Perennial Edible Fruits C2P55

Cultural requirements: Cool tropical or subtropical climate with well-distributed medium to high rainfall. Not tolerant of drought or frost; tolerant of a variety of soil conditions.

Description: Shrub to 3 m. Propagation by seed, tip layering, cuttings. Fruit production in 1-2 years from seed, 1 year from vegetative propagation. Flowers December-April (Florida). Fruit matures in 90 days. Fruit 1.5-2 cm in diameter, in clusters of 10-15, purple.

Utilization: Pulp eaten fresh, in juice, jelly, jam, desserts. Flavor sweet; moderate appeal. Good crop for home garden. Limited possibility for commercial planting.

Reference: Ledin 1953.

Rubus macrocarpus Benth.
Common names: mora, frambuesa (Spanish).

Origin: South America (Andes).

Distribution: South America.

Cultural requirements: Tropical highland climate. Description: Shrub. Propagation by seed, cuttings. Fruit ellipsoid, up to 5 cm long, red.

Utilization: Fruit eaten fresh, in juice, preserves, desserts. Flavor subacid; moderate appeal. Little potential for commercial cultivation.

Rubus rosaefolius Smith.
Common names: thimbleberry (English); zarza, frambuesa (Spanish).

Origin: India.

Distribution: Introduced into many areas of Tropics.
Cultural requirements: Warm to cool tropical climate at low and middle elevations.

Description: Trailing shrub. propagation by seed, cuttings. Fruit 2-2.5 cm long, red.

Utilization: Pulp eaten fresh, as juice, jelly, desserts. Flavor sweet; limited appeal. Little potential for commercial production.

References: Leon 1968. Neal 1965.

Rubiaceae

Alibertia edulis A. Rich.
Common names: purui, apurui, mermelada (Portuguese).

Origin: South America.

Distribution: South America.

Cultural requirements: Hot tropical lowlands.

Description: Shrub or small tree. Propagation by seed, Dioecious. Fruit ovoid, 1.5-3 cm in diameter, exterior color yellowish brown.

Utilization: Pulp eaten fresh, in beverages. Moderate appeal. Little potential for cultivation.

Reference: Hoehne 1946.

Borojoa patinoi Cuatr.
Common name: borojo (Spanish).

Origin: Colombia.

Distribution: Colombia.

Cultural requirements: Warm tropical lowlands. with medium rainfall, heavy soils.

Description: Small tree. Propagation by seed. Fruit globose, 6-8 cm in diameter; external color green, internal brown to black.

Utilization: Pulp eaten fresh, in desserts. Flavor sweet, some bitterness; moderate appeal. Little potential as commercial crop.

Reference: Pérez-Arbelaez 1956.

Genipa americana L.
Common names: genipap, marmalade box (English); bilito, genipa, huitu, jagua, maluco (Spanish); genipapo (Portuguese).

Origin: West Indies, South America.

Distribution: Some introduction into other areas of Tropics.
Cultural requirements: Hot tropical lowlands with medium to high rainfall. Tolerant of seasonal dry period. Injured at temperatures a few degrees above freezing

Description: Tree to 20 m. Propagation by seed, grafting. Fruit globose, 5-8 cm in diameter, external color to gray.

Utilization: Pulp eaten fresh, in beverages; fermented to make alcoholic beverages. Flavor sweet, aromatic; moderate appeal. Little potential for expanded production.

References: Fouqué 1974, Hoehne 1946, Popenoe 1939.

Randia formosa K. Schum.
Common name: Blackberry jam fruit (English).

Origin: Brazil.

Distribution: Introduced into various places in Tropics but rare.
Cultural requirements: Hot, wet tropical lowlands with acidsoils.

Description: Shrub. Propagation by seed. Fruit external color yellow, internal black.

Utilization: Pulp eaten fresh, in beverages. Flavor sweet; low appeal. No potential for commercial production.

Reference: Neal 1965.

Perennial Edible Fruits of the Tropics

Rubiaceae