Perennial Edible Fruits C2P23

Description: Vine. Propagation by seed, cuttings. Fruit 1.5-2 cm in diameter; external color yellow, internal white.

Utilization: Pulp eaten fresh, preserved. Flavor sweet to sour, pleasant. High in vitamin A, medium in calcium. Little potential for wider cultivation.

References: Fouqué 1974, Kennard and Winters 1960.

Capparidaceae

Boscia senegalensis Lam. ex Poir.
Common names: aisen (West Africa); kursan (Arabic).

Origin: Africa (Sahara, Sahel).

Distribution: Africa.

Cultural requirements: Hot, arid or semiarid climate.

Description: Shrub to 5 m. Propagation by seed. Fruit spherical, 1.5-2 cm in diameter.

Utilization: Fruit cooked and eaten after soaking. Locally important. Little potential for wider cultivation

References: Dalziel 1948, Irvine 1961.

Caricaceae

Carica candemarcensis Hook. f. (= C. pubescens Lenné et K. Koch)
Common names: mountain papaya (English); cham-buro, papaya de tierra fria (Spanish).

Origin: South America.

Distribution: South America.

Cultural requirements: Tropical highlands and cool subtropical areas with well-distributed rainfall.

Description: Arborescent herb to 5 m or more. Propagation by seed. Fruit production in 2 years. Fruit 6-20 cm long; external color orange, internal yellow.

Utilization: Pulp made into preserves. Flavor sour, aromatic, pleasant. Locally important but little potential for large-scale cultivation.

References: Badillo 1971, Fouqué 1974.

Carica papaya L.
Common names: papaya, pawpaw (English); papaya, lechosa, fruta bomba (Spanish); papayer (French); mamáo (Portuguese).

Origin: Tropical America.

Distribution: Pantropic.

Cultural requirements: Warm tropical or subtropical climate, fertile soil, well-distributed rainfall. Not tolerant of frost or wind.

Description: Arborescent herb to 8 m. Propagation by seed. Fruit production in 8-10 months. Flowers all year. Dioecious or hermaphroditic. Fruit matures

in 60 days. Fruit spherical to ellipsoid, 10-30 cm long, 400-2,500 g, solitary or in small clusters; external color yellow to orange; internal color yellow, orange, or red.

Utilization: Pulp eaten fresh, made into juice, pre-serves, desserts. Flavor sweet; general appeal. Excellent potential for commercial production in Tropics. Variety selection, propagation, cultural-method research in South Africa, South America, U.S.A. (Florida, Hawaii).

References: Ochse et al. 1961, Yee et al. 1970.

Caryocaraceae

Caryocar nuciferum L. (= C. villosum Pers.)
Common names: souari nut (English); nuez souari (Spanish); noisette indienne (French).

Origin: South America.

Distribution: South America; introduced into tropical Asia.

Cultural requirements: Humid lowland tropical forest.

Description: Tree to 30 m. Propagation by seed. Fruit 10-15 cm in diameter; exterior gray brown.

Utilization: Seeds eaten fresh, roasted; source of oil. Flavor good. Locally important with fair possibility far further development.

Reference: Fouqué 1974. Chrysobalanaceae

Cbrysobalanus icaco L.
Common names: coco plum (English); icaco, hicaco Spanish); icaque (French); abajeru (Portuguese).

Origin: Central and South America, West Indies.

Distribution: Pantropic.

Cultural requirements: Hot tropical lowlands, poor to fertile soils, coastal to inland sites. Usually found where soil moist or flooded.

Description: Shrub or tree to 8 m. Propagation by seed or cuttings. Flowers in two or more flushes a year. Fruit spherical to ellipsoid, 2-3 cm long; external color white, pink, or purple; internal color white.

Utilization: Pulp eaten fresh, canned. Seed cooked. Flavor sweet, somewhat insipid. Important in local areas; little potential for large-scale production.

Reference: Fouqué 1974.

Licania platypus Fritsh.
Common names: sunsapote (English); zapote cabillo (Spanish), sansapote (Philippines).

Origin: Central and South America.

Distribution: Central and South America, Philippines.

Perennial Edible Fruits of the Tropics

Capparidaceae

Caricaceae

Caryocaraceae