Vasconcellea stipulata

Botanical Description

Siglalon is a spiny, erect, evergreen tree, producing few side branches, usually from near the base. It can grow up to 8 metres tall[ 196 Title Lost Crops of the Incas Publication Author Popenoe. H. et al Publisher National Academy Press Year 1990 ISBN 0-309-04264-X Description An excellent book. Very readable, with lots of information and good pictures of some lesser known food plants of S. America. ]. The tree is harvested from the wild for its edible fruits, which are eaten locally. A rich source of papain (which has a range of uses, including as a digestive enzyme), it has the potential for commercial exploitation.