Accession Count: 1
Common Name:
plum-tree, ciruelo
Family Name:
Anacardiaceae
Botanical Name:
Cyrtocarpa edulis
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Cyrtocarpa edulis is a small, open-branched tree that can reach a maximum height of 30 feet, but rarely approaches this height (1). It exhibits light grey bark and a main stem that can reach 12 inches in diameter (1). Its leaves are pinnately compound, up to 4 inches in length, with 7-11 oval or elliptic leaflets, each measuring about 1 inch in length (1). In late spring, pale green or white flowers appear in axillary panicles, followed by small, yellow or red ovoid drupes (1,2,3).
Compound:
Cyr edu
Geographic Origin:
Mexico
Ecozone Origin:
Nearctic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
Cyrtocarpa edulis is endemic to the southern part of the Baja California peninsula and neighboring islands (2,3). The species is commonly found on sandy plains and slopes, often in arid, tropical forests (1,2,3). Like several other plants native to the same region, it often develops a swollen trunk that serves as water storage (2).
Cultivation Notes:
While not commonly found in cultivation, Cyrtocarpa edulis can be grown as an accent plant in frost-free desert gardens. Its fruit and swollen trunk make it ideal for collectors of unusual plants. It prefers sandy soils and requires little care once established. As its native environment suggests, however, C. edulis cannot tolerate frost (2). The species relies primarily on summer and early autumn rains for moisture (2). Additionally, it is drought deciduous and will drop its leaves without summer water, even if moisture is stored in the trunk (2).
Ethnobotany:
In addition to its use as a landscape plant, Cyrtocarpa edulis is valued for its tasty fruit, which can be either sweet or bitter (2,3). At the same time, the plant contains antioxidant compounds, which have been studied to determine if they can be used to improve germination and growth of other cultivated crop species such as tomatoes and peppers (4).
Height:
20 - 50 feet
Width:
20 - 50 feet
Growth Rate:
Moderate Growing
Grow Season:
Summer
Flower Season:
ForeSummer
Color:
White
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Tender
Water Use:
Moderate Water Use
Citations:
1. Shreve, F., and Wiggins, I.L. Vegetation and Flora of the Sonoran Desert, Stanford University Press, 1964.
2. Turner, R.M., et al., Sonoran Desert Plants: An Ecological Atlas, University of Arizona Press, Tucson, 2005.
3. Rebman, J.P and Roberts, N.C. Baja California Plant Field Guide, 3rd ed., San Diego Natural History Museum, 2012.
