Jobo
Spondias mombin
Native Region
Tropical Americas
Max Height
15-30 meters
Family
Anacardiaceae
Conservation
LC
Uses
Distribution in Costa Rica
Legend
Elevation
0-1000m
Regions
- Guanacaste
- Puntarenas
- Alajuela
- Limón
- San José
- Heredia
Season
Flowering
Feb-Mar
Fruiting
May-Aug
Jobo (Yellow Mombin / Hog Plum)
The Jobo (Spondias mombin), also called Yellow Mombin or Hog Plum, is one of the tropics' most beloved fruit trees. Its tart, aromatic yellow plums have been enjoyed by humans for thousands of years, and its remarkable ability to grow from large stem cuttings makes it the backbone of living fence systems across Central America. Every part of this tree is useful—from its refreshing fruits to its massive branches that take root when simply stuck in the ground.
Quick Reference
- Scientific Name
- Spondias mombin
- Family
- Anacardiaceae (Cashew Family)
- Max Height
- 15-30 m
- Trunk Diameter
- Up to 1 m
- Conservation
- Least Concern
- Key Feature
- Tart yellow fruit, living fences
iNaturalist Observations
Community-powered species data
3800
Observations
186
Observers
📸 Photo Gallery
Photos sourced from iNaturalist's community science database. View all observations →↗
Taxonomy and Classification
- Spondias: Greek name for plum-like fruits - mombin: From a Caribbean indigenous name - Jobo: Spanish name from Taino indigenous language - Hog Plum: Pigs relish the fallen fruits - Yellow Mombin: Color of ripe fruit
Common Names
| Language/Region | Common Name(s) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish (Costa Rica) | Jobo | Taino indigenous name |
| Spanish (Mexico) | Ciruelo, Jobo | Plum tree / Jobo |
| English | Yellow Mombin, Hog Plum | Fruit color / wildlife food |
| Portuguese (Brazil) | Cajá, Taperebá | Indigenous names |
| French Caribbean | Mombin jaune | Yellow mombin |
Related Spondias Species
| Species | Common Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| S. mombin | Jobo | Native, most common |
| S. purpurea | Jocote | Native, red/purple fruit |
| S. dulcis | Manzana de Agua | Asian origin, cultivated |
Physical Description
General Form
The Jobo is a large deciduous tree with a spreading crown and thick, often crooked trunk. The bark is distinctive—rough, thick, and deeply furrowed. The tree drops its leaves during the dry season, often fruiting while leafless or as new leaves emerge. Its ability to grow from large stem cuttings makes it unique among tropical trees.
Distinctive Features
Leaves
- Type: Pinnately compound
- Leaflets: 9-19 per leaf
- Size: 5-10 cm per leaflet
- Arrangement: Alternate, opposite leaflets
- Feature: Crushed leaves aromatic
- Deciduous: Drops leaves in dry season
Bark
- Color: Gray-brown
- Texture: Deeply furrowed, rough
- Thickness: Thick, corky
- Inner Bark: Reddish, aromatic
- Exudate: Resinous sap
The Beloved Fruit
- Type: Drupe (stone fruit)
- Shape: Ovoid, plum-like
- Size: 3-5 cm long
- Color: Yellow to orange when ripe
- Skin: Thin, slightly waxy
- Flesh: Yellow, juicy, very tart
- Pit: Large, fibrous stone
- Season: Late dry/early wet season
Flowers
- Type: Small, cream-white
- Size: 5-6 mm
- Arrangement: Terminal panicles
- Timing: Before or with new leaves
- Fragrance: Sweet, honey-like
- Pollinators: Bees, flies, wasps
Jobo fruit has a distinctive taste profile: - Dominant Note: Intensely tart/sour - Secondary: Sweet undertones - Aroma: Fruity, mildly resinous - Texture: Juicy, fibrous near pit - Aftertaste: Slightly astringent The tartness means many people prefer Jobo in: - Drinks (frescos, licuados) - With salt (cuts tartness) - Preserves and jams - Dried with sugar Eating one fresh is an... intense experience!
Distribution and Habitat
Native Range
Geographic Distribution
Distribution in Costa Rica
Found throughout the country, especially in lowland areas:
| Province | Abundance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Guanacaste | Very Common | Pastures, living fences, dry forest |
| Puntarenas | Very Common | Coastal and valley areas |
| Alajuela | Common | Northern lowlands |
| Limón | Common | Caribbean lowlands |
| San José | Occasional | Central Valley margins |
| Cartago | Occasional | Lower areas |
Habitat Preferences
- Elevation: Sea level to 1,000 m
- Climate: Tropical dry to moist
- Rainfall: 1,000-3,500 mm/year
- Temperature: 24-32°C
- Soil: Tolerates poor, rocky soils
- Light: Full sun to light shade
- Habitat: Pastures, forest edges, riparian
The Living Fence Tradition
Stakes That Become Trees
The Amazing Living Fence
One of Jobo's most remarkable characteristics is its ability to root from large stem cuttings: The Process: 1. Cut large branches (5-20 cm diameter, 2-3 m long) 2. Simply stick cut end into the ground 3. Branch produces roots within weeks 4. Develops into a full tree over years 5. Wire can be attached for fencing Benefits: - No need to buy fence posts - Posts don't rot or need replacement - Trees provide shade for cattle - Fruit bonus for farmer and livestock - Carbon sequestration - Wildlife corridors This traditional technology has been used for centuries!
