Temperate fruits
Fruits of temperate climates are almost universally borne on trees or woody shrubs or lianas. They will not grow adequately in the tropics, as they need a period of cold (a chilling requirement) each year before they will flower. The apple, pear, cherry, and plum are the most widely grown and eaten, owing to their adaptability. Many other fruits are important regionally but do not figure prominently in commerce. Many sorts of small fruit on this list are gathered from the wild, just as they were in Neolithic times.
[edit] Rosaceae family
The Family Rosaceae dominates the temperate fruits, both in numbers and in importance. The pome fruits, stone fruits and brambles are fruits of plants in Rosaceae.
The pome fruits:
ApplesApple and crabapple (Malus)
Chokeberry also called cooking apple (Aronia)
Hawthorn (Crataegus and Rhaphiolepis)
Serviceberry or saskatoon (Amelanchier)
Loquat (Eryobotrya japonica)
Medlar (Mespilus germanica)
Pear, European and Asian species (Pyrus)
Quince (Cydonia oblonga and Chaenomeles)
Rowan (Sorbus)
Service tree (Sorbus domestica), bears a fruit known as a sorb or sorb apple
Rose-hip, the fruitlike base of roses (Rosa); used mostly for jams and herbal tea
Shipova (× Sorbopyrus auricularis)
The stone fruits, drupes of genus Prunus:
Apricot (Prunus armeniaca or Armeniaca vulgaris)
Cherry, sweet, sour, and wild species (Prunus avium, P. cerasus, and others)
Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana)
Plum, of which there are several domestic and wild species; dried plums are called prunes
Peach (of the normal and white variety) and its variant the nectarine (Prunus persica)
Hybrids of the preceding species, such as the pluot, aprium and peacotum
Greengage, a cultivar of the plum
[edit] Berries
In non-technical usage, berry means any small fruit that can be eaten whole and lacks objectionable seeds. The bramble fruits, compound fruits of genus Rubus (blackberries), are some of the most popular pseudo-berries:
RaspberriesBlackberry, of which there are many species and hybrids, such as dewberry, boysenberry, olallieberry and loganberry (genus Rubus)
Raspberry, several species (genus Rubus)
Cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus)
Wineberry (Rubus phoenicolasius)
Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis)
Loganberry (Rubus loganobaccus)
Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus)
The true berries are dominated by the family Ericaceae, many of which are hardy in the subarctic:
Bearberry (Arctostaphylos spp.)
Bilberry or whortleberry (Vaccinium spp.)
Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.)
Crowberry (Empetrum spp.)
Cranberry (Vaccinium spp.)
Huckleberry (Vaccinium spp.)
Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea)
Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo), not to be confused with the Strawberry (Fragaria)
Other berries not in the Rosaceae or Ericaceae:
Açaí (Euterpe), a palm fruit native to the Amazon region
Barberry (Berberis; Berberidaceae)
Currant (Ribes spp.; Grossulariaceae), red, black, and white types
Elderberry (Sambucus; Caprifoliaceae)
Gooseberry (Ribes spp.; Grossulariaceae)
Hackberry (Celtis spp.; Cannabaceae)
Honeysuckle: the berries of some species (called honeyberries) are edible, others are poisonous (Lonicera spp.; Caprifoliaceae)
Mayapple (Podophyllum spp.; Berberidaceae)
Nannyberry or sheepberry (Viburnum spp.; Caprifoliaceae)
Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium; Berberidaceae)
Sea-buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides; Elaeagnaceae)
Sea Grape (Coccoloba uvifera; Polygonaceae)
Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum, Lycium spp.; Solanaceae)
Mulberry (Morus spp.; Moraceae)
[edit] Fruits of Asian origin
Some fruits native to Asia.
Arhat (Siraitia grosvenorii; Cucurbitaceae) Also called longevity fruit
Che (Cudrania tricuspidata; Moraceae) Also called Cudrania, Chinese Mulberry, Cudrang, Mandarin Melon Berry, Silkworm Thorn, zhe
Goumi (Elaeagnus multiflora ovata; Elaeagnaceae)
Hardy Kiwi (Actinidia arguta)
Kiwifruit or Chinese gooseberry (Actinidia spp.; Actinidiaceae)
Lapsi (Choerospondias axillaris Roxb.)
