Blighia sapida

Akee fruit tree Blighia sapida Sapindaceae The fruit is a 3-lobed, pear-shaped capsule that has a leathery yellow to bright red peel. Fruit is 2.75-4.0 inches (7-10 cm) long. In general, the fruit turns red upon maturity. At maturity the capsule splits open longitudinally (commonly called yawned) to expose 3 large, black, smooth, hard, shiny seeds seated upon and partially embedded in cream-colored, fleshy, and glossy arilli (pulp) (Fig. 1). The base of each aril is attached to the inside of the stem-end of the fruit by a pink to orange-red membrane. Ackee is insect pollinated. Most of the ackee fruit is not edible; only the fleshy pulp (aril) attached to fully developed, inedible seeds may be eaten when fruit is picked at the right stage of development and prepared properly. The fruit must only be picked after the fruit has naturally opened (split; sometimes called awned). All parts of the immature (unripe) or overripe fruit are highly poisonous (hypoglycin A and B toxin). The red tissue and veins that attach the aril to the seed must be removed before eating properly harvested fruit. Scientific Name: Blighia sapida Common Names: ackee, akee, achee, vegetable brains Family: Sapindaceae other names: ackee, akee, achee, vegetable brains