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TROPIC AND SEMI-TROPIC FRUITS FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
By DR. F. FRANCESCHI
What cannot we grow? was for a long time the enthusiastic theme of all lovers of plants who had the fortune to live in this privileged country of Southern California. And the wonderful result was attained of amassing here, in a comparatively short time, a great number of plants from all quarters of the globe. By degrees, experience was gained, failures were met, and every day we are acquiring knowledge which we did not possess ten years ago.
Speaking of tropic and semi-tropic fruits only, we are well aware now that, while almost every fruit bearing plant, which is part of the world's flora, can be raised and grown in Southern California, quite a considerable number of them cannot be expected to bear plentifully and to ripen their fruits, principally for the reason of insufficient heat during the summer months, and more particularly so along our coast belt, where other conditions are eminently favorable for the development of tropical and semi-tropical plants.
Consequently, in the enumeration which I shall confine myself to mention only such fruits as have undoubtedly acquired the citizenship of Southern California, together with others of more recent introduction concerning which we cannot entertain any reasonable doubts.
An intense fascination there is in raising and in watching the growth of any new fruit, and such interest is intensified by the anticipation of its ripening and the ripening of a new fruit, and there is also a feeling of satisfaction in connection with our own experience towards the fruits of our few fellow citizens and towards the results of the productivity of California old and new settlers in Southern California, which, if it possesses thousands of acres, or only a modest few, plant some fruit trees and you shall pay tenfold for your care, while the value of your property, small or extensive, as they may be, will be considerably increased.
ABERIA CAFFRA, "Kaff apple" of the South African Colonists, is a thorny, tall-growing shrub, making impenetrable hedges; fruits size of a small apple, bright yellow and very sweet. Does well also in Northern California.
ANONA CHERIMOLIA, "cherimoya," whose wrongly called "custard apple," which names belong to the West Indian A. RETICULATA, mentioned success in California. A small, evergreen tree, broad, broad, aromatic leaves, and greenish flowers, not attractive, but exhaling most delicious alpines fragrance, mostly during the night. It will be seen to flower about August, but coming out again at once. Fruits size and shape of an apple, yellowish, containing a very sweet pulp, which in Mexico is said to make one go to sleep if paralysed (too fresh).
CITRUS FRUITS. A comprehensive name, originated, I believe, in California, and including Oranges, Lemons, Mandarin Citrons, Limes and Pummelos, of which all are different varieties and grown. A selection of the best adapted to each locality ought to be planted even on very ill-irrigated grounds; one or two Lemon trees will supply the needs of any family, and which can be more pleasantly and more ornamental than a few Orange and Mandarin trees about the home grounds? With proper care they will come into bearing only two years after planting.
BYTROSOMA CHRISSOPILA. A very popular fruit in Mexico, where it is very popular and grows under the name of "manche." It is a small evergreen tree, with thick leaves, yellow flowers, and large bunches of red-brown berries of very good taste.
CARISSA GRANDIFLORA, from Natal, South Africa, flowering not over 6 feet; very bushy and covered with thick, dark green leaves and curious double-pointed thorns, quite suitable for hedges. Flowers look like large, pure white Jasmine, and have the same scent; fruits oval shaped, size of an ordinary plum, dark crimson in color, and full of a crimson pulp which makes a first-class jelly. Other species of Eugenia from the same region are also introduced; among them E. EDULIS having fruits of the size of an Apricot, and said to be of delicious taste. All of them are also very ornamental shrubs, and ought to be seen in every garden.
CASIMIROA EDULIS, "zapote blanco" of the Mexican, the first semi-tropic fruit ever introduced in California, there being one large tree in Santa Barbara, coeval with the Old Mission, and more than 100 years old. This grows to quite a large tree, very much spindling up in the young stage, dome-shaped, enormous tree. Leaves trifoliate, shining, generally dropping about August, but coming out again at once. Fruits size and shape of an apple, yellowish, containing a very sweet pulp, which in Mexico is said to make one go to sleep if paralysed (too fresh).
CYPHOMANDRA BETACEA, "tree tomato," from Peru, Introduced many years ago, but not grown as much as it could really deserve. A very fine grower, and ripens in short time the size of a small tree, and can easily be trained with a symmetrical, round head. Its foliage is rich, shining, copper colored when young. Flowers will appear within one year from seed, they are in large, drooping bunches, rosy white in color, and exhale the most exquisite rose scent, chiefly to-night. The fruits, which are freely produced, hang down on very long pedicels, of oval shape, pointed at both ends, bright orange colored when ripe. They will hang from the plant for weeks, and are quite ornamental. Try to stew them with sugar, and you are sure to like them.
LUCUMA SALICIFOLIA, "zapote bochoco," from the warm regions of Mexico. It is easily recognized, has become generally known, and highly prized. This is a free growing tree, with glossy, wavy like leaves, and large, oval-shaped, one seeded fruits. Their taste is usually very fine, and by many they are considered as the best fruit in Mexico. If partaken of in large quantity they are said to produce symptoms of a mild intestinal fever, and hence its native name "borracho."
MANGIFERA INDICA, the "mango," originally from India, now extensively planted in the warm regions of the globe. Everybody knows something of it, but it is not generally known that the warmest sections of Southern California is likely to bear first class fruits, although the tree will never attain the immense size and real beauty in tropical countries. For the sake of its foliage alone, richly colored with red in the young stage, it is well worth growing; it begins to bloom quite young, and keeps blooming all the time. Numberless varieties of Mango are grown in India and elsewhere, and now that more attention is bestowed upon this fruit, it is very likely that a particular variety will be found specially suited to Southern California.
MUSA PARADISIACA. For scenic effect nothing surpasses a clump of the tall growing, ordinary banana, and more specially so, if one can dispose of some corner sheltered from winds, and give it extra rich soil, plenty of water. In such conditions one can also expect to obtain fairly good fruits. Still better results may be obtained with the dwarf "banana," MUSA CAVENDISHII, which is more easily protected from the wind, but is, however, somewhat more tender than the first named.
PASSIFLORA EDULIS, "edible passion flower," "passion flower" of the Spanish Americans, is a vigorous growing vine, with deep green foliage generally immune from the caterpillar, light yellow flowers, less showy looking than the fruits. The plum-like, dark purple fruits under their leathery skin are full of a juicy pulp, of very pleasant taste, capable of making a most delicious jelly. The more tropical PASSIFLORA LAURIFOLIA and P. QUADRANGULARIS have richer foliage and gorgeous flowers, powerfully scented, but it is only occasionally that they happen to ripen any fruit with them.
PERSEA GRATISSIMA, called "ahucate" by the Mexicans, and "palta" in Peru and other parts of South America, where it appears to be in high favor. In the French colonies, "avocado pear" and, by corruption, "alligator pear" in the British; also "mishipman's butter," has become a great favorite in all tropical countries, and does remarkably well in Southern California. In very few years it will make one of the most shapely and noble looking trees that can be imagined. Its broad, pointed foliage is not attacked by scale or other insect pests; its flowers, appearing mostly during the winter, are greenish, and similar to those of our native California "laurel"; the fruits vary in size from that of a plum to a decidedly pear shaped, and in color from bright green to deep purple; they also vary considerably in size; but the greatest range of variation is in the time that the budding trees will take to come into bearing. Personally I know of trees having yielded a good crop of fruits when only three years old from budding, while others, which did not even bloom until about twenty years old. Fortunately, more attention is bestowed now to the culture of this valuable tree, and grafted plants have now been introduced into trade. There is, it is known, the more popular it is sure to become. The firm, whitish, or greenish pulp of the fruit is in shape and probably texture, with the pepper and lemon, making, as it does the most exquisite "mayonnaise" very nourishing, and at the same time never known to affect the most delicate stomachs.
PASSIFLORA CATTLEYANUM, ordinary strawberry passion fruit, known to everybody in California, once supposed to be a native of China, because from there introduced to England, but afterwards recognized to hail from South or Central America, like all other kinds of guavas, is now planted in Southern California probably more than in any other country. It grows so freely. It is not affected by any diseases. It has been so profusely, that it is no wonder that it is found everywhere, in extensive ranches and in individual lots. Everybody likes the fruit, and more so the Jelly which is made of it in immense quantities. The "yellow strawberrry" guava, PSIDIUM LUCIDUM, introduced by the writer some years ago, looks very much like the first-named, but its fruits are yellow and generally of finer flavor. PSIDIUM GUAJAVA, very like the first kind, but introduced to California is very delicate, and though its fruits not being much liked, and possibly also for the reason that it happens to be severely attacked by "black scale," from which the above-named kinds are completely immune.
Tropic and Semi-Tropic Fruits for Southern California
By DR. F. FRANCESCHI
(In Conclusion)
