Gally Pear, Garlic Pear Tree
Crateva tapia

Family: Capparaceae

What it is like

A tree which grows 5-25 m high. The bark of the trunk is grey and smooth. The leaves have 3 leaflets. The leaflets are elliptic and taper to a point. The leaflets are 5-15 cm long and 3-7 cm wide. The flowers are in a cluster. They have a smell. The petals are enlarged and creamy white. The stamens are purple. The fruit are 4-5 cm across and greenish orange when ripe. The outer layer is leathery. The flesh is whitish and with many seeds. The seeds are 0.8 cm across. The fruit have a bad smell but are edible.

There are 6 Crateva species. This is possibly now in the Brassicaceae family.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in damp areas near the seashore. It grows from sea level to 1200 m altitude. In Argentina it grows below 500 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, North America, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, South America, Suriname, Venezuela, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit can be eaten. They have a garlic taste. They are used for drinks and for liqueurs.

Edible parts

Fruit, spice

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. The seed need cold treatment. Plants can also be grafted. The seed from ripe fruit germinate in 2-3 weeks.

It is very fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

Bat and ball, Cabaca, Cabaceira-do-pantanol, Cabeceira, Ishiri, Pan y agua, Pau-d'alho, Spider flower tree, Tapia fruit, Tapia, Trapia

Synonyms

Capparis ternata Tafalla; Cleome arborea Schrad. [Illegitimate]; Crateva acuminata DC.; Crateva arborea DC.; Crateva bahiana Ule; Crateva benthamii Eichler; Crateva benthamii var. leptopetala Eichler; Crateva coriacea Herzog; Crateva glauca Lundell; Crateva gynandra L.; Crateva radiatiflora DC.; Crateva tapia var. glauca (Lundell) Standl. & Steyerm.; Crateva tapoides DC.;