broad, dense, rounded crown. Garden references give heights of about 59–66 feet (18–20 metres). Larger trees can reach 85 feet (26 metres). Its spread can reach 59 feet (18 metres). The trunk has smooth, pale gray bark. It may have shallow grooves and an uneven outline. Each compound leaf has four oval leaflets in opposite pairs. The leaves grow in an alternate pattern along the stems.

Small flowers grow in clusters at the ends of branches. In Florida, flowering falls in April and May. Sources describe the flowers as white or green. Bees and other flying insects pollinate them. Most trees carry either male or female flowers. Good fruit crops generally need one tree of each sex. Some trees carry both, but their pollen may not work. Fruit grows in loose clusters under thin, leathery green skin. The juicy aril ranges from pinkish to white or yellowish. It clings to one large seed, sometimes two. Let fruit ripen on the tree for the best taste.

Plant this tree in full sun for growth and fruit. It accepts sandy, loamy, and clay soils with good drainage. It also grows in poor soil and tolerates varied pH. Established trees withstand long dry spells, but flooding harms them. Young trees need regular water while they settle in. Warm tropical and subtropical sites suit it best. Frost can kill young trees and damage mature ones. PFAF lists USDA zones 9–12, though cold remains a risk. Seed-grown trees may take eight to ten years to fruit. Crops can vary when pollination fails.

People eat the ripe pulp fresh or cook it. They also use it in pies, preserves, and drinks. Roasted seeds provide another food. The broad crown makes this a shade or specimen tree. People also plant it along streets. Its wood serves for furniture and indoor building work. The wood does not resist decay. Traditional uses include bark preparations for dysentery and leaves to reduce sweating. PFAF and Useful Tropical Plants report no known hazards. That report does not establish safety for every use.