S3. Chayote 

 Sechium edule 



The chayote, as it is called in English and Spanish, is a 

 remarkable plant because all parts of it can be eaten. The 

 flowers and young branches are prepared as greens, like spinach. 

 The smooth or spiny fruits, when young and tender, are cooked 

 in various ways and eaten, together with the single large seed. 

 The tuberous roots, resembling large sweet potatoes, are pre- 

 pared and eaten like potatoes. Chayote is planted commonly 

 in tropical America and is especially abundant in Central 

 America at low and middle altitudes. It is not found growing 

 wild. It is called huisquil or giiisquil in northern Central 

 America; chocho in Jamaica; and the roots are known in Central 

 America as chinta, chintla, or rdiz. 