Living Fence Management
| Aspect | Practice | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Planting | Plant during early rainy season | Best rooting success |
| Spacing | 2-4 meters between posts | Allows crown development |
| Pruning | Pollard every 2-5 years | Promotes density, harvest wood |
| Wire | Attach when posts established | Durable, living infrastructure |
| Fruit | Harvest fallen or ripe | Additional income/food |
Living fences of Jobo represent traditional knowledge at its finest: - Economic: Free fencing material forever - Ecological: Habitat connectivity, carbon storage - Practical: Shade improves livestock welfare
- Bonus: Free fruit crop - Resilient: Self-repairing, storm-resistant Modern agroforestry programs actively promote this ancient practice!
Ecological Importance
Wildlife Food Source
Mammal Consumers
- Peccaries: Love fallen fruits
- Deer: Eat fruits in dry season
- Monkeys: Major consumers
- Bats: Eat ripe fruit, disperse seeds
- Agoutis: Cache and consume
- Wild Pigs: Hence "hog plum"!
Bird Interactions
- Parrots: Eat unripe and ripe fruits
- Toucans: Swallow fruits whole
- Chachalacas: Ground foragers
- Tanagers: Peck at fruits
- Many more: Major food tree
Forest Dynamics
The Jobo provides multiple ecosystem services: - Food Web: Critical fruit during dry season - Seed Dispersal: Animals carry seeds widely - Shade: Improves microclimate in pastures - Pollination: Flowers support many insects - Connectivity: Living fences link forest fragments Removing Jobo trees from the landscape would impact numerous species!
Human Uses
Culinary Uses
From Farm to Table
The tart Jobo fruit is used in many ways: Fresh Consumption: - Eaten ripe with salt (traditional) - Eating straight—for the brave! - Popular with children Beverages: - Fresco de Jobo (iced fruit drink) - Licuados (blended drinks) - Fermented beverages - Wine (Brazil especially) Preserves: - Jam (with lots of sugar!) - Dried with sugar coating - Pickled (green fruits) - Candied Commercial Products: - Fruit pulp (frozen) - Concentrate for beverages - Ice cream flavoring
Traditional Medicine
The following is traditional knowledge only. Consult healthcare professionals for medical advice.
| Part Used | Traditional Use | Preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Bark | Diarrhea, dysentery | Decoction |
| Leaves | Wounds, inflammation | Poultice |
| Root | Various ailments | Decoction |
| Fruit | Fevers, sore throat | Fresh or juice |
| Resin | Skin conditions | Topical application |
Other Uses
- Timber: Light wood for boxes, crafts
- Firewood: Burns well, common fuel source
- Honey: Important nectar source for beekeepers
- Fodder: Fallen fruits for livestock
- Shade: Pasture and coffee shade
Cultivation
Growing from Cuttings
Growing from Seed
Identification Guide
How to Identify Jobo
Year-Round Identifiers:
- Deeply furrowed bark (thick, corky)
- Compound leaves with 9-19 leaflets
- Aromatic crushed leaves
- Resinous inner bark
- Often in living fences
Seasonal Identifiers:
- Yellow plum-like fruits (dry season)
- Deciduous (bare in dry season)
- Cream flower clusters (before leaves)
Where to See Jobo in Costa Rica
| Location | Context | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Guanacaste pastures | Living fences | Everywhere in cattle country |
| Rural roadsides | Shade trees | Common throughout |
| Local markets | Fruit stands | Look for fresh fruit in season |
| Nicoya Peninsula | Traditional farms | Strong living fence culture |
| Osa Peninsula | Forest edges | Wild and cultivated |
| Caribbean lowlands | Farms, forest | Common throughout |
Jobo fruits are most abundant at the transition from dry to wet season (April-June in most areas): - Look for yellow fallen fruits on the ground - Trees may still be partly or fully leafless - Local vendors sell them at markets - Ask farmers—they often have trees! If you've never tasted Jobo, the pucker-inducing tartness is an unforgettable experience!
External Resources
Community observations and photos
Agroforestry database
Plant resources information
References
📚 Scientific References & Further Reading
Janzen, D.H. (1983). Costa Rican Natural History. University of Chicago Press
Villachica, H. (1996). Frutales y hortalizas promisorios de la Amazonia. FAO, Lima
Nair, P.K.R. (1993). An Introduction to Agroforestry. Kluwer Academic Publishers
The Jobo embodies the genius of traditional tropical agriculture. A tree that asks for almost nothing—stick a branch in the ground and you get a fence post, a shade tree, a fruit tree, and wildlife habitat all in one. For centuries, Central American farmers have known what scientists are only now rediscovering: that working with nature, rather than against it, produces more resilient, productive, and sustainable landscapes. Every time you see a living fence of Jobo trees stretching across a pasture, you're seeing traditional ecological knowledge in action—and tasting a piece of it is just a bonus!
