2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Capulin (Latin Prunus salicifolia) Is a deciduous tree belonging to the Rosaceae family.
Description
Capulin is a small deciduous tree, the height of which ranges from twelve to fifteen meters. The oval-lanceolate leaves of this plant are rather pale below, and glossy above. As a rule, they reach a length of six to eighteen centimeters.
The little white capulin flowers are collected in pretty pretty brushes. Flowering trees are very similar in appearance to bird cherry, and the flowers smell almost the same. By the way, European tourists often take this tree during its flowering period for bird cherry.
Reaching one to two centimeters in diameter, rounded fruits are covered with a delicate and smooth reddish or almost black skin. And inside each fruit there is one fairly large seed and a sweet-sour juicy pulp of a pale green color.
The bones of some fruits have a bitter taste - this is due to the high content of amygdalin (decomposing in water with the simultaneous release of a poisonous substance prussic acid). Eating them is strongly discouraged.
In Mexico, capulin blooms from January to March, and the fruit ripens in July and August. And on the territory of Guatemala, flowers begin to appear in January, and flowering continues until May. As for the harvest, it is harvested in Guatemala from May to September. And in El Salvador, the fruiting period covers the period from December to April.
Where grows
Capulin is a plant native to Guatemala and Mexico. However, it has long been cultivated in many other parts of Central America: for example, in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. And in 1924, this culture was introduced to the Philippine highlands.
Application
Ripe capulin fruits are eaten either raw or stewed. In addition, they are often fermented into alcoholic beverages. And among the local population of Central America, a very peculiar dessert from this fruit has gained unprecedented popularity. To prepare it, capulin berries are first poured with milk, and then cinnamon and vanilla are added to the resulting mixture.
Capulin flowers are widely used in medicine - their decoction is an excellent remedy for headaches. The syrup made from the fruit is recommended to be used for various diseases of the upper respiratory tract and for shortness of breath. A decoction of capulin leaves is used as an anti-inflammatory, as well as a fixing and excellent antipyretic agent. By the way, it is used not only internally, but also externally. Often, an infusion of leaves is prescribed as a sedative for neuralgia and colic. In addition, it is also an excellent antispasmodic.
An infusion or decoction of capulin bark, which has an antiseptic effect, perfectly helps with a number of infectious ailments, including conjunctivitis. And the inflorescences of this plant contain substances that have anesthetic effect.
To nourish the body with calcium, capulin is best eaten fresh - heat treatment converts this element into insoluble forms, and it is practically not absorbed.
As a rule, in the refrigerator, the fruits of this plant can be stored for seven to nine days.
Capulin wood is also highly valued - its yellowish sapwood with spectacular red strokes is also distinguished by its unprecedented strength, which makes it possible to make magnificent furniture out of it.
Growing
Capulin is quite unpretentious and grows quickly enough, filling huge spaces. And this culture begins to bear fruit from the second year after seed germination.
