Annonaceous Fruits

Atemoya (Annona cherimola x A. squamosa). T. Moderate-sized tree, a hybrid of the cherimoya and the sugar-apple, that combines the excellent fruit quality of the cherimoya with the fitness for low elevations of the sugar-apple. Flowers abundantly in warm weather, but may need to be hand-pollinated to assure fruit set. Desirable varieties are Koller (African Pride) and Bradley. Others are under test.

cherimoya (A. cherimola). St. Small tree adapted to high elevations in tropical South America, producing a large green fruit with a sweet, delicately aromatic pulp that surrounds many smooth dark seeds. Does not grow well in southern Florida but is more successful in California where it withstands temperatures as low as 25 F.

Soursop or guanabana (A. muricata). T. Small tree, very sensitive to sudden cold spells, that bears a large, rough fruit with a refreshing acid flavor that is excellent in drinks and sherbets. Should be planted in a sheltered location.

Sugar-apple (A. squamosa). T. Small tree that bears a soft-pulped, many-seeded fruit similar to the cherimoya but without that fruit's fine aroma. Grows well at sea level in southern Florida and other areas of similar climate.

Cactus Fruits

Indian fig (Opuntia ficus-indica). Wt. Large treelike cactus with smooth flat joints and few spines. Yellow flowers in spring are followed by large red or yellow fruit. Bristles can be irritating; handle fruit with care. Prefers a dry climate and does not thrive in humid situations.

Citrus

Calamodin (Citrus blancoi). Wt. St. Small tree of great ornamental value that grows and fruits well in small containers. The fruits resemble small oranges but are acid and not good to eat out-of-hand. Flavor is excellent for drinks and marmalades.

Grapefruit (Citrus poradisi). St. Medium to large-size tree, excellent for shade and for growing orchids and hanging plants, providing up to 300 pounds of excellent breakfast or juice fruit per year. Varieties include Duncan (white, seedy pulp, excellent flavor), Marsh (white, seedless) and Ruby (pink pulp, seedless).

Kumquat (Fortunella japonica). Wt. Shrub or small tree, very cold-tolerant, extremely attractive when in fruit. Nagami is the most common variety, with oblong fruit, deep orange in color having a thick edible skin and an acid pulp. Adapted to candy making or use in marmalades.

Lemon (Citrus limon). T. Small tree that remains in active growth all year and thus is less cold-resistant than the tangerine or even the orange. Of irregular growth habit, the lemon must be pruned from time to time to promote an attractive shape. Eureka, Lisbon and Villa Franca all bear similar fruit, of acceptable commercial quality; Eureka makes a smaller tree than the others. Novelties are Meyer with a less acid fruit, and Ponderosa, which bears very large, mild-flavored lemons.

Lime (C. latifolia). T. Small tree that bears large, juicy green fruit useful in drinks, pies, and as a condiment. The most disease-resistant and dependably productive variety is the seedless-fruited cultivar known as Tahiti, Persian, or Bearss. Less resistant to disease and cold, and bearing smaller seedy fruit of a delectable flavor, is the Key or Mexican lime, C. aurantifolia. (A hybrid between the Key lime and the Kumquat, the Limequat produces a valuable acid fruit in areas too cold for the lime itself. Eustis fruits well in the open as well as in containers.)

Orange (C. sinense). St. Tree of moderate size, probably the most popular of all citrus fruits, available in a number of varieties that ripen at various seasons. Hamlin is one of the earliest, ripening in November, followed by Pineapple and Washington Navel, which ripen from December to February, and then by Valencia, which ripens in April or later and can be "stored on the tree" into the summer months.

Tangelo (C. reticulata x C. paradisi). St. Tree, hybrid between tangerine and grapefruit, bearing fruit which combines characters from both parents. Vigorous and cold-resistant. Several varieties are available. Minneola and Orlando need to be planted near other citrus trees for cross-pollination. The Temple tangor (C. sinensis x C. paradisi) bears a sweet, juicy fruit similar to tangelos.

Tangerine (C. reticulata). St. Tree of attractive growth habit, fairly resistant to cold, whose beauty is enhanced by the waxy, deep orange-colored fruit in season. Dancy ripens before Christmas, as does Clementine, which can be "stored on the tree" in good condition for months. Closely related are the cold-hardy and early dwarf Owari Satsuma, which ripens from October to Christmas, and the Kara, Honey and Kimow mandarins.

Persimmons

Black-sapote (Diospyros digyna). T. A tropical Mexican and Central American persimmon that grows well in southern Florida. The dark brown pulp is rich in vitamin C, and also a source of calcium and protein. It was important in the diet of Central America before Columbus.

Japanese persimmon (Diospyros kaki). Wt. Small tree, attractive even when out of fruit with its large, hairy leaves; highly ornamental when the bright orange-colored fruit is ripening. Trees grafted on D. lotus or the native American D. virginiana are available. Fuyu bears fruit that is non-astringent even before fully ripe. Fruit of Hachiya and Tone Nashi is astringent until fully ripe, but then delectable. In dry climates, fruit may be sun-dried to make a fine-flavored product.