Genipa americana () is a species of trees in the family Rubiaceae. It is native to the tropical forests of North and South America, as well as the Caribbean.
Description
Genipa americana trees are up to 30 m tall and up to 60 cm dbh. Their bark is smooth with little fissures. It is present from sea level up to 1200 m of elevation,
Vernacular names
In English, the tree is known as the genip tree and the fruit as genipap .
Colombia: jagua, caruto, huito;
Its name has been reconstructed as we'e (<nowiki>*</nowiki>weʔe) in Proto-Tucanoan.
Chemical compounds
The following compounds have been isolated from G. americana: genipic acid, genipinic acid, (all three from the fruit) and geniposidic acid (leaves).
This species is also cultivated for its edible fruits, which are eaten in preserves or made into drinks, jelly, or ice cream.