Yellow mombin (hog plum, cajá, jobo) Spondias mombin
Yellow mombin (hog plum, cajá, jobo) (Spondias mombin) is a deciduous perennial fruit plant in the Anacardiaceae family, native to Tropical America (Mexico to Brazil); naturalised in West Africa. It grows 15–25 m (49–82 ft) tall and 8–15 m (26–49 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 4 °C (39 °F). Space plants about 10 m (33 ft) apart.
Plan Yellow mombin (hog plum, cajá, jobo) in your garden →
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Yellow mombin (hog plum, cajá, jobo) at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Anacardiaceae |
| Mature height | 15–25 m (49–82 ft) |
| Mature spread | 8–15 m (26–49 ft) |
| Spacing | 10 m (33 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 4 °C (39 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: fruit |
| Native to | Tropical America (Mexico to Brazil); naturalised in West Africa |
| Common in gardens of | 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇨🇴 Colombia, 🇳🇬 Nigeria, 🇵🇪 Peru |
Is Yellow mombin (hog plum, cajá, jobo) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Yellow mombin (hog plum, cajá, jobo)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Yellow mombin (hog plum, cajá, jobo)
- How far apart should I plant Yellow mombin (hog plum, cajá, jobo)?
- About 10 m (33 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 8–15 m (26–49 ft).
- Does Yellow mombin (hog plum, cajá, jobo) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Yellow mombin (hog plum, cajá, jobo) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Yellow mombin (hog plum, cajá, jobo)?
- It tolerates about 4 °C (39 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Yellow mombin (hog plum, cajá, jobo) flower?
- From about March for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Yellow mombin (hog plum, cajá, jobo) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous.
- What grows well with Yellow mombin (hog plum, cajá, jobo)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Yellow mombin (hog plum, cajá, jobo). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Fruits of Warm Climates (Morton, 1987), Purdue University NewCROP
- Flora e Funga do Brasil, Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (REFLORA)
- PROTA4U: Plant Resources of Tropical Africa, PROTA Foundation, Wageningen
Notes and assumptions
- A tall forest tree with corky bark and fragrant, tart yellow plums used for juice and ice cream (cajá) in Brazil. Branches root readily as living fences.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Mango (dwarf) Mangifera indica
- Peruvian pepper tree Schinus molle
- Smoke tree Cotinus coggygria
- Mastic tree (lentisk) Pistacia lentiscus
- Pistachio Pistacia vera
- Sicilian sumac (spice sumac) Rhus coriaria
- Cashew Anacardium occidentale
- Ambarella (June plum) Spondias dulcis