Ackee (Blighia sapida) is a tropical evergreen tree native to West Africa, prominently cultivated in Jamaica and other Caribbean regions. It can grow up to 10 meters tall and produces pear-shaped fruits that are green when unripe and turn red or yellow when mature. In agroecology, ackee serves as a mid-canopy layer in food forests, contributing to biodiversity by providing habitat and food for various wildlife. It is traditionally used in Jamaican cuisine, notably in the national dish, ackee and saltfish. Historically, ackee has been integrated into local farming systems for its resilience and nutritional value. However, caution is necessary as unripe or improperly prepared fruit can be toxic due to hypoglycin A.
Growing Details
Ackee trees thrive in well-drained, loamy soils with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. Prior to planting, enrich the soil with organic compost. Mulching with organic materials helps retain moisture and suppress weeds. Companion plants such as marigolds can help deter nematodes. Avoid planting in frost-prone areas. Harvest when the fruit naturally splits open, indicating ripeness. Store harvested arils in a cool, dry place and consume within a few days.
Edible Parts
Fruit
Tags
Carbon Farming Attracts Wildlife Visual Appeal
Range (Based on GBIF Data)
The map shows known occurrence points of <strong>Blighia sapida</strong> recorded in scientific biodiversity databases.
Source: <a href="https://www.gbif.org" target="_blank">GBIF.org</a> โ Global Biodiversity Information Facility
Location & Timing
native geo location: Native to West Africa, widely cultivated in t
applicable geo region: Tropical regions
language used: en
Flowering:
?
Harvest:
beginning
of August for 120 days
Seed Start:
?
Indoor Start:
Transplant:
Uses & Benefits
Edible Rating:
(4/5)
edible uses: The arils of the ackee fruit are edible when properly prepared. They are typically boiled and used in Caribbean dishes, particularly in the iconic Jamaican dish, ackee and saltfish. The fruit is available seasonally, with peak harvests in late summer to early winter.
Medicinal Rating:
(2/5)
medicinal uses: In traditional medicine, ackee has been used for its potential benefits in treating fever and as a diuretic. However, these uses are based on anecdotal evidence, and scientific validation is limited. Only the ripe arils should be consumed to avoid toxicity.
health concerns: Unripe ackee contains hypoglycin A, a toxin that can cause vomiting and hypoglycemia, known as Jamaican vomiting sickness. Only fully ripe and properly prepared ackee should be consumed.
other uses:
Scientific Literature
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Botanical data
specie: Blighia sapida
common names: Ackee; Akee; Ankye
family: Sapindaceae
sub family:
tribe:
sub tribe:
genus: Blighia
Growing Conditions
area needed: 10.0 m
spacing: 8.0 m
growing difficulty: High
Deciduous / Evergreen:
Seed Temp (Opt/Min/Max): 25ยฐC / 20ยฐC / 30ยฐC
Plant Temp (Opt/Min/Max): 25ยฐC / 18ยฐC / 35ยฐC
water demands: High
humidity: High
light demands: High
root type: Medium
frost tender: High
hardness:โโโโโโโโโโ(10/10)
first harvest: 3 years
life span: 50 years
succession: Mid
growth rate: Medium
max height: 10.0 m
max width: 8.0 m
soil preference:
Medium (Loam)
pH preference:
Neutral
flower type:
Hermaphrodite
growth details: Ackee trees thrive in well-drained, loamy soils with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. Prior to planting, enrich the soil with organic compost. Mulching with organic materials helps retain moisture and suppress weeds. Companion plants such as marigolds can help deter nematodes. Avoid planting in frost-prone areas. Harvest when the fruit naturally splits open, indicating ripeness. Store harvested arils in a cool, dry place and consume within a few days.
Potential Disturbances: Common pests include fruit flies and scale insects. Introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings to control pest populations. Neem oil can be used as an organic spray to manage infestations. Planting garlic or chives nearby can help repel pests naturally.
Growth Timeline
Recipes Using This Plant
Animals Interacting With This Plant
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