Persimmon (aka Sharon Fruit) (Diospyros kaki; Ebenaceae)
Sageretia (Sageretia theezans; Rhamnaceae) Also called Mock Buckthorn
[edit] Fruits of North American origin
Some other fruits native to North America that are eaten in a small way:
American grape: North American species (e.g., Vitis labrusca; Vitaceae) and American-European hybrids are grown where grape (Vitis vinifera) is not hardy and are used as rootstocks
American Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum; Berberidaceae)
American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana; Ebenaceae)
Buffaloberry (Shepherdia argenta; Elaeagnaceae), which grows wild in the prairies of Canada
Cocoplum (Chrysobalanus icaco; Chrysobalanaceae)
Cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccus)
False-mastic (Mastichodendron foetidissimum; Sapotaceae)
Ground Plum (Astragalus caryocarpus; Fabaceae), also called Ground-plum milk-vetch
Pawpaw (Asimina triloba; Annonaceae, not to be confused with Papaya (Carica papaya; Caricaceae), which is called pawpaw in some English dialects)
Pigeon plum (Coccoloba diversifolia; Polygonaceae)
Salal berry (Gaultheria shallon; Ericaceae)
Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis; Rosaceae)
Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens; Ericaceae)
Texas persimmon (Diospyros texana; Ebenaceae)
Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus; Rosaceae)
Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia; Rosaceae)
[edit] Cacti and other succulents
Several cacti yield edible fruits, which are important traditional foods for some Native American peoples:
Dragonfruit (Hylocereus undatus; Cactaceae), also called pitaya
Prickly pear (Opuntia spp.; Cactaceae)
Saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea; Cactaceae)
Cardón (Pachycereus pringlei; Cactaceae)
numerous other species of cacti
[edit] Podocarps
Podocarps are conifers in the family Podocarpaceae. The seed cones are highly modified and, in some, the seed is surrounded by fleshy scale tissue, resembling a drupe. These berry-like cone scales are eaten by birds which then disperse the seeds in their droppings and the cones can be eaten in many species. Podocarps are either half-hardy or frost tender, depending on species. Many genera are similar in that they have edible "fruits" and often don't have a common name.
Kahikatea (Dacrycarpus dacrydioides)
Manoao (Manoao colensoi)
Nageia (Nageia spp.)
Podocarpus (Podocarpus spp.)
Prumnopitys (Prumnopitys spp.)
Rimu (Dacrydium cupressinum)
[edit] Herbaceous annuals fruits
[edit] Melons and other members of Cucurbitaceae or Solanaceae family
Some exceptions to the statement that temperate fruits grow on woody perennials are:
WatermelonGourds, including, but not limited to:
Hubbard squash, Buttercup squash (Cucurbita maxima)
Cushaw squash (Cucurbita mixta)
Butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata)
Pumpkins, Acorn squash, Summer squash (Cucurbita pepo)
Horned melon (Cucumis metuliferus)
Melon (Cucumis melo): cantaloupe, galia, and other muskmelons, honeydew
Watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris)
[edit] Accessory fruits
The accessory fruits, seed organs which are not botanically berries at all::
Raisin tree (Hovenia dulcis, Rhamnaceae) Also called Japanese Raisin Tree
Strawberry (Fragaria spp.; Rosaceae)
[edit] Mediterranean and subtropical fruits
Fruits in this category are not hardy to extreme cold, as the preceding temperate fruits are, yet tolerate some frost and may have a modest chilling requirement. Notable among these are natives of the Mediterranean:
GrapesCornelian cherry (Cornus mas; Cornaceae)
Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera; Arecaceae)
Fig (Ficus spp. Moraceae)
Sycamore fig (Ficus sycomorus. Moraceae) also called old world sycomore or just sycomore.
Grape, called raisin, sultana, or currant when it is dried.
(Vitis spp.; Vitaceae)
Jujube (Ziziphus zizyphus; Rhamnaceae)
Black mulberry (Morus nigra; Moraceae)
Olive (Olea europea; Oleaceae)
Pomegranate (Punica granatum; Punicaceae)
In the important genus Citrus (Rutaceae), some members are tropical, tolerating no frost. All common species of commerce are somewhat hardy:
LemonPomelo (also known as the shaddock) (Citrus maxima)
Citron (Citrus medica)
Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi)
Lemon (Citrus limon)
Limes
Key Lime (Citrus aurantifolia)
Persian lime Also known as tahiti lime.
Kaffir lime (Citrus hystix)
Mandarin (Citrus reticulata),
Clementine (Citrus reticulata var. Clementine),
Tangerine, and similar
Orange, of which there are sweet (Citrus sinensis) and sour (Citrus aurantium) species
Hybrids of the preceding species, such as the Orangelo, Tangelo, Rangpur and Ugli fruit
See also: List of Citrus fruits
Other subtropical fruits:
Avocado (Persea americana; Lauraceae)
Carob (Ceratonia siliqua; Fabaceae)
Feijoa (Feijoa sellowiana; Myrtaceae)
Guava (Psidium guajava; Myrtaceae)
Kumquat (Fortunella spp.; Rutaceae)
Longan (Euphoria longan; Sapindaceae)
Lúcuma (Pouteria lucuma; Sapotaceae)
Lychee (Litchi chinensis; Sapindaceae)
Passion fruit or Grenadilla (Passiflora edulis and other Passiflora spp.; Passifloraceae) Galendar in some part of east India (Darjeeling)
Peanut (Arachis hypogaea; Fabaceae)
Pond-apple (Annona glabra; Annonaceae) Also called Alligator-apple and Monkey-apple
Strawberry guava (Psidium litorale; Myrtaceae)
Tamarillo or Tree Tomato (Cyphomandra betacea; Solanaceae)
Ugni (Ugni molinae; Myrtaceae)
Yangmei (Myrica rubra; Myricaceae) Also called Yamamomo, Chinese Bayberry, Japanese Bayberry, Red Bayberry, or Chinese strawberry tree
[edit] Tropical fruits
Tropical fruit grow on plants of all habitats. The only characteristic that they share is an intolerance of frost.
