FRUITS AND NUTS 135 



The spiny fruit rind when broken open exposes a five-segment 

 fruit with a pulp of civet odor surrounding the seed. Superior 

 varieties are propagated by layering. The durian thrives only 

 in a hot, moist climate and the seed remain viable only a few 

 days after removal from the fruit. The durian fruit weighs 

 from 5 to lo pounds. It is a conspicuous example among many 

 which could be named of tropical fruits about which violently 

 opposed opinions exist as to their flavor. 



CERIMAN 



The ceriman {Monstera deliciosa) is a large epiphytic 

 creeper, native to Mexico, with large leaves i8 to 36 inches 

 long on long petioles and with numerous elliptical perfora- 

 tions. The flower is large, white, and calla-like and the fruit 

 appears as a conical spadix 5 to 8 inches long and 2 inches in 

 diameter. It is covered with hexagonal scales which are easily 

 removed when the fruit is ripe. In fact, the looseness of the 

 scales is about the only external evidence of the ripeness of the 

 fruit. After attaining nearly full size, the fruit may require 5 

 or 6 months in ripening. The flavor of the ceriman is not 

 easily described. It is somewhat like that of a mixture of 

 honey, pineapples, and bananas, and to most persons is rather 

 sickish sweet. The plant is propagated by cuttings. It may 

 be grown in Florida in half shade like pineapples, and in 

 Florida the fruit ripens in 14 to 18 months after flowering. 

 The ceriman fruit contains i per cent, protein and 16 per cent, 

 sugar. 



JUJUBE 



The jujube (Zizyphus jujuba) is a slow-growing, medium- 

 sized, thorny tree, native of New Zealand and Federated Ma- 

 lay States. It attains a height of 30 to 50 feet and bears ovate 

 leaves which are tawny beneath and small flowers in axillary 

 cymes. The white, yellow, or red fruit is i to 2 inches long 



