Pickle fruit randia
Randia echinocarpa

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 6 m tall. The plant has spines in groups of four at the ends of the branches. It can lose its leaves during the dry season. The flowers are white or pale yellow. The fruit are round. The ripe fruit are yellow with small flat seeds in a black pulp.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in dry thickets on hillsides. It grows at low to medium altitudes. It grows between 50-1,700 m above sea level. It grows in open locations.

Countries/locations it is found in

Central America, Mexico, North America

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. The bark is chopped, ground and boiled and used as a catalyst for making alcoholic drinks. Caution: Alcohol is a cause of cancer.

The fruit is appreciated locally. They are popular with children.

Edible parts

Fruit, bark

How it is grown

Plants flower in July.

Its other names

Local names

Durazno de campo, Hosokola, Josoina, Kakwara, Membrillo de zorro, Papache

Synonyms

Basanacantha echinocarpa (Moc. & Sesse ex DC.) Bullock; Genipa echinocarpa (Moc. & Sesse) A. Gray; Solena echinocarpa (Moc. & Sesse) D. Dietr.;