PapayasAcerola (Malpighia glabra; Malpighiaceae), also called West Indian Cherry or Barbados Cherry
Ackee (Blighia sapida or Cupania sapida; Sapindaceae)
African cherry orange (Citropsis schweinfurthii; Rutaceae)
Amazon Grape (Pourouma cecropiaefolia;Moraceae)
Araza
Avocado
Açaí (Euterpe oleracea; Arecaceae), or assai
Babaco (Carica pentagona; Caricaceae)
Bael (Aegle marmelos; Rutaceae)
Banana (Musacea spp.; Musaceae); its starchy variant is the plantain
Barbadine (granadilla; maracujá-açu in Portuguese)
Barbados Cherry (Malpighia glabra L.; Malpighiaceae), also called Acerola, West Indian Cherry
Betel Nut
Bilimbi (Averrhoa bilimbi; Oxalidaceae) Also called cucumber tree or tree sorrel
Biriba
Bitter gourd
Black sapote
Bottle gourd
Brazil nut
Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis; Moraceae)
Burmese grape (Baccaurea sapida; Cucurbitaceae)
Calabash (Lagenaria siceraria; Bignoniaceae)
Calabashtree
CamuCamu (Myrciaria dubia; Myrtaceae)
Canistel
Cape gooseberry
Carambola (Averrhoa carambola; Oxalidaceae), also called star fruit or five fingers
Cashew
Cempedak or Champedak (Artocarpus champeden; Moraceae)
Ceylon gooseberry
Chenet (guinep or ackee; pitomba-das-Guinas in Portuguese)
Cherimoya (Annona cherimola; Annonaceae)
Chili
Caimito (caimite; related to the yellow abiu - egg fruit)
Cacao
Coconut (Cocos spp.; Arecaceae)
Coffee
Cupuaçu
Custard apple (Annona reticulata; Annonaceae), also called Bullock's Heart
Damson plum (Chrysophyllum oliviforme; Sapotaceae), also called Satin Leaf
Date
Date-plum (Diospyros lotus; Ebenaceae)
Dragonfruit (Hylocereus spp.; Cactaceae), also called pitaya
Durian (Durio spp.; Bombacaceae)
Eggfruit (Pouteria campechiana; Sapotaceae), also called canistel or yellow sapote
Elephant apple (Dillenia indica; Dilleniaceae)
Giant granadilla
Golden Apple
Guarana (Paullinia cupana; Sapindaceae)
Guava
Guavaberry or Rumberry; (Myrciaria floribunda; Myrtaceae)
Hog plum (taperebá in Portuguese)
Horned melon (Cucumis metuliferus; Cucurbitaceae)
Huito (Genipa americana; Rubiaceae); also called jagua, genipap, jenipapo
Indian Prune (Flacourtia rukan; Flacourtiaceae)
Indian almond
Indian fig
Indian jujube
Jaboticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora; Myrtaceae), also called Brazilian Grape Tree
Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Moraceae), also called nangka
Jambul (Syzygium cumini; Myrtaceae)
Jatobá (Hymenae coubaril; Leguminosae) Caesalpinioideae)
Jocote, also called Jamaica Plum
Kandis (Garcinia forbesii; Clusiaceae)
Keppel fruit (Stelechocarpus burakol; Annonaceae)
Kumquat
Kundong (Garcinia sp.; Clusiaceae)
Lablab
Langsat (Lansium domesticum), also called longkong or duku
Lemon
Leucaena
Lime
Longan
Loquat
Lucuma
Lychee
Mabolo (Diospyros discolor; Ebenaceae) also known as a velvet persimmon
Macadamia
Mamey sapote (Pouteria sapota; Sapotaceae); also known as mamee apple; abricó in Portuguese
Mamoncillo (Melicoccus bijugatus; Sapindaceae), also known as quenepa, genip or Fijian Longan
Mandarin
Mango (Mangifera indica; Anacardiaceae)
Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana; Clusiaceae)
Marang (Artocarpus odoratissima; Moraceae), a breadfruit relative
Melinjo
Melon pear
Monstera (Monstera deliciosa; Araceae) also called Swiss Cheese Plant, Split-leaf Philodendron
Morinda
Mountain soursop
Mundu
Mung bean
Muskmelon
Nance
Naranjilla, Lulo (Solanum quitoense; Solanaceae)
Nutmeg
Neem
Oil Palm
Okra