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 ¾ to 3 inches (2 to 7 ½ 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, ¾ to 1 inch (2 to 2 ½ 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.
Amount
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Fat |
.5 g
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Protein |
.2 g
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Vitamin C |
4.5 mg
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Calcium |
5.4 mg
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Phosphorus |
18 mg
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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.