Chayote – Sechium edule

Chayote is an herbaceous edible plant in the Cucurbit family, related to cucumbers and gourds. It is native to Mexico but has been introduced worldwide as a commercial crop. Brazil, Costa Rica, Veracruz and Abkhazia are main growing centers. Other names for the plant are Madeira mallow and Vegetable pear. The fruit, stems and young leaves are used in a variety of cuisines.
Sechium edule is a sprawling vine but may be trained to a climbing plant. In tropical regions it can grow up to nearly 40 feet in length. It has slim stems and thick roots with heart shaped leaves on long petioles and twining tendrils. Flowers are both male and female. Male flowers are borne in clusters and female blooms are solitary. Petals are greenish to greenish white. The fruit is a pear shaped orb, solitary or occasionally in pairs. Some forms of the fruit have spiny exteriors but most are smooth. Skin color is light green and the fruit has ridged sides vertically. Skin is thin and the flesh is white to creamy green with a large flat pit. The pit is edible. The flesh is almost tasteless but lends itself well to spices and deep flavors. The cooked texture is similar to a potato but the fruit can also be eaten raw as a crunch addition to salads and other dishes.

Descriptions

• Seedlings - No information.
• Stems - No information.
• Leaves - No information.
• Flowers - No information.
• Fruits - No information.
• Seeds - No information.
• Roots - No information.

Plant Details

• Type - Annual, Perennial
• USDA Zones - No information.
• Flower Colors - No information.
• Plant Height - No information.
• Plant Width - No information.
• Bloomtime Period - No information.
• Native Habitat - No information.
• Toxicity and allergic reactions - No information.
• What Parts Toxic - No information.
• Toxic to humans - No information.
• Toxic to cats - No information.
• Toxic to dogs - No information.
• Edible - No information.
• Edible Parts - No information.
• Spacing - No information.
• Planting Depth - No information.
• Invasive - No information.
• Special Features - No information.

Growing Information

• Light Requirement - No information.
• Soil Requirements - No information.
• Care Information - No information.
• Propagation Methods - No information.
• Harvest Information - No information.
• Seed Collection Information - No information.
• Pruning - No information.
• Common Pests - No information.
• Common Diseases - No information.
• Landscape Uses - No information.

Facts & Trivia