Babaco
Vasconcellea x heilbornii

Family: Caricaceae

What it is like

Babaco, Vasconcellea x heilbornii, is a small evergreen tree that is short-lived and grows about 2 m high. It is a hybrid cultivar between Vasconcellea cundinamarcensis and Vasconcellea stipulata. Of all the species in the Vasconcellea genus, Babaco is the most tolerant to cold. It produces only female flowers and can produce 30-60 fruits in a year. The fruits are eaten raw or cooked. It is fragrant and flavorful, and seedless. Plant is propagated by rooting axillary shoots.

Vasconcellea x heilbornii is an evergreen Tree growing to 2 m (6ft) by 1.5 m (5ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 2

Where it is found

Not known

S. America - Andes.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 4

Fruit - raw or cooked. Fragrant and flavourful. The flavour has been likened to the taste of strawberry, with a hint of pineapple. The fruit is usually seedless and can weigh 2 kilos.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 0

Other Uses None known

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

A plant of the highland tropics, where it is usually found at elevations of 1,400 - 2,50 metres. It can also be grown at lower elevations in subtropical and warm, essentially frost-free temperate areas. Yields of over 100 tonnes per hectare are possible. There are several named varieties. The plant coppices well. Although this species is dioecious (male and female flowers on separate plants), fruits are usually produced parthenocarpically, without the need of pollen for fertilisation. A few viable seeds will often be produced, however, if the flower is pollinated.

Propagating it: Seed - unlikely to breed true since this is a hybrid species. Seeds are sometimes produced when the flowers are fertilized, these can be used to propagate the plant. Sow the seed in individual containers or in a nursery seedbed in light shade. Germination can be slow and difficult, taking about 30 days. Seedlings can be planted out when 4 - 6 months old. Cuttings work fairly well and maintain female lines that do not need pollination in order to produce fruit..

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Carica chrysopetala Heilborn Carica pentagona Heilborn Carica x heilbornii V.M.Badillo