Icaco
Chrysobalanus icaco
Native Region
Tropical America and West Africa
Max Height
2-6 meters (6-20 feet)
Family
Chrysobalanaceae
Conservation
LC
Uses
Distribution in Costa Rica
Legend
Elevation
0-100m
Regions
- Limón
- Puntarenas
- Guanacaste
Season
Flowering
Mar-Jun
Fruiting
Jun-Sep
Icaco (Cocoplum)
The Icaco (Chrysobalanus icaco), commonly known as Cocoplum or Paradise Plum, is a remarkable coastal plant that thrives in beach environments where few other fruit trees dare to grow. This tough shrub or small tree produces sweet, plum-like fruits in colors ranging from creamy white to deep purple-black. Found along both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts of Costa Rica, the Icaco has sustained coastal communities for millennia and remains a treasured beach treat today.
Quick Reference
- Scientific Name
- Chrysobalanus icaco
- Family
- Chrysobalanaceae
- Max Height
- 2-6 m
- Native Region
- Tropical Americas & W. Africa
- Conservation
- Least Concern
- Key Feature
- Salt-tolerant beach fruit
iNaturalist Observations
Community-powered species data
5000
Observations
186
Observers
📸 Photo Gallery
Photos sourced from iNaturalist's community science database. Browse all observations →↗
Taxonomy & Classification
Coastal Specialist
The Icaco is perfectly adapted to life at the edge of the sea:
Physical Description
Growth Forms
The Icaco shows remarkable growth variation depending on its environment:
| Environment | Growth Form | Height |
|---|---|---|
| Exposed beach | Low spreading shrub | 0.5-2 m |
| Protected dunes | Upright shrub | 2-4 m |
| Inland/cultivated | Small tree | 4-6 m |
| Coastal thickets | Dense hedge | 2-3 m |
Identifying Features
The Fruit
Varieties & Colors
| Variety | Color | Flavor | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| White/Cream | Pale white to cream | Mild, sweet | Most delicate flavor |
| Pink | Rosy pink | Sweet, aromatic | Popular variety |
| Red | Deep red | Sweet-tart | Rich flavor |
| Dark Purple | Purple-black | Sweetest | Highest sugar content |
Eating Icaco
Fresh Consumption:
- Rinse the fruit
- Eat whole (skin is edible)
- Avoid the hard central stone
- Best when fully ripe (soft to touch)
Flavor Notes:
- Sweet and slightly cottony texture
- Mild, pleasant flavor
- Dark varieties are sweeter
- White varieties more delicate
Tip: The flesh tends to stick to the seed—just nibble around it!
Culinary Uses
Distribution in Costa Rica
Coastal Presence
| Coast | Province | Habitat | Abundance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caribbean | Limón | Beach edges, lagoons | Common |
| Pacific | Puntarenas | Rocky shores, estuaries | Moderate |
| Pacific | Guanacaste | Coastal mangrove edges | Less common |
Typical Habitats
Where to Find Icaco
Beach & Dune:
- Back-beach vegetation zone
- Stabilized dune areas
- Behind coastal strand
Wetland Edge:
- Mangrove forest margins
- Coastal lagoon borders
- Estuary edges
Human-Modified:
- Coastal gardens
- Resort landscaping
- Village hedgerows
Ecological Role
Coastal Ecosystem Services
Wildlife Interactions
| Animal | Interaction | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shore birds | Fruit consumption | Important coastal food |
| Land crabs | Seed dispersal | Carry seeds to burrows |
| Iguanas | Fruit & leaves | Common visitors |
| Bats | Night feeding | Fruit dispersal |
| Fish | Dropped fruit | Eat fruit in water |
Uses
Traditional & Modern Applications
Cultivation
Growing Icaco
Cultivation Guide
Ideal Conditions:
- Full sun to partial shade
- Sandy, well-drained soil (tolerates poor soil)
- Salt spray tolerance excellent
- Heat tolerant; frost sensitive
Propagation:
- Seed: Fresh seed germinates in 1-3 months
- Cuttings: Semi-hardwood cuttings root well
- Layering: Natural layers can be separated
Care:
- Minimal water once established
- No fertilizer needed in coastal settings
- Prune to shape as desired
- First fruit: 3-5 years from seed
Inland Cultivation
While naturally coastal, Icaco can be grown inland:
- Needs excellent drainage - Full sun essential - May need occasional watering inland - Grows taller without coastal winds - Produces well in tropical lowlands
Related Species
| Species | Common Name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|
| Licania platypus | Sonzapote | Same family, larger fruit |
| Couepia polyandra | Olosapo | Related, edible fruit |
| Parinari campestris | Guayaba de Sabana | Related savanna species |
Conservation Status
IUCN Status: Least Concern (LC)
The Icaco is widespread and abundant throughout its range. However, coastal development threatens some populations:
Threats:
- Beach resort development
- Coastal erosion (natural)
- Clearing for agriculture
- Climate change effects on coastlines
Positive Factors:
- Wide distribution across two continents
- Valued for landscaping
- Increasing use in coastal restoration
- Climate-resilient (heat/drought tolerant)
Cultural Significance
Throughout the Caribbean and coastal Latin America, the Icaco represents beach life and coastal culture. In Cuba, dulce de icaco (icaco preserve) is a beloved traditional sweet. In coastal Colombia and Venezuela, the fruit appears in local markets during season. For Costa Rica's Afro-Caribbean coastal communities, the Icaco connects to broader Caribbean food traditions and beach-gathering practices.
Where to See Icaco
Where to Find Icaco in Costa Rica
Caribbean Coast:
- Cahuita National Park — Beach trail vegetation
- Manzanillo-Gandoca Wildlife Refuge — Coastal forests
- Puerto Viejo beaches — Naturalized in coastal areas
- Tortuguero area — Coastal strand habitat
Pacific Coast:
- Marino Ballena National Park — Coastal scrub areas
- Manuel Antonio area — Beach margins
- Gulf of Nicoya islands — Sandy shores
Visit Caribbean beaches between June and September for the best chance to find ripe Icaco fruits. The dark purple varieties are sweetest and often the first to be picked by both locals and wildlife.
External Resources
Community observations and photos
Conservation status (Least Concern)
Fire effects and ecology
Kew Gardens taxonomic information
References
📚 Scientific References & Further Reading
Francis, J.K. (1993). Chrysobalanus icaco L. Coco-plum. USDA Forest Service, International Institute of Tropical Forestry, Fact Sheet SO-ITF-SM-58
Prance, G.T. (1972). Chrysobalanaceae. Flora Neotropica Monograph No. 9. Hafner Publishing Company, New York
Little, E.L. & Wadsworth, F.H. (1964). Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. USDA Forest Service, Agricultural Handbook No. 249
BGCI & IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group (2019). Chrysobalanus icaco. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019
The Icaco (Chrysobalanus icaco) is a testament to nature's adaptability—a fruit tree that thrives where others fail. Its ability to produce sweet fruits in harsh coastal conditions has made it invaluable to beach communities for thousands of years. Whether eaten fresh off the bush during a beach walk or preserved into traditional sweets, the Icaco offers a taste of Costa Rica's coastal heritage.
