Camu Camu (mycaria Dubia)

Camu-Camu is a low-growing shrub found throughout the Amazon rainforest, mainly in swampy or flooded areas. It produces round, light-orange colored fruits about the size of lemons that have the highest recorded source of natural vitamin C known on the planet. Analysis of this purple plum-like fruit shows it contains 30 to 60 times more vitamin C than an orange. Camu-Camu also contains thiamin, riboflavin and niacin and is also rich in bioflavonoids. The Camu-Camu holds real economic promise for local economies in the Amazon. A forest stand of camu-camu is worth twice the amount to be gained from cutting down the rainforest and replacing it with cattle.