Unusual Fruit Tree Names

Have you ever wondered where some of the common names we give to plants come from? And why there are some of them which just sound quite unexpected, like “Buddha’s hand” or “Ice cream bean”?

We’re sure you have, and we did too. So we decided to do some research and find out more about the most interesting and unique fruit tree names and their origins. As it turns out, the names that people give to plants and fruit can most of the times tell us quite a bit about their history and how they are used or eaten.

Let’s enter the gallery of wonderful and extraordinary fruit tree names.

Bixa orellana - Achiote - Lisptick tree - open fruit and seeds — Lisptick tree (*Bixa orellana*) — open fruit and seeds

Moringa oleifera - Miracle tree - Drumstick tree - pods — Miracle tree, drumstick tree (*Moringa oleifera*)

Origin: Asia
This tree makes other trees want to take vitamin supplements! Its leaves are packed with proteins and vitamins, and the pods even dress up as drumsticks for a botanical percussion show.

Diospyros digyna - Chocolate pudding fruit — Chocolate pudding fruit (*Diospyros digyna*)

Origin: Central America
Picture this: tasting the ripe fruit is like dipping your spoon into a Nutella jar – only, it's a fruit, not chocolate spread!

Inga edulis - Ice cream bean - open pod detail — Ice cream bean, Indian marshmallow (*Inga edulis*)

Origin: South America
The ripe pods are the real ice cream dream! Bite into them, and it's like a marshmallow in an ice cream wonderland. Who needs cones and scoops?

Bixa orellana - Lipstick tree fruit — Lisptick tree (*Bixa orellana*)

Origin: South America
The vibrant red of the seeds resembles the color of lipstick. It has been used traditionally as body paint by the Indians and is now widely used as a coloring agent in food.

Arbutus unedo - Medronheiro - Strawberry tree - fruit — Strawberry tree (*Arbutus unedo*)

Origin: Europe
It's actually a strawberry imposter. Its red fruit resembles strawberries, but don't be fooled. It's not actually related to strawberries. It is more tart and less sweet than a strawberry.

Muntigia calabura - Cotton candy tree - open fruit — Cotton candy tree (*Muntigia calabura*)

Origin: Central America
Ever wondered what cotton candy grows on? Well, it's this tree! When you bite into its fruit, it melts in your mouth like you're at the county fair.

Acca sellowiana - Pineapple guava - Feijoa - open fruit — Pineapple guava (*Acca sellowiana*)

Origin: South America
It's like a tropical fruit mashup – pineapple and guava decided to have a flavor party, and this fruit is the delicious result!

Averrhoa carambola - Star fruit -- cut fruit — Star fruit (*Averrhoa carambola*)

Origin: Asia
This fruit is basically the Hollywood celebrity of the fruit world – every slice is a five-pointed star!

Bunchosia argentea - Peanut butter tree fruit — Peanut butter tree (*Bunchosia argentea*)

Origin: South America
Forget the sandwich, just head to this tree! Its fruit has a creamy, nutty flavor that's like nature's peanut butter.

Butia capitata - Apricot palm tree - Jelly palm tree fruit — Apricot palm tree, jelly palm tree (*Butia capitata*)

Origin: South America
It is so versatile that you can eat the fruit, make jelly with it, or even use it to make a delicious cocktail. The fruit of this tree is sweet and juicy, and it's perfect for snacking on.

Citrus medica digitata - Buddhas hand lemon fruit — Buddha's hand (*Citrus medica digitata*)

Origin: Asia
Mother Nature decided to do some hand modelling, and the result is a fruit that looks like it belongs in a meditation session!

Dimocarpus longan - Dragons eye - open fruit — Dragon’s eye (*Dimocarpus longan*)

Origin: Asia
It's like nature's little optical illusion – small, round, and translucent, with a seed that gives you the eye. Dragon-approved!

Hylocereus undatus - Pitaya - Dragon fruit — Dragon fruit (*Hylocereus undatus*)

Origin: South America
The name is derived from its unique appearance, where the spikes resemble fire and the scales resemble that of a dragon, as depicted in Chinese mythology.

Microcitrus australasica - Caviar lime - open fruit — Caviar lime (*Microcitrus australasica*)

Origin: Oceania
Sliced open, these little vesicles look like caviar stars making a guest appearance in your dishes. Get ready for a posh party in your mouth!

Monstera deliciosa - Delicious monster - Fruit salad tree - fruit — Delicious monster, fruit salad tree (*Monstera deliciosa*)

Origin: South America
It's a monster-sized name for a monster-sized flavor! Ripe fruit is a tropical party of pineapple, banana, and strawberry all in one – a fruity fiesta!

Opuntia ficus indica - Prickly Pear - fruit — Prickly pear (*Opuntia ficus-indica*)

Origin: Central America
It's like a pear that went to a punk rock concert and came back with a whole lot of spikes.

Pereskia aculeata - Carne do pobre - Meat for the poor - leaves — Carne do Pobre, meat for the poor (*Pereskia aculeata*)

Origin: South America
Forget filet mignon, we've got cactus leaves that are the budget-friendly, vitamin-packed alternative! The plant is also called “Ora pro nobis” (pray for us) possibly as a way to express gratitude for the sustenance it provided.

Musa balbisiana Lep chang kut - Elephant toe banana - fruit — Elephant toe banana (*Musa balbisiana Lep chang kut*)

Origin: Asia
Small banana, big personality! This little guy has the shape of an elephant's toe