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GENIPA AMERICANA Botanical Information Subkingdom: Tracheobionta Superdivision: Tracheobionta Division: Magnoliophyta lass: Magnoliopsida Subclass: Asteridae Order: Rubiales Family: Rubiceae Genus: Genipa L Species: Genipa Americana L Origin and Geographical Distribution Genipa Americana is common throughout tropical & subtropical regions of Central & South America. It flourishes both on well drained soils and on periodically flooded riverbanks. Description The Genipa Americana tree stands tall at heights between 10–20 meters (30–65 feet). The trunk is approximately 40 – 80cm in diameter (15–30 inches). It is a deciduous tree with abundant foliage, the short-petioled leaves are more highly concentrated at the branch apex with an average size of 10-30cm (4 –12 inches). Its yellow or white flowers, about 4cm in diameter (1.5inches) are tubular in shape, with five petals, they appear in clusters at the base of the leaf. The fruit is a globose to ovoid shape, and varies in size and weight from 5-15cm in length by 4-10cm in diameter and from 150-400g in weight (that’s 2-6inches in length by 1.5-4 inches in diameter and from 5-14 ounces in weight). The pericarp is a white/yellowish colour and around 2.5cm thick (1 inch). The pulp contains the seeds protected by mucilaginous membranes. It is the juice from this pulp that contains the active colouring ingredient ‘Genepine’. Varieties & Propagation There are smaller ‘shrubby’ forms of the Genipa Americana tree, which grow along the riverbanks in Brazil. These trees are said to produce fruit all year round, though inedible, the genipine colouring should still be present in the small and unripe fruits. The Genipa Americana tree is naturally propagated by seeds, through natural dispersion and germination; though it is thought that the reason this tree is so well dispersed is thanks to well planned dispersion by indigenous peoples many years ago because if the many valued uses of the Genipa Americana Tree. Biochemistry The Key biochemicals of Genipa Americana are; Genipine, Manitol, Tannins, Tannic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Genopocidic acid, Caterine, Hydatoin, Manit, Caffeine, Calcium. Scientific Names Preferred Scientific Name: Genipa Americana L Other Scientific Names: Genipa americana var. caruto (Kunth) K. Schum, Genipa caruto Kunth, Gardenia genipa Sw., Genipa barbata Presl, Genipa codonocaiyx Standl., Genipa cymosa Spruce, Genipa exelsa K Krause, Genipa grandifolia Pers. Genipa oblongifolia Ruiz & Pav., Genipa pubescens DC., Genipa spruceana Steyerm., Genipa venosa Standl., Genipa nervosa Sprce Trade Names Jagua, Genipa, Marmalade Box Some Common Names English; Genipap, Marmalade Box Spanish; Jagua, Huito, Genipa, Caruto Portuguese; Jenipapo, Mandipa French; Confiture de Singe Argentinian;ñandipá Bolivia; Bí, Nané, Nobirr, Bi grande, Bicito, Totumillo Brazil; Jenipapo, Genipapo, Genipopeiro, Jenipá, Jenipaba, Janipopeiro, Jenipapeiro, Janipapo, Cabacu Columbia; Jagua, Genipa, Huito, Angelina, Genipapo, Chipara, Chibara, Guanapay Costa Rica; Guaitilil, Tapaculo, Guaitilil Blanco, Brir Equador; Jagua, Shiño, Sua, Sula, Tsua, Airo-tua, We’e French Guyana; Genipa Guadeloupe; Genipa Guatemala; Irayol, Irayol de Loma, Irayol de Montaña, Crayo, Guali Guyana; Lana Honduras; Jagua, Irayol Mexico; Jagua Azol, Maluco Nicaragua; Tapaculo, Gigualtí Panama; Jagua, Jagua Negro, Jagua de Montaña, Jagua Blanca, Guayatil Colorado Peru; Palo Colorado, Huito, Huitoc, Huitol, Juagua, Yaguayagua, Vito, Vitu Paraguay; ñandypa Guasu Puerto Rico; Jagua, Genipa, Caruto Surinam; Arasaloe, Tapoeripa El Salvador; Irayol, Tambor, Tiñadientes, Tiñe-dientes Venezuela; Caruto, Xagua, Carcarutoto, Caruto Rebalsero, Guaricha Uses Fruit – provides a valuable food source for most of the year. Ripe fruit is eaten raw, The fruit is also processed to produce; desserts (e.g. bullet of jenipapo), jams, syrups, non alcoholic beverages and sherbets, wines and liqueurs (e.g.huitochado, jenipapada) Fruit – provides a valuable source of traditional medicines. Used to treat such ailments as; Colds, sore throats, asthma, chest infections and other respiratory problems Used for its antiseptic, antibiotic, bactericidal and fungicidal properties Used for its insect repelling qualities Used for protection from sunburn Fruit – provides a valuable source of natural dye Used to decorate the body Used to decorate fabrics and other natural materials Wood – a quick growing sustainable supply with a tree that is native to the Amazon Firewood; relatively young trees, 5 years old Timber; relatively young trees, 10 years old Bark – a by-product of firewood and timber High in tannin; used for treating leather Fibres; used for cordage Leaves – available all year round Fodder; eaten by cattle Some informative websites with information and beautiful photographs of Genipa Americana: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/genipap.html http://www.floratiete.com.br/biblioteca.htm http://www.polmil.sp.gov.br/unidades/cpfm/plantas/jenipapo.htm http://www.rainforestconservation.org/data_sheets/agroforestry/Genipa_americana.html

The 100% natural botanical staining power in these products come from renewable sources within the rainforest of South America. Indigenous people throughout Amazonia have used the natural dye of the Jagua fruit (Genipa Americana) to adorn their skin for as long as can be remembered. Now you too can experience one of the best-kept secrets of the Amazon!