{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}} {{Speciesbox |image = Gustavia_superba.jpg |genus = Gustavia (plant) |species = superba |authority = (Kunth) O. Berg (1856) }}

[[File:Gustavia superba MHNT.BOT.2008.1.28.jpg|thumb|''Gustavia superba'' - MHNT]]

'''''Gustavia superba''''' is an understory tree in the family Lecythidaceae, that grows in Central and north-western South America.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pick5.pick.uga.edu/mp/20m?w=720&r=0.125&e=-84.00000&n=3.00000&z=0&kind=Gustavia+superba&la=3&lo=-84?370,178|title=Discover Life map of Gustavia superba|publisher=The Polistes Corporation; The Center for Tropical Forest Science, Panama; Global Biodiversity Information Facility|accessdate=2008-11-07}}</ref> Common names include '''membrillo''', '''sachamango''', '''Stinkwood''' and '''heaven lotus'''. The trunk is around 5-10&nbsp;m high with a rosette of very large leaves radiating from the top (like palms).<ref name="croat">{{cite book|last= Croat|first=Thomas B.|title=Flora of Barro Colorado Island|publisher=Stanford University Press|year=1978|pages=647|isbn=978-0-8047-0950-7}}</ref> These leaves can be up to {{cvt|1.28|m}} long<ref>{{cite book | last= Fayaz | first= Ahmed |date= 2011 | title= Encyclopedia of Tropical Plants | location= Buffalo, New York | publisher= Firefly Books | page= 545 | ISBN= 978-1-55407-489-1}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last= Rohwer | first= Dr. Jens G. | date= 2002 | title= Tropical Plants of the World | location= New York | publisher= Sterling Pub Co. Inc. | page= 104 | isbn= 0-8069-8387-6}}</ref> by less than 30&nbsp;cm wide.

==Ecology== ''Gustavia superba'' grows naturally as an understory tree, where it is abundant, especially in secondary forests<ref name="croat" /> . It appreciates abundant moisture, sun and well drained soil. It branches little until mature, and has a bunch of leaves at the top, so that it resembles a palm. Seeds are dispersed by agoutis. The leaves are a favourite food of iguanas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ctfs.si.edu/webatlas/findinfo.php?leng=english&specid=3433|title=Trees, Shrubs, and Palms of Panama: ''Gustavia superba''|publisher=Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute|accessdate=2008-11-07|archive-date=2008-05-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080508061901/http://ctfs.si.edu/webatlas/findinfo.php?leng=english&specid=3433|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Fruit== It bears rounded pear shaped fruit, on the trunk (cauliflorous). Inside the hard green shell are several large seeds about 4&nbsp;cm in diameter. The yellowish-orange pulp is edible, is usually boiled after which it is said to resemble meat in taste. It is rich in A, B and C vitamins.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://anthrome.wordpress.com/2008/03/03/lecydaceae-gustavia-superba-membrillo-paco/|title=Lecythidaceae, Gustavia superba, membrillo, paco|last=Woodard|first=Spencer|date=2008-03-03|accessdate=2008-11-07}}</ref>

==Distribution== The tree is not widely known outside its native range from Ecuador to Panama and Venezuela, but has been planted in tropical botanical gardens, including in Singapore (where it is referred to as 'pungol') and Australia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://floraofsingapore.wordpress.com/2011/04/14/gustavia-superba/|title=Gustavia superba|date=14 April 2011}}</ref><ref>http://botanybucketlist.wordpress.com/ {{User-generated source|date=August 2022}}</ref> thumb|left|''Gustavia superba'' flower

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q655360}}

superba Category:Flora of Panama Category:Flora of Colombia Category:Flora of Ecuador Category:Plants described in 1856

{{Lecythidaceae-stub}}