Edible cyrtocarpa, Cape wild plum
Cyrtocarpa edulis

Family: Anacardiaceae

What it is like

A tree. It loses its leaves in the winter. It grows 6 m tall. The stems are fleshy and branches twisted The leaves are compound with leaflets in pairs along the stalk. The fruit are yellow and the pulp is yellow. They are 2 cm long.

There are 5 Cyrtocarpa species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in the SW Baja California peninsula in Mexico. It grows along the coastal arid strip. It suits hardiness zones 9b-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Mexico, North America

How it is used for food

The seeds can be used for jams and jellies. The fruit can be eaten raw. Caution: The fruit should not be eaten in too large a quantities.

Fruit are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds, nuts

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Ciruela, Ciruelo

Synonyms

Cyrtocarpa edulis var. glabra Leon de la Luz & Perez Navarro; Tapira edulis Brandegee;