Perennial Edible Fruits C2P54

Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.
Common names: Loquat, Japanese plum (English); nispero del Japón (Spanish); néflier du Japan, bibace (French).

Origin: China.

Distribution: Subtropics, highland Tropics.

Cultural requirements: Grows and fruits well in subtropical or tropical highland climates with well-distributed medium rainfall. Tolerant of variety of soil conditions. Does not fruit well in hot tropical climate or in areas where subjected to frost during bloom or fruit development.

Description: Tree to 10 m. Propagation by seed, grafting. Fruit production in 5-6 years from seed, 2-3 years from grafts. Flowers in October-December, sometimes August-September (Florida). Fruit matures in about 120 days. Fruit ellipsoid to pyriform, 3-7 cm long, 10-40 g, in clusters of 8-20; external color yellow or orange, internal white, yellow, or orange.

Utilization: Pulp eaten fresh, stewed, preserved, in jellies. Flavor sour, subacid, or sweet; universal appeal. Excellent crop for home gardens and local marketing. Little potential as major commerical crop. Many varieties selected in China, Japan, India, U.S.A. (California, Florida).

References: Condit 1915, Popenoe 1939.

Fragaria vesca L.
Common name: Woodland strawberry (English).

Origin: Eurasia, North America.

Distribution: Temperate Zone, subtropics, highland Tropics.
Cultural requirements: Cool climate with well distributed medium rainfall.

Description: Perennial herb to 18 cm. Propagation by seed, division. Fruit conical, 1-2 cm in diameter, red or white.

Utilization: Fruit eaten fresh, in preserves. Flavor sweet; general appeal. Useful in development of cultivated strawberry varieties having good commercial potential.

Prunus salicifolia H.B.K. (= P. capollin Zucc.)
Common names: capulin cherry (English); capulin, cerezo (Spanish); capulin, cerisier capulin (French).

Origin: Central and South America.

Distribution: Widely introduced into cool climates but common only in native area.

Cultural requirements: Cool subtropical or tropical highland climate with well-distributed medium rainfall.

Description: Tree to 12 m. Propagation by seed, grafting. Fruit production in 6-8 years from seed, 3-4 years from grafts. Flowers September-October (Ecuador). Fruit globose, 1-2 cm in diameter, in clusters of 7-10; external color black or purple, internal greenish yellow.

Utilization: Pulp eaten fresh, canned, in liqueurs. Flavor sweet, often astringent; moderate appeal. Little potential for existing selections, but could be improved greatly through breeding and selection.

References: Fouqué 1974, Popenoe 1939.

Rubus adenotrichus Schlecht.
Common names: blackberry (English); frambuesa, mora, mora comun (Spanish).

Origin: Mexico, Central and South America.

Distribution: Mexico, Central and South America.

Cultural requirements: Subtropical or tropical highland climate.

Description: Shrub to 5 m. Propagation by seed, division. Fruit ellipsoid, 2 cm long, purple.

Utilization: Fruit eaten fresh, in juice, jellies, desserts. Flavor sweet; general appeal. Important in local areas but little potential for commercial production.

Reference: Popenoe 1924.

Rubus glaucus Benth.
Common names: Andean blackberry (English); more de Castilla (Spanish); mure des Andes (French).

Origin: South America (Andes).

Distribution: Widely introduced into tropical highland and subtropics but not common outside South and Central America.

Cultural requirements: Subtropical or tropical highland climate with well-distributed medium rainfall.

Description: Scandent shrub to 3 m. Propagation by seed, cuttings. Fruit production in 2 years from seed, 1 year from cuttings. Fruit ellipsoid, 2.5-3 cm long, red to purple.

Utilization: Fruit eaten fresh, in juice, sirup, preserves, desserts. Flavor sweet to subacid, aromatic; high appeal. Good potential for commercial production in suitable climate.

References: Fouqué 1974, Popenoe 1924.

Rubus lasiocarpus Smith (= R. albescens Roxb.)
Common names: Mysore raspberry, Ceylon raspberry, hill raspberry (English).

Origin: Mountains of tropical Asia.

Distribution: Widely introduced but not common outside native area.

Perennial Edible Fruits of the Tropics