Eggfruit (Canistel) Book Abstract
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Published: December 14, 2007
The Egg Fruit or Canistel (Pouteria campechiana), is a large open-growing evergreen tree native to Central America. it grows to a height of about thirty to forty feet with about an equal width and has light to dark green leaves four to eight inches long with prominent veins. Leaves or branches, if cut, have a clear, milky sap which is an easy way of identification of this tree. Small greenish-white flowers in small clusters are produced from late spring through early fall and the fruits mature primarily September through March. Fruits are bright orange and may be oblong or almost round, but usually most have a point at one end. Size can vary from two and a half to as much as five inches in diameter. Flesh color is bright orange or pumpkin-colored with a dry to moist consistency depending on the variety. Flesh is eaten fresh and also used for pies, milk shakes and ice cream. The color of the flesh often reminds one of the color of an egg yolk which gives it one of its common names, egg fruit. Trees are propagated easily from seeds. However, superior varieties are usually grafted or airlayered. Seedling trees may take two years or more to begin production, while grafted or airlayered trees usually provide fruit the next season. Occasional problems such as scale insects may affect trees, but usually these are not serious enough to kill it.