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akee
Scientific Name: Blighia sapida
Family: Sapindaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Tree
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Ackee (Blighia sapida)
The ackee, scientifically known as Blighia sapida, is a fascinating plant with a dual reputation: it's both a culturally significant food and known for its potentially dangerous properties.
Considerations for Children
- Unripe ackee fruit contains toxins that can cause "Jamaican vomiting sickness," which can be fatal.
Considerations for Pets
- Consumption of unripe ackee fruit can lead to potentially fatal toxicity.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Blighia sapida K. Konig
- Family: Sapindaceae (soapberry family)
- Synonym: Cupania sapida Voigt.
- Common Names: ackee, achee, ackee apple, akee, vegetable brains
Distribution and Habitat
- Indigenous to the Ivory Coast and tropical West Africa.
- Naturalized and cultivated in the tropics, including the Caribbean area, Florida, and Hawaii.
- Introduced in Jamaica by William Bligh.
Morphological Characteristics
- Evergreen tree.
- Produces leathery red-and-yellow fruits.
- Pear-shaped fruit with moderate lobes and a red to yellow waxy skin.
Traditional Uses and Cultural Significance
- The ackee is the national fruit of Jamaica and a food staple in many Jamaican diets.
Quirky Facts
- The common name "vegetable brains" refers to the appearance of the edible aril of the ackee fruit.
- An ackee plant is featured in the Plants vs. Zombies 2 game.