Perennial Edible Fruits C2P22

Canarium ovatum Engler
Common names: pili nut (English); anangi, pill (Philippines).

Origin: Philippines.

Distribution: Widespread in Tropics.

Cultural requirements: Hot, humid tropical lowlands.

Description: Tree to 20 m. Propagation by seed. Fruit 5-7 cm long, in large clusters; external color black, internal white.

Utilization: Pulp cooked, source of oil. Seed roasted. Flavor excellent; high appeal. High oil and protein content. Great potential in humid Tropics.

References: Brown 1920, Leon 1968, Wester 1925.

Canarium schweinfurthii Engler
Common names: incense tree, African elemi (English).

Origin: Tropical Asia.

Distribution: Africa.

Cultural requirements: Hot tropical climate.

Description: Tree to 40 m. Propagation by seed. Flowers March-May (Africa). Fruit matures in 90 days. Fruit 3.5 cm long; external color bluish black, internal white to cream.

Utilization: Pulp eaten fresh as condiment. Seed roasted, source of oil (shea butter). Flavor good. Limited potential outside native area.

References: Dalziel 1948, Irvine 1961.

Dacryodes edulis H. J. Lem. (= Pachylobus adults G. Don)
Common names: bush butter (English); safoutier (French).

Origin: Tropical west Africa.

Distribution: Tropical Africa, Malaya.

Cultural requirements: Relatively dry tropical savanna.

Description: Tree. Propagation by seed, cuttings. Fruit production in 5-6 years from seed. Fruit exterior color blue black.

Utilization: Pulp eaten fresh, roasted, boiled as dessert, with curries. Flavor subacid, pleasant. Rich in oil and starch. Widely used in native area. Moderate potential for development.

Reference: Dalziel 1948.

Cactaceae

Hylocereus undatus Britt. et Rose
Common names: night-blooming cereus, strawberry pear (English); pitaya, pitahaya (Spanish); cierge lézard, poire de chardon (French).

Origin: Mexico, Central America.

Distribution: Pantropic.

Cultural requirements: Warm tropical lowlands with low to high rainfall.

Description: Vine. Propagation by seed, more com-monly by cuttings. Fruit 7-12 cm long; external color red, internal white.

Utilization: Pulp eaten fresh, used in desserts. Flavor sweet, pleasant. Locally important but little poten-tial for commercial production.

References: Fouqué 1974, Ruehle et al. 1958.

Lemaireocereus thurberi Britt. et Rose
Common names: sweet pitaya (English); pitaya, pitahaya (Spanish).

Origin: Mexico, U.S.A.

Distribution: Mexico, U.S.A.

Cultural requirements: Dry, hot subtropical climate.

Description: "Tree" to 7 m. Propagation by seed, cut-tings. Fruit 4-7 cm long; external color red, in-terior red or yellow.

Utilization: Pulp eaten fresh, in desserts. Flavor sweet, pleasant. Locally important but little poten-tial for commercial development.

Reference: Fouqué 1974.

Opuntia ficus-indica Mill.
Common names: prickly pear, Indian fig (English); cardón de México, chumbo, higo, tuna (Spanish); chardon d'Inde, figuier d'Inde (French).

Origin: Mexico.

Distribution: Tropics, subtropics.

Cultural requirements: Cool semiarid climate. Calcareous soil best.

Description: "Shrub" to 5 m. Propagation by seed, more commonly by cuttings. Fruit production in 5-6 years from seed, 2-3 years from cuttings. Fruit matures in 90 or more days. Fruit 4-9 cm long; external color purple or red, internal red.

Utilization: Pulp eaten fresh, dried, made into jelly, candy, preserves. Flavor sweet, pleasant. Locally important but little potential for expansion as commercial crop.

Reference: Fouqué 1974.

Pereskia aculeata Plum. ex Mill.
Common names: Barbados gooseberry, lemon vine English); corona de novia, grosellero, guamacho (Spanish); cactier à fruits feuilles, groseillier de Barbade (French); mata velha (Portuguese).

Origin: Tropical America.

Distribution: Tropical America.

Cultural requirements: Hot tropical climate with medium to high rainfall.

Perennial Edible Fruits of the Tropics

Cactaceae