Perennial Edible Fruits C2P63

Origin: South America (upper Amazon).

Distribution: South America; some introduction elsewhere but rare.

Cultural requirements: Hot, wet tropical lowlands with light well-drained soils. Not tolerant of root-knot nematodes.
Description: Herbaceous shrub to 2 m. Propagation by seed Fruit ovoid, 7-10 cm in diameter; external color white or yellow, sometimes with purple markings; internal color whitish.

Utilization: Pulp made into preserves; eaten fresh only to small extent. Flavor sweet, insipid; limited appeal. Little potential because of limited adaptability.

Reference: Fouqué 1974.

Sterculiaceae

Cola acuminata Schott at Endl. (a very similar species is C. nitida A. Chev.)
Common names: cola nut, kola nut (English); obi abata (west Africa).

Origin: Tropical Africa.

Distribution: Widely introduced into Tropics.

Cultural requirements: Hot, wet tropical lowlands with fertile, well-drained, medium-acid soil high in organic content. Not tolerant of high-pH soils or frost.

Description: Tree to 20 m (usually smaller). Propagation by seed, layering, cuttings. Fruit 20 cm long, 6-7 cm in diameter, solitary; external color brown, internal whitish; seeds white, red, or pink.

Utilization: Seeds used fresh as masticatory and as source of extracts for beverages and drugs. No potential as food crop. Moderate potential in production of beverages and stimulants.

References: Burkill 1935. Dalziel 1948, Irvine 1961.

Sterculia foetida L.
Common names: Java olive (English); kelumpang (Malaya); sam (Thai).

Origin: Tropical Asia.

Distribution: Pantropic.

Cultural requirements: Hot tropical lowlands with medium to high rainfall. Adapted to variety of soil types, seasonal dry period.

Description: Tree to 16 m. Propagation by seed. Polygamous; some trees evidently need cross-pollination for fruit set. Fruit lobed, 7 cm long, 12 cm in diameter; external color brown to red: seeds bluish or gray.

Utilization: Seeds eaten fresh, roasted; source of cooking oil; adulterant for chocolate. Flavor nutty; moderate appeal. Purgative if eaten in quantity. Little potential for cultivation as food crop.

References: Burkill 1935, Dalziel 1948, Neal 1965.

Sterculia monosperma Ventenat (=S. nobilis Smith)
Common names: China chestnut, noble battle tree (English); pheng phok (Thai).

Origin: China, Thailand.

Distribution: China, Thailand, Sumatra, Taiwan.

Cultural requirements: Hot, wet tropical lowlands. Tolerates a variety of soil conditions.

Description: Tree to 13 m. Propagation by seed. Fruit 9 cm long, 5 cm in diameter, in clusters of 12 or more; external color red; seeds black.

Utilization: Seeds eaten after cooking. Little potential for wider cultivation.

Reference: Molesworth Allen 1967.

Theobroma bicolor Humb. et Bonpl.
Common names: mocambo, pataste (Spanish); cacao do Peru (Portuguese).

Origin: Mexico, Central and South America.

Distribution: Introduced elsewhere into Tropics but not common outside tropical America.

Cultural requirements: Hot, wet tropical lowlands.

Description: Tree to 12 m. Propagation by seed. Fruit
ellipsoid, 15-20 cm long, 10-11 cm in diameter.

Utilization: Pulp eaten fresh. Seeds roasted, cooked with other foods Flavor of pulp subacid, pleasant; odor somewhat disagreeable. Little potential for commercial production.

References: Fouqué 1974, Leon 1968.

Theobroma cacao L.
Common names: cocoa, cacao (English); cacao (Spanish); cacao, cacaotier (French); cacau (Portuguese).

Origin: South America.

Distribution: Pantropic.

Cultural requirements: Hot, wet tropical lowlands with fertile well-drained soils. Often grown in light shade. Not tolerant of frost.

Description: Tree to 8 m. Propagation by seed, layering, cuttings, grafting. Flowers June-July, September-October (Northern Hemisphere). Self-sterility common; cross-pollination desirable. Fruit matures in 120-150 days. Fruit ellipsoid, 15-30 cm long; external color yellow, orange, red, purple, or brown; pulp white, pink, or brown.

Perennial Edible Fruits of the Tropics

Sterculiaceae