Common Name: Siglalon

General Information

Siglalon is a spiny, erect, evergreen tree, producing few side branches, usually from near the base. It can grow up to 8 metres tall[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its edible fruits, which are eaten locally. A rich source of papain (which has a range of uses, including as a digestive enzyme), it has the potential for commercial exploitation.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Peru, Ecuador.

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	6.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A tree of moderate elevations in the tropics, where it can be found from 1,600 - 2,500 metres[]. It could also, potentially, be grown in warm temperate and subtropical areas.

A vigorous tree growing up to 2 - 3 metres tall in its first year and usually producing fruit in its second year of growth from seed[].
Plants can be productive for 20 years or more[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. Most plants produce fruit that is only suitable for cooking, but occasional plants have fruits that are delicious raw[]. The cream to yellow pulp is used to prepare preserves, candies, juices etc[, ]. This species is said to produce the best jams and sauces of the genus[]. The flavour is sour, aromatic, pleasant[]. The fruit is very rich in papain[]. The fruit probably has a higher content of papain than any other member of the genus - the raw juice, even of fully ripe fruits, tends to irritate the skin, especially the corners of the mouth[]. The ovoid-oblong to oblong, yellowish green to orange fruit is, 6 - 15cm long and 3 - 8cm in diameter[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow in individual containers or in a nursery seedbed in light shade. Germination can be slow and difficult, taking about 30 days[]. Seedlings can be planted out when 4 - 6 months old[].

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