Crateva tapia aka Garlic Pear

Crateva tapia is an evergreen tree in the Capparaceae family. Its common names include tapia and garlic pear. Its native range stretches from Mexico through tropical America. This includes Central America, the Caribbean, and much of South America. It grows in both dry and wet forests. It also occurs in grasslands, thickets, swamps, and flooded sites. Most records come from low ground near sea level.

The tree has a dense, rounded crown with thick foliage. One reference lists its height as 39 feet (12 metres). Broader accounts give 16–59 feet (5–18 metres), without separating garden and wild trees. The trunk often bends rather than growing straight. Its roughly round trunk reaches 0.7–1.3 feet (0.2–0.4 metres) across. All parts of the tree have a garlic scent. Growers sometimes plant it as an ornamental tree. Bees visit its flowers and serve as pollinators.

The round fruit changes from green to yellow as it ripens. Each fruit measures about 0.13–0.30 feet (0.04–0.09 metres) across. The ripe pulp is juicy, sweet, and gritty. People eat it raw and sometimes gather fruit from wild trees. Its garlic scent limits its appeal as a food. Fallen fruit develops a foul smell as it breaks down. This smell has led some people to regard it as inedible. That belief differs from accounts that describe the ripe pulp as edible.

This lowland tropical tree grows best in a sunny spot. Wild trees often grow in heavy clay soil. The species also tolerates some salt in the soil. Its habitats range from dry sites to flooded ground. That range does not establish a precise garden watering schedule. For seed propagation, sow fresh, ripe seed in a sunny nursery bed. Seeds can sprout within two to three weeks. Reported germination is often below half of the seed sown.

The wood serves for posts, boxes, canoes, and minor building work. It is easy to work but brittle and lacks durability. It also supplies pulp for paper. Its ash provides potash. Traditional medicine uses the bark, leaves, and fruit. These uses do not establish safety or proven health benefits. Root juice can blister skin on contact. This hazard is distinct from the reported use of ripe fruit as food.