Chiotilla (Escontria chiotilla)

Family: Cactaceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

A cactus. This is the only species in the Genus Escontria. The fruit is sweet, edible and very delicious with a gooseberry flavour. It is used in marmalade and ice cream and as a juice. It makes a good living fence.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Berries

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Edible Portion: Fruit. The purple fleshy fruit are eaten fresh. They are also used in marmalade and ice cream. They are also used for juice. The fruit are also dried and said to have a gooseberry flavour. — Edible Portion: Fruit.; The purple fleshy fruit are eaten fresh.; They are also used in marmalade and ice cream.; They are also used for juice.

Habitat & North American Range

It is a tropical plant growing in deciduous forest and xerophyllous scrub tropical. It grows in arid places. It occurs in areas with a temperature of 25°C and a rainfall of 1,340 mm. (Zone 9)