Author: | Olof Peter
Swartz, 1800 |
Family: |
CUCURBITACEAE |
Origin: |
Belize,
Mexico |
Soil: |
Mix |
Water:
|
Maximum |
Sun: |
Medium -
Maximum |
Thickness: |
6 Centimetres |
Height: |
12 Metres |
Flower:
|
Crème - Pale Yellow |
Propagate: |
Seeds |
Names:
|
Aguate, Chayotillo, Chayotillo
Espinoso, Chuchu, Sayote, Tayota, Choko, Chocho, Chow-Chow,
Christophene, Mirliton, Vegetable Pear, Starprecianté,
Citrayota, Citrayote, Pear Squash, Labu Siam, Chuchu,
Christofine |
Synonyms: |
Sicyos
laciniatus Linné, 1753.
Cucumis acutangulus Linné,
1753.
Sicyos edulis Jacq. 1760.
Sicyos edulis Jacq. 1760.
Chayota edulis Jacq.
1780.
Sechium americanum Poir. 1806.
Cucumis
acutangulus Descourt. 1827.
Sicyos laciniatus
Descourt. 1827.
Sechium chayota Hemsl. 1880.
|
This member of the Cucurbitaceae family was
given this name by Olof Peter Swartz in 1800. It is found in Belize
and Mexico, growing in a rich and drained soil with lots of water and
some to full sun. The tuberous roots can grow to six
centimetres in diameter, the vines grow to twelve metres or more.
The flowers are crème to pale yellow.
The lemon size fruit
only contain one seed, and it should be sown with the entire fruit!
It might actually start growing within the fresh fruit.
The genera name
means pen, perhaps for the fact that it was fed to hogs. This
species name indicates it
can be eaten - which it is. |