ABSTRACT
The chayote is a perennial-rooted (above-ground parts are annual), subtropical to tropical vine, climbing by tendrils, with slender, branching stems up to 15 m (49 ft.) long, and cucumber-like leaves. A vigorous vine can produce several dozen fruit. The fruit is reminiscent of summer squash in appearance and use. It is dark green, pale green, yellowish white, or white; smooth or prickly; wrinkled with several deep longitudinal ribs; varying in length from 7.6 to 20 cm (3-8 in.) and in weight from about 100 g (4 oz.) up to 1.4 kg (3 lb.). The §esh is rm and white or whitish. There is a single, soft, §at seed, 2.5 to 5 cm (1-2 in.) long, which is edible after cooking. Although there is great variation of the fruit in native markets, the commercially grown fruit is quite uniform, generally pear-shaped, light green, smooth, often with deep folds in the skin, about 15 cm (6 in.) long and 450 g (1 pound) in weight, with a pleasing texture and sweet §avor.
