Cultural requirements: Hot, humid tropical lowlands. Not tolerant of frost. Description: Tree to 12 m. Propagation by seed. Fruit spherical, 2.5 cm in diameter, in clusters, exterior color purple. Utilization: Pulp eaten fresh, in beverages. Flavor sweet. Limited potential as food crop. Reference: Cavalcante 1974. Treculia africana Deane Common names: African breadfruit (English); arbre de pain (French). Origin: Tropical west Africa. Distribution: Tropical west Africa. Cultural requirements: Hot tropical climate, forest areas. Description: Tree to 26 m, propagation by seed. Tree monoecious. Fruit 45 cm in diameter, to 12 kg; external color yellowish brown, seeds brown. Utilization: Seeds boiled, roasted, consumed whole; ground into meal; used in sauces, flavorings; source of oil. Flavor similar to peanuts. Rich in oil. Food source in local areas. Little potential for expansion. References: Dalziel 1948, Irvine 1961. Musaceae Musa acuminata Colla and hybrids of M. acuminate and M. balbisiana Colla Common names: banana, plantain (English); banano, platano, guineo (Spanish); banane, bananier (French). Origin: Southeast Asia. Distribution: Pantropic; warm subtropics. Cultural requirements: Hot, wet tropical climate. Fertile well-drained soil. Description: Perennial herb to 8 m. Propagation of edible types by division. Fruit production about 12 months after planting. Flowers at any time of year depending on planting time, nutrition, and matu-rity. Fruit forms parthenocarpically. Fruit matures in 90-120 days. Fruit 6-35 cm long, 2.5-10 cm in diameter, 10 to 150 or more per cluster, external color greenish, yellow, orange, or red; internal color white, yellow, or orange. Utilization: Pulp eaten fresh, cooked in many ways. Flavor sweet to starchy; great appeal. Good source of carbohydrates; some types have mod-erate amounts of vitamin A and C. Important food source throughout the world. Scores of varieties exist. Extensive research in culture in various places where commercial production exists. References: Leon 1968, Ochse et al. 1961, Simmons 1959.

Musa troglodytarum L. Common name: fei banana (English). Origin: South Pacific islands, Tahiti, New Caledonia. Distribution: South Pacific islands. Cultural requirements: Hot, wet tropical lowlands. Description: Perennial herb. Propagation by division. Fruit 10-20 cm long, 5-30 per cluster; external color yellow, orange, or brown; internal color white or yellow. Utilization: Pulp cooked. Flavor starchy; moderate appeal. Source of food in local areas. Little poten-tial for expansion. Reference: Simmons 1959. Myristicaceae Myristica fragrans (L.) Houtt. Common names: nutmeg, mace (English); nuez moscada (Spanish); muscade (French); noz moscada (Portuguese). Origin: Moluccas. Distribution: Pantropic; economically important only in limited areas. Cultural requirements: Hot, wet tropical lowlands with well distributed rainfall. Light well drained soil with high organic content. Not tolerant of frost. Description: Tree to 18 m. Propagation by seed, grafting. Fruit production in 8-10 years from seed, 4-5 years from grafts. Flowers throughout the year. Dioecious. Fruit spherical to ovoid, 3-9 cm in diameter, solitary; external color yellow, seed brown, aril red. Utilization: Fruit pulp cooked. Seed (nutmeg) and aril (mace) dried as spices. Flavor of fruit pulp good when sweetened and stewed. Used as food crop only in limited areas. Nutmeg and mace are important spices, but conditions for successful production are exacting. References: Ochse et al. 1961, Rosengarten 1969. Myrtaceae Britoa acida Barg Common names: para guava (English); goyavier de Para (French); araca do Para (Portuguese). Origin: Brazil. Distribution: Brazil. Cultural requirements: Hot, dry tropical climate; light soils. Description: Shrub or tree to 8 m. Propagation by seed. Fruit spherical to ovoid, 5-7 cm long; exter-nal color yellow, internal whitish.

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