Perennial Edible Fruits C2P53

Punicaceae

Punica granatum L.
Common names: pomegranate (English); granada (Spanish); grenade (French); shih-liu (China).

Origin: Middle East.

Distribution: Subtropical and cool tropical areas.

Cultural requirements: Subtropical climate. Well adapted to hot conditions, but can tolerate temperatures to -8° C Tolerant of dry condi-tions, heavy soils, poor drainage. Poor growth in calcareous soils.

Description: Shrub or small tree to 6 m. Propagation by seed, cuttings, layering. Fruit production in 3-4 years from seed. Fruit globose to ovoid, 5-10 cm in diameter; external color yellow or red, internal white, yellow, or red.

Utilization: Pulp eaten fresh, in beverages. Flavor sweet or subacid; moderate appeal. Little potential for expanded cultivation.

References: Leon 1968, Popenoe 1939.

Rhamnaceae

Ziziphus jujuba Mill.
Common names: Chinese jujube, tsao (China).

Origin: Asia.

Distribution: Subtropics, warm Temperate Zone.

Cultural requirements: Hot, relatively dry climate during growing season, cool to cold during dormancy. Tolerant of temperatures to - 10° C during dormancy.

Description: Deciduous tree to 10 m. Propagation by seed, cuttings, grafting. Fruit ellipsoid, 2-3 cm long; external color dark red to brown, internal whitish.

Utilization: Pulp eaten fresh, dried, stewed, candied, preserved. Flavor sweet; moderate appeal. Important in native area; little potential for commercial production elsewhere. Many varieties in China.

References: Popenoe 1939.

Ziziphus mauritiana Lam.
Common names: Indian jujube (English); beri (India).

Origin: India.

Distribution: Tropics, warm subtropics.

Cultural requirements: Warm to hot tropical climate with low to relatively high rainfall. Tolerant of poor soils, flooding; not tolerant of frost.

Description: Tree to 12 m. Propagation by seed, cuttings, grafting. Flowers July-September (Florida). Fruit matures in 180 days. Fruit ellipsoid, 2.5-4 cm long, solitary; external color brown, internal whitish.

Utilization: Pulp eaten fresh, dried, stewed, candled, preserved. Flavor sweet; moderate appeal. Important in native area; little potential for commercial production elsewhere.

References: Popenoe 1939, Ruehle et al. 1958.

Ziziphus spina-christi Willd.
Common names: Christ's-thorn (English).

Origin: Africa.

Distribution: Africa, Middle East.

Cultural requirements: Hot tropical or subtropical climate with low to medium rainfall.

Description: Shrub or tree to 10 m. Propagation by seed. Fruit 2 cm long.

Utilization: Pulp eaten fresh, dried, cooked, preserved. Limited potential for wider cultivation.

References: Dalziel 1948, Irvine 1961.

Rosaceae

Crataegus pubescens (H.B.K.) Steud.
Common names: Mexican hawthorn, manzanilla (English); manzanilla (Spanish).

Origin: Mexico.

Distribution: Mexico; some introduction into other tropical and subtropical areas.

Cultural requirements: Cool tropical or subtropical climate.

Description: Tree to 13 m. Propagation by seed (can be grafted). Fruit ovoid, 1-2 cm long, external color.

Utilization: Pulp eaten fresh, in jellies, preserves. Flavor sweet; moderate appeal. Good source of vitamins A and C, pectin. Limited potential for commercial production.

References: Coetzee et al. 1950, Standley 1922.

Cydonia oblonga MilI.
Common names: quince (English); membrillo, marumero (Spanish).

Origin: Middle East.

Distribution: Worldwide in Temperate Zone, subtropics, highland Tropics.

Cultural requirements: Temperate, cool tropical, or subtropical climate with well-distributed rainfall, heavy soils. Grows poorly in hot tropical climate.

Description: Shrub or tree to 7 m. Propagation by seed. cuttings, grafting. Fruit irregularly shaped, 7-10 cm long; external color green or yellow, internal pale yellow or white.

Utilization: Pulp used in jellies, preserves. Flavor sour to subacid, often used as rootstock for apples in Tropics.

Reference: Bailey 1949.

Perennial Edible Fruits of the Tropics

Punicaceae

Rhamnaceae

Rosaceae