🍋 Yellow Nance (*Byrsonima crassifolia*)
🔤 Name English / nombre español / Name Deutsch
Yellow Nance / Nance / Nance
📄 General description
Yellow Nance (Byrsonima crassifolia) is a small to medium-sized fruit tree native to tropical dry and humid regions of the Americas, including Central America and northern South America. It typically grows between 5 and 10 meters tall and develops a dense, rounded to irregular crown. The tree is well adapted to poor or compacted soils and shows high drought resistance once established.
It is especially known for its prolific production of small, round, bright yellow fruits that emit a strong, characteristic aroma when ripe. These fruits often drop naturally to the ground and are collected by humans and wildlife alike. Yellow Nance plays an important ecological role, providing food for birds, mammals, and insects.
The species is widely used in traditional food culture and home remedies, and it is also valued in reforestation and agroforestry systems for its hardiness and utility.
🌿 Botanical Characteristics:
Family
Malpighiaceae / (Barbados cherry family)
Growth and Structure
Yellow Nance is typically a slow- to moderate-growing species that forms a small to medium-sized tree, reaching heights between 5 and 10 meters. It develops a dense, spreading canopy with irregular branching. The trunk is often short and can be slightly twisted, with rough, grey-brown bark that tends to flake with age. The tree has a deep and extensive root system, which contributes to its drought tolerance and soil-stabilizing qualities. Its growth habit allows it to thrive in full sun, and it is well adapted to poor, compacted, or even rocky soils. Due to its relatively modest size and resilience, Yellow Nance is a suitable species for agroforestry systems, home gardens, and reforestation projects in tropical climates.
Leaves
The leaves of Byrsonima crassifolia are simple, opposite, and oblong to oval in shape, typically measuring 4 to 12 cm in length. They have smooth, entire margins and a leathery texture with a slightly glossy surface. The upper side is dark green, while the underside is paler and may appear slightly hairy, especially in young leaves. Leaves are attached with short petioles and tend to cluster near the ends of branches, giving the tree a compact and lush appearance. When crushed, they may emit a subtle, resinous scent. The foliage remains evergreen in tropical climates and is relatively resistant to pests and disease.
Flowers
The flowers of Byrsonima crassifolia are small but striking, arranged in dense, upright terminal clusters (panicles). Each flower has five crinkled, yellow to orange-yellow petals and a prominent central structure with ten stamens. A distinctive feature of the genus is the presence of oil glands that attract specialized pollinators like oil-collecting bees (e.g., Centris species). Blooming typically occurs at the onset of the rainy season, although timing can vary depending on local conditions. The flowering phase is often profuse and visually impressive, transforming the tree into a golden display that attracts a wide range of insects. On our finca, the vibrant blossoms were a highlight of the season.
Pollination
Byrsonima crassifolia is primarily pollinated by oil-collecting bees, especially from the genus Centris. Unlike many plants that offer nectar, the flowers of Nance produce floral oils, which these specialized bees collect to feed their larvae. This mutualistic relationship ensures effective pollination. The bright yellow-orange color and dense floral clusters help attract pollinators during the blooming season. Insects visiting the flowers also include native bees, flies, and occasionally butterflies, though only oil-specialist bees can access the primary reward. The reliance on native pollinators makes Byrsonima an ecologically important species in tropical forest ecosystems.
Sexual System
Hermaphroditic
Sexual System Notes
Byrsonima crassifolia is a hermaphroditic species, meaning each flower contains both male (stamens) and female (carpels) reproductive organs. This enables individual flowers to self-pollinate under certain conditions, although cross-pollination by insects—especially oil-collecting bees—is more common and generally leads to better fruit set and genetic diversity. Despite having bisexual flowers, successful fruiting often depends on the presence of appropriate pollinators, making it important to preserve local bee populations for consistent yields
🌤️ Soil and Climate Preferences
Byrsonima crassifolia thrives in tropical and subtropical climates with distinct dry and wet seasons. It prefers full sun and performs best in well-drained soils but is remarkably tolerant of poor, compacted, rocky, or even slightly saline conditions. The tree is drought-hardy once established and can grow in marginal areas where many other fruit trees would struggle.
Ideal temperatures range between 20 °C and 32 °C, though the species can tolerate short periods of higher heat or cooler nights. It does not fare well in areas with frequent frost or prolonged waterlogging.
In agroecological terms, Yellow Nance is a low-demand, high-resilience species, making it suitable for reforestation, soil rehabilitation, and home-scale food forests.
🍋 Fruit and Use:
General Use
Yellow Nance fruits are consumed both fresh and processed. Although the taste is unusual—sweet, sour, and musky—they are widely appreciated in local food cultures. On our finca, we enjoy them blended into a fruit cream with banana and oat milk or combined with roasted peanuts. Nance is also used for making juices, jams, fermented drinks, ice cream, and vinegar. The fruit is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, making it a valuable seasonal food. In traditional medicine, Nance fruits have been used to aid digestion, treat diarrhea, and reduce inflammation. Infusions made from the bark are sometimes used for respiratory issues and fever. These uses are still common in rural communities across Central and South America.
Ripening Season in Costa Rica
Fruiting typically begins at the end of the dry season and continues into the early rainy season. On the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, the peak harvest is around June and July. Ripe fruits fall naturally to the ground and are collected daily.
Common Fruit Traits
The fruits are small (1–2 cm), round to slightly oval, and bright yellow when ripe. The pulp is juicy, soft, and aromatic, surrounding a large central seed. The flavor is strong and distinctive—often described as sweet, sour, slightly fermented, and oily. While not to everyone’s taste when raw, the fruit becomes mild and creamy when processed.
Climacteric Category
Non-climacteric
👉🏿 Climacteric category overview
Climacteric Category Notes
Does not ripen after harvest. Fruits should be picked fully ripe or once they fall from the tree.
🌱 Propagation and Grafting
Yellow Nance is most commonly propagated by seed, with vegetative methods like grafting being possible but rarely used. Detailed propagation notes are included in the individual plant entries.
✂️ Care & Challenges:
Pruning
Yellow Nance generally requires minimal pruning. Light structural pruning in the early years can help establish a strong framework and balanced canopy. Occasional thinning may improve airflow and light penetration, especially in humid climates. Dead or damaged branches can be removed as needed.
Diseases and Pests
This species is relatively hardy and not particularly prone to disease. However, in very humid conditions, fungal issues such as leaf spots or fruit rot may occur. Overripe or fallen fruits can attract fruit flies or ants. In some regions, caterpillars or leaf miners may feed on the foliage, but damage is usually minor and does not require intervention.
Soil and Fertilization
Yellow Nance is tolerant of poor and compacted soils, including clay and rocky substrates. It prefers well-drained conditions but can survive occasional waterlogging. While the tree does not demand rich soil, it benefits from organic matter—mulching with compost or leaf litter supports healthy growth and fruiting. Supplemental fertilization is rarely necessary in biodiverse systems but may be used to enhance productivity.
🧺 Harvest Notes
Yellow Nance fruits typically ripen once a year, often at the onset of the rainy season. The harvest period may vary by region, but on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, peak fruit drop usually occurs between June and July. The fruits fall naturally when fully ripe and are collected from the ground daily to avoid overripening, bruising, or insect damage. Due to the small size and high number of fruits, harvesting can be time-intensive but rewarding. A mature tree can yield hundreds or even thousands of fruits in a single season. Timely collection is important, as the fruits spoil quickly and are often attractive to wildlife.
📍 Individuals in the field
👉 Yellow Nance (*Byrsonima crassifolia*) – House – Field
📷 Photos
🎬 Related Media
🍽️ Recipes
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