Cozumel is an island in the Caribbean Sea near Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. Its subtropical climate produces high humidity and an average temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit. While this popular tourist attraction is better known for its beaches, Cozumel also features several tropical fruit trees that are sure to attract a gardener's eye.
Banana trees (musa) grow widely in Cozumel in full sun areas, and different types of trees feature both edible and ornamental fruit. Bananas fare best in an acidic soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. The soil should also contain lots of organic materials and be moist but not flooded. The trees feature elongated ovoid leaves with ridges; these leaves are used frequently in Mayan cooking. Bananas develop off the stalk's flowers in one long column.
Avocados are a native fruit to Mexico, flowering in the late winter and developing fruit from the summer to early fall. It is a fast-growing tree that can reach a height of 80 feet. Avocado trees feature glossy dark-green leaves and yellow-green flowers. While avocado trees can grow in the shade, they only bear fruit when planted in sunny locations.
Indigenous to Mexico, the guava tree holds an important place in Mayan culture. Mayan healers use the plant's fruit, leaves and bark for medicinal purposes. Cozumel's guava trees display white blossoms and small green-skinned fruits. The trees can reach 33 feet and thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Guava can be eaten raw or cooked. When ripe the fruit emits a sweet fragrance.
Sapodilla trees are native to the Yucatan and found more often in Central America than North America. The sapodilla features a brown velvety skin and yellow or red fruit. Wild sapodilla trees can reach up to 100 feet, according to California Rare Fruit Growers. Sapodilla tastes like pears and brown sugar. This evergreen tree requires well-drained soil and is drought resistant.
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