Coco plum

The Coco Plum (Chrysobalanus icaco) is a tropical and subtropical shrub or small tree in the family Chrysobalanaceae, valued for its edible fruits and ecological importance as a coastal pioneer species. Plants typically grow 1–6 metres tall, producing oval, leathery leaves and small white flowers in axillary clusters. The round to oval drupes, measuring 2–4 centimetres in diameter, ripen to white, yellow, pink, or purple-black depending on variety and are consumed fresh or preserved as jam and wine. Native to tropical America from Florida through the Caribbean and Central America to Brazil, the species also occurs along tropical African coasts and has been introduced to parts of Asia. It is well-adapted to sandy coastal soils, saline conditions, and periodic flooding, colonising beach margins, mangrove edges, and tropical swamp margins. Chrysobalanus icaco plays an important role in stabilising coastal substrates and providing food and cover for wildlife, including shorebirds and small mammals that consume the fruit. Traditional medicinal uses are widespread: leaf extracts are employed for diabetes, diarrhoea, and wound healing across its range. The seed kernel is rich in oil used locally for cooking and cosmetic purposes. IUCN has not formally evaluated this species, and its populations appear stable across its wide natural range.