Mamón
Melicoccus bijugatus
Native Region
Caribbean, Colombia, Venezuela
Max Height
15-25 meters (50-80 feet)
Family
Sapindaceae
Conservation
LC
Uses
Distribution in Costa Rica
Legend
Elevation
0-1200m
Regions
- Guanacaste
- Puntarenas
- Alajuela
- San José
- Heredia
- Limón
Season
Flowering
Mar-May
Fruiting
Jun-Aug
Mamón (Spanish Lime)
The Mamón (Melicoccus bijugatus), known in English as Spanish Lime or Genip, is one of the most eagerly anticipated seasonal fruits in Costa Rica. When June arrives and the mamón season begins, streets come alive with vendors selling bunches of these small, round green fruits. Cracking open the brittle shell reveals translucent, salmon-pink flesh that clings tightly to a large seed—you don't bite it, you suck the sweet-tart pulp, working the seed in your mouth to extract every bit of flavor. It's messy, addictive, and thoroughly tropical. Native to the Caribbean, the mamón has become a cherished part of Costa Rican street food culture.
Quick Reference
- Scientific Name
- Melicoccus bijugatus
- Family
- Sapindaceae (Soapberry)
- Maximum Height
- 15-25 m
- Native Region
- Caribbean
- Conservation
- Least Concern
- Key Trait
- Small green fruit; gelatinous flesh
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Taxonomy and Classification
- Melicoccus: Greek for "honey berry" - bijugatus: Latin for "paired" (referring to paired leaflets) - Mamón: Spanish, perhaps from the sucking motion used to eat it - Related to lychee and rambutan (same family)
Common Names
| Language/Region | Common Name(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish (CR) | Mamón | Standard name |
| English | Spanish Lime, Genip | Market names |
| Caribbean English | Guinep, Kenep | Island variations |
| Puerto Rico | Quenepa | Popular local name |
| Spanish (various) | Mamoncillo, Limoncillo | Regional variants |
| French Caribbean | Quenette | French islands |
Related Species
| Species | Common Name | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| Melicoccus bijugatus | Mamón (THIS SPECIES) | The common Spanish lime |
| Melicoccus oliviformis | Mamón de Cartagena | Larger fruit, oval |
| Litchi chinensis | Lychee | Same family, Asian origin |
| Nephelium lappaceum | Rambutan (Mamón Chino) | Same family |
| Dimocarpus longan | Longan | Same family |
Physical Description
General Form
The Mamón is a handsome, medium to large tree with a dense, rounded crown that provides excellent shade. It's slow-growing but long-lived, eventually becoming a substantial presence in the landscape. The tree is semi-deciduous, losing leaves briefly during the dry season.
Identification Features
Bark and Trunk
- Bark color: Gray to grayish-brown
- Texture: Smooth when young, fissured with age
- Trunk: Straight, well-formed
- Buttresses: Sometimes present at base
Leaves
- Type: Compound, paripinnate
- Leaflets: Usually 4 (2 pairs), rarely 6
- Size: Leaflets 5-10 cm long
- Shape: Elliptic to lanceolate
- Color: Dark green, glossy
- Arrangement: Alternate
- Notable: Winged rachis (leaf stem)
Flowers
- Size: Small (4-5 mm)
- Color: Greenish-white
- Arrangement: Terminal and axillary panicles
- Fragrance: Sweet, honey-like
- Timing: Late dry season
- Sexes: Male and female usually on separate trees
Fruit
- Shape: Round to slightly oval
- Size: 2-3.5 cm diameter
- Skin: Green, thin, brittle
- Flesh: Translucent salmon-pink, gelatinous
- Seed: Large, single, fills most of fruit
- Taste: Sweet-tart, grape-like
- Arrangement: In grape-like clusters
The proper technique:
- Crack the thin shell with your teeth
- Pop the fruit in your mouth
- SUCK the gelatinous flesh off the large seed
- Work the seed with your tongue to get all the pulp
- Discard seed (or save for planting!)
Warning: The flesh stains! The slightly astringent pulp can leave marks on clothing. Eating mamón is best done as street food, not at formal occasions.
