Vasconcellea x heilbornii
(V.M.Badillo) V.M.Badillo
Caricaceae
Carica chrysopetala Heilborn
Carica pentagona Heilborn
Carica x heilbornii V.M.Badillo
Common Name: Babaco
General Information
Babaco is a small, short-lived, evergreen tree usually growing to about 2 metres tall with few or no side branches[
196- Title
- Lost Crops of the Incas
- Publication
-
- Author
- Popenoe. H. et al
- Publisher
- National Academy Press
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-309-04264-X
- Description
- An excellent book. Very readable, with lots of information and good pictures of some lesser known food plants of S. America.
].
The fruit is highly appreciated and is often sold in local markets. The plant is often cultivated for its fruit, its cultivation having spread from S. America to subtropical areas around the world[
301- Title
- Cornucopia II
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications, California.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-2-5
- Description
- The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
,
670- Title
- Study of the Cultivation Potential of Native Fruit Species in Loja Province, Ecuador
- Publication
-
- Author
- Scheldeman X.
- Website
- http://www.tropicallab.ugent.be/start.htm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A partial study, published on the Internet, of the family Caricaceae, with some very good photographs. Also, some notes on the Cherimoya.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
Range
S. America - Andes.
Habitat
Not known
Properties
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Tree |
| Height | 2.00 m |
| Pollinators | Self |
| Self-fertile | Yes |
| Cultivation Status | Cultivated |
Cultivation Details
A plant of the highland tropics, where it is usually found at elevations of 1,400 - 2,50 metres[
196- Title
- Lost Crops of the Incas
- Publication
-
- Author
- Popenoe. H. et al
- Publisher
- National Academy Press
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-309-04264-X
- Description
- An excellent book. Very readable, with lots of information and good pictures of some lesser known food plants of S. America.
]. It can also be grown at lower elevations in subtropical and warm, essentially frost-free temperate areas.
Yields of over 100 tonnes per hectare are possible[
196- Title
- Lost Crops of the Incas
- Publication
-
- Author
- Popenoe. H. et al
- Publisher
- National Academy Press
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-309-04264-X
- Description
- An excellent book. Very readable, with lots of information and good pictures of some lesser known food plants of S. America.
].
There are several named varieties[
301- Title
- Cornucopia II
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications, California.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-2-5
- Description
- The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
].
The plant coppices well[
196- Title
- Lost Crops of the Incas
- Publication
-
- Author
- Popenoe. H. et al
- Publisher
- National Academy Press
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-309-04264-X
- Description
- An excellent book. Very readable, with lots of information and good pictures of some lesser known food plants of S. America.
].
Although this species is dioecious (male and female flowers on separate plants), fruits are usually produced parthenocarpically, without the need of pollen for fertilisation[
301- Title
- Cornucopia II
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications, California.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-2-5
- Description
- The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
,
670- Title
- Study of the Cultivation Potential of Native Fruit Species in Loja Province, Ecuador
- Publication
-
- Author
- Scheldeman X.
- Website
- http://www.tropicallab.ugent.be/start.htm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A partial study, published on the Internet, of the family Caricaceae, with some very good photographs. Also, some notes on the Cherimoya.
]. A few viable seeds will often be produced, however, if the flower is pollinated[
670- Title
- Study of the Cultivation Potential of Native Fruit Species in Loja Province, Ecuador
- Publication
-
- Author
- Scheldeman X.
- Website
- http://www.tropicallab.ugent.be/start.htm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A partial study, published on the Internet, of the family Caricaceae, with some very good photographs. Also, some notes on the Cherimoya.
].
Edible Uses
Fruit - raw or cooked[
301- Title
- Cornucopia II
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications, California.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-2-5
- Description
- The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
]. Fragrant and flavourful[
196- Title
- Lost Crops of the Incas
- Publication
-
- Author
- Popenoe. H. et al
- Publisher
- National Academy Press
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-309-04264-X
- Description
- An excellent book. Very readable, with lots of information and good pictures of some lesser known food plants of S. America.
]. The flavour has been likened to the taste of strawberry, with a hint of pineapple[
196- Title
- Lost Crops of the Incas
- Publication
-
- Author
- Popenoe. H. et al
- Publisher
- National Academy Press
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-309-04264-X
- Description
- An excellent book. Very readable, with lots of information and good pictures of some lesser known food plants of S. America.
]. The fruit is usually seedless and can weigh 2 kilos[
196- Title
- Lost Crops of the Incas
- Publication
-
- Author
- Popenoe. H. et al
- Publisher
- National Academy Press
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-309-04264-X
- Description
- An excellent book. Very readable, with lots of information and good pictures of some lesser known food plants of S. America.
].
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed - unlikely to breed true since this is a hybrid species. Seeds are sometimes produced when the flowers are fertilized, these can be used to propagate the plant. Sow the seed in individual containers or in a nursery seedbed in light shade. Germination can be slow and difficult, taking about 30 days[
670- Title
- Study of the Cultivation Potential of Native Fruit Species in Loja Province, Ecuador
- Publication
-
- Author
- Scheldeman X.
- Website
- http://www.tropicallab.ugent.be/start.htm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A partial study, published on the Internet, of the family Caricaceae, with some very good photographs. Also, some notes on the Cherimoya.
]. Seedlings can be planted out when 4 - 6 months old[
670- Title
- Study of the Cultivation Potential of Native Fruit Species in Loja Province, Ecuador
- Publication
-
- Author
- Scheldeman X.
- Website
- http://www.tropicallab.ugent.be/start.htm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A partial study, published on the Internet, of the family Caricaceae, with some very good photographs. Also, some notes on the Cherimoya.
].
Cuttings work fairly well and maintain female lines that do not need pollination in order to produce fruit..
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
