Sorva, Milk Tree

Couma utilis

Physical Characteristics

Couma utilis is an evergreen Tree growing to 12 m (39ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

S. America - lowland Amazonia in Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Sap Edible Uses: Drink Gum Sweetener Fruit - raw[ 317 ]. Small and round, looking somewhat like a guava, with an edible sweet, fleshy pulp[ 377 , 420 ]. The flavour is like a mangaba (Hancornia speciosa) with a hint of sapodilla (Manilkara zapota)[ 418 ]. The brown, globose fruit is about 4cm in diameter[ 420 ]. The latex obtained from the tree has a sweet flavour[ 418 ]. It is used as a chewing gum and also to flavour drinks[ 377 ].

Medicinal Uses

Anthelmintic Antidiarrhoeal Antiseptic Skin The latex obtained from the tree is anthelmintic and antiseptic[ 418 ]. It is eaten to treat diarrhoea, worms and parasites[ 377 , 418 , 739 ]. The latex is applied externally to treat skin irritations[ 418 ].

Known Hazards

None known