Ecology and Habitat
Natural Distribution
| Region | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Caribbean islands | Native | Original range |
| Colombia/Venezuela | Native | Northern South America |
| Central America | Introduced | Widely naturalized |
| Costa Rica | Naturalized | Common in lowlands |
| Tropical worldwide | Cultivated | Spread globally |
Climate Requirements
Optimal Conditions
- Temperature: 24-32°C (75-90°F)
- Rainfall: 1000-2000 mm annually
- Seasonality: Tolerates dry season
- Elevation: Sea level to 1200 m
- Soil: Deep, well-drained
Tolerances
- Drought: Good tolerance once established
- Salt: Moderate tolerance
- Wind: Good resistance
- Poor soil: Adaptable
- Cold: Frost sensitive
Wildlife Interactions
Pollinators
- Bees: Primary pollinators
- Wasps: Secondary visitors
- Dioecious: Needs male and female trees
- Honey: Excellent honey source
Seed Dispersal
- Humans: Primary dispersers
- Birds: Eat fruit, drop seeds
- Bats: Some consumption
Ecosystem Services
- Shade: Excellent urban tree
- Pollinator support: Nectar source
- Bird habitat: Nesting sites
- Soil protection: Deep root system
Uses
Culinary
| Use | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh fruit | Sucked directly from shell | Most common use |
| Street food | Sold by vendors in bunches | Seasonal tradition |
| Juice | Pulp extracted for beverages | Less common |
| Preserves | Candied or in syrup | Traditional preparations |
| Liquor | Fermented or infused | Caribbean traditions |
Street Vendor Culture
During mamón season (June-August), vendors appear throughout Costa Rica:
- Intersections: Selling at traffic lights
- Markets: Fresh bunches at ferias
- Beach towns: Popular beach snack
- Schools: Children's favorite seasonal treat
- Parks: Picnic companion
Prices are seasonal—cheapest at peak harvest, more expensive early or late in season.
Nutritional Value
| Nutrient | Amount per 100g | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 58 kcal | 3% |
| Carbohydrates | 13.5 g | 5% |
| Fiber | 0.9 g | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 10 mg | 11% |
| Calcium | 15 mg | 2% |
| Iron | 0.5 mg | 3% |
| Phosphorus | 20 mg | 2% |
Medicinal Uses
| Use | Part | Preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Diarrhea treatment | Roasted seeds | Ground and consumed |
| Fever reduction | Leaves | Tea/infusion |
| Intestinal parasites | Seeds | Traditional remedy |
| Astringent | Bark | Decoction |
Other Uses
| Use | Part | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shade tree | Whole tree | Excellent urban/rural shade |
| Timber | Wood | Hard, durable, used locally |
| Honey production | Flowers | Good bee forage |
| Ornamental | Tree | Attractive specimen |
Cultivation
Growing Mamón
Production Notes
| Factor | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Years to fruit (seed) | 8-10 years | Slow to mature |
| Years to fruit (air layer) | 4-5 years | Faster method |
| Productive lifespan | 50+ years | Long-lived |
| Yield | Variable | Depends on pollination |
| Season | June-August | Peak in Costa Rica |
Cultural Significance
In Costa Rican Life
A Seasonal Celebration
Mamón season marks a distinct time in Costa Rican culture:
- Anticipation: People wait all year for mamón
- Social eating: Shared among friends and family
- Childhood memories: Associated with school and summer
- Street culture: Part of informal economy
- Regional identity: Common throughout Pacific coast
The short season (2-3 months) makes the fruit more special—when it's gone, you wait another year!
Economic Role
| Aspect | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial orchards | Limited | Most trees are wild/backyard |
| Street vendors | Significant | Seasonal income source |
| Market sales | Strong seasonal | Popular when available |
| Processing | Minimal | Mostly fresh consumption |
Conservation Status
IUCN Status: Least Concern (LC)
The mamón is widely distributed and extensively cultivated throughout its range. While not native to Costa Rica, it has naturalized and is not considered invasive. The species faces no significant threats.
Quick Identification Guide
Key Identification Features
- Medium-large tree (15-25 m) with dense rounded crown 2. Compound leaves with typically 4 leaflets and winged stem 3. Smooth gray bark becoming fissured with age 4. Grape-like clusters of small round green fruits 5. Thin brittle shell cracking to reveal gelatinous flesh 6. Large seed with thin layer of translucent pulp 7. Sweet-tart taste with slight astringency
Similar Species
| Species | Distinction from Mamón | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Rambutan | Hairy red skin, white flesh | Very different fruit appearance |
| Lychee | Bumpy red skin, larger flesh | Different fruit structure |
| Longan | Brown skin, sweeter | Different origin and appearance |
| Sapindus (Soapberry) | Same family, toxic fruit | Fruit not edible |
References and Further Reading
| Resource | Type | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Morton, Fruits of Warm Climates | Book | Comprehensive guide |
| Caribbean Fruit Trees | Technical | Cultivation methods |
| Costa Rican Market Fruits | Local | Seasonal availability |
| Sapindaceae Family Studies | Scientific | Botanical relationships |
