THE LOQUAT AND ITS RELATIVES 271 



to bud or graft superior varieties. Both in Mexico and in 

 Guatemala the European pear is sometimes top- worked on the 

 manzanilla by cleft-grafting. 



THE ICACO 



(Chrysobalanus Icaco, L.) 



Although not a fruit of great value, the icaco is extensively 

 used in the tropics, especially by the poorer classes. It is 

 abundant along the seacoasts of tropical America as a wild 

 plant, and is frequently planted in gardens. In southern 

 Florida, where it is known as coco-plum, it is not considered 

 valuable. In Cuba, where the Spanish name icaco (often spelled 

 hicaco and jicaco) is current, the wild fruit is gathered and made 

 into a sweet preserve, which is served in Habana restaurants as 

 a sobremesa or dessert. In Brazil, where it is called uajuru, its 

 use is limited. It is said to occur in Africa as well as in America. 



The icaco is a large shrub or small tree, attaining a maximum 

 height of 25 or 30 feet. When grown as a shrub it is rather 

 ornamental and it is sometimes planted for this reason. The 

 leaves are obovate or obcordate in outline, about 2 inches long, 

 thick, glossy, and deep green in color. The flowers are small 

 and white, in axillary racemes or cymes. The fruit resembles a 

 large plum in appearance, being oval, 1^ inches long, and pinkish 

 white, magenta-red, or almost black in color. The skin is thin, 

 and the white flesh, which is cottony and of insipid taste, 

 adheres closely to the large oblong seed. 



Jacques Huber says that the icaco grows wild in the Amazon 

 region on dry sandy soils. In other parts of tropical America 

 it is often found on moist rich ground. It is propagated only 

 by seed. While there is hope of improving the quality of the 

 fruit through selection, it is doubtful, in view of the abundance 

 of more promising subjects, whether the species would repay 

 attention. The plant is easily grown and withstands light frosts. 



