The tree can be raised from seed or cuttings, and grows up to 50 feet (15 metres) tall,
There are male and female plants; the female ones bear the fruit. In some parts of the world (such as southern India), a tree will produce 2 crops a year, though they need four years of growth at the start to being producing good crops.
The trees have green, smooth, pointed leaves 3/4 to 3 inches (2 to 7 1/2 cm) long, and bloom with reddish flowers. The fruit grows in clusters on both old and young branches.
The fruit is about the size of a grape, 3/4 to 1 inch (2 to 2 1/2 cm) thick. Its ribbed on the outside with 6 to 8 ribs, and its waxy skin ripens to a pale greeny yellow.
Inside, it has crisp yellow flesh, and a hard pit in the middle with 6 to 8 seeds inside that.
The flavour is very tart. When cooked, it turns red.
It can be made into jelly, jams or pickled preserves, or used as a tart flavouring as lemon juice is.
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|
Amount
|
| Fat | |
.5 g
|
| Protein | |
.2 g
|
| Vitamin C | |
4.5 mg
|
| Calcium | |
5.4 mg
|
| Phosphorus | |
18 mg
|
History Notes
Probably native to Madagascar. Introduced into Jamaica in 1793 and from there spread through the Caribbean. Has naturalized itself in Central America and most of South America.