Perennial Edible Fruits C2P31

Description: Tree to 25 m. Propagation by seed. Flowers June-July (Brazil). Fruit matures in 200-300 days. Fruit t0-12 cm in diameter: external color yellow to brown. internal white.

Utilization: Aril eaten fresh, in desserts. Flavor sub-acid, pleasant. Needs trial elsewhere in Tropics to determine potential.

References: Cavalcante 1972, Fouqué 1974.

Rheedia madruno Planch. et Triana
Common names: madrono (English); madrono, cozoiba (Spanish); madruno (French).

Origin: South America.

Distribution: Introduced elsewhere but rare.

Cultural requirements: Hot. humid tropical lowlands.

Description: Tree to 8 m. Propagation by seed. Fruit
3-7 cm long; external color yellow, internal white. Utilization: Aril eaten fresh, preserved. Flavor sub-
acid, pleasant; high appeal. Good potential for
wider trial in Tropics.

Reference: Fouqué 1974.

Juglandaceae

Carya illinoensis (Wang.) K. Koch
Common names: pecan (English); nuez de pecan, nogal pecanero, pacana (Spanish); noix de pecan, pacanier (French).

Origin: U.S.A., Mexico.

Distribution: Tropical and subtropical highlands; warm Temperate Zone.

Cultural requirements: Best in temperate and cool subtropical climates. Deep, fertile soil best. Cool weather during dormancy required for successful flowering.

Description: Tree to 50 m. Propagation by seed, grafting. Fruit production in 10-12 years from seed, 5-8 years from grafts. Flowers in April-May (U.S.A.). Monoecious. Fruit matures in about 150 days. Fruit ellipsoid, 4-5 cm long, brown.

Utilization: Seed eaten fresh, roasted; used in many food preparations. Flavor excellent, universal appeal. Rich in oil. One of the most important nuts of the world. Good potential for expansion in production in all areas where adapted. Most important work in variety improvement and culture in U.S.A. (Texas and Florida).

References: Phillips et al. 1960, Sargent 1922, Sharpe and Gammon 1958.

Juglans honorei Dode
Common names: Ecuador walnut (English); nogal (Spanish); noyer d'equateur (French); tocte (Quechua).

Origin: South America (Andes).

Distribution: South America.

Cultural requirements: Cool climate, low to medium
rainfall. altitude of 1,800-3,000 m in Andes.

Description: Tree to 30 m. Propagation by seed.
Monoecious. Fruit 2.5-4 cm long, brown

Utilization: Seed eaten fresh, used in various food
preparations. Flavor good; general appeal. Local
importance as food crop. Important also for wood.

References: Fouqué 1974, Popenoe 1924.

Lauraceae

Persea americana Mill.
Common names: avocado (English); aguacate, palta (Spanish); avocat (French); abacate (Portuguese).

Origin: Central and South America. Mexico.

Distribution: Tropics and subtropics of world.

Cultural requirements: Tropical or subtropical cli-mate. depending on race. Medium to high rainfall. Tolerant of a variety of soils. Good drainage essen-tial because of susceptibility to Phytophthora root rot.

Description: Tree to 16 m. Propagation by seed, grafting. Fruit production in 5-8 years from seed, 3-4 years from grafts. Flowers February-March (Florida). Synchronous dichogamy in flowering: most varieties benefit from cross pollination. Fruit matures in 120-400 days. depending on race and variety. Fruit spherical, ovoid, ellipsoid, or pyri- form, 8-20 cm long, 200-2,000 g; external color green, red, or purple; interior color yellow or whitish

Utilization: Pulp eaten fresh, mixed with other ingredients in salads, desserts. Flavor nutty, buttery; general appeal. Good source of oil, minerals. Important commercial fruit with good potential for expansion. Large variety collections and work in all aspects of production in Central America, South America, Israel. South Africa, Australia, New Zealand. U.S.A. (California, Florida. Puerto Rico).

References: Popenoe 1939, Sauls et al. 1976.

Perennial Edible Fruits of the Tropics

Juglandaceae

Lauraceae