Monstera deliciosa- A new fruit. I bought this fruit in Kodaikanal. I have never seen it earlier. It is sold for Rs.100 per fruit to the locals and Rs. 125 per fruit to tourists. I am told that about 5 years ago there were no takers for this fruit that grows on the hills. Now, it is being sold as a “medicinal fruit”, though I have no knowledge or proof of its medicinal values. I saw a young plant in the garden of the Kodi Club and a sapling being propagated at my friend Tiku Mahadevan’s home. The pictures here of the fruit on white tiled floor are taken at my home. The other pics are from Wikipedia. The rest of this info is courtesy Wikipedia. It is called Monstera deliciosa, the Fruit Salad Plant, and is a species of flowering plant native to tropical rain forests of southern Mexico, south to Colombia. It has been introduced to many tropical areas, and has become a mildly invasive species in Hawaii, Seychelles, Ascension Island and the Society Islands. The specific epithet deliciosa means delicious, referring to the edible fruit. Common names include Fruit Salad Tree (in reference to its edible leaves and fruits), ceriman, Swiss cheese plant (or just cheese plant), fruit salad plant, monster fruit, monsterio delicio, monstereo, Mexican breadfruit, locust and wild honey, windowleaf, balazo, and Penglai banana. This member of the arum family Araceae is an epiphyte with aerial roots, able to grow up to 20 m (65 feet) high with large, leathery, glossy, heart-shaped leaves 25–90 cm (9 to 35 inches) long by 25–75 cm broad. Young plants have leaves that are smaller and entire with no lobes or holes, but soon produce lobed and fenestrate leaves. Wild seedlings grow towards the darkest area they can find until they find a tree trunk, and then start to grow up towards the light, creeping up the tree. Monstera deliciosa is commonly grown for interior decoration in public buildings and as a houseplant. It grows best between the temperatures of 20–30 °C (68–86 °F) and requires high humidity and shade. Growth ceases below 10 °C (50 °F) and it is killed by frost. In the coastal zones of Sicily, especially in the Palermo area, where it is called zampa di leone (lions paw), it is often cultivated outdoors. In ideal conditions it flowers about three years after it is planted. Flowering is rare when grown indoors. The plant can be propagated by taking cuttings of a mature plant or by air layering. Monstera deliciosa and the cultivar Variegata have gained the Royal Horticultural Societys Award of Garden Merit. The fruit of Monstera deliciosa is up to 25 cm long and 3–4 cm diameter, looking like a green ear of maize covered with hexagonal scales. Fruits of plants of the Araceae (Arum family) often contain Raphides and Trichosclereids – needle-like structures of calcium oxalate. The fruit may be ripened by cutting it when the first scales begin to lift up and it begins to exude a pungent odor. It is wrapped in a paper bag and set aside until the scales begin popping off. The scales are then brushed off or fall away to reveal the edible flesh underneath. The flesh, which is similar to pineapple in texture, can be cut away from the core and eaten. It has a fruity taste similar to jackfruit and pineapple. The unripe green fruits can irritate the throat and the latex of the leaves and vines can create rashes in the skin, because both contain potassium oxalate: that is the reason why the fruits have to be consumed when the scales lift up. Plants grown indoors in temperate regions occasionally produce flowers and fruit. The aerial roots have been used as ropes in Peru, and to make baskets in Mexico. In Mexico, a leaf or root infusion is drunk daily to relieve arthritis. In Martinique the root is used to make a remedy for snakebite. In Colombia it is used as a decorative plant. In Chennai, I am waiting for it to ripen fully.
Posted on: Sun, 18 May 2014 05:58:57 +0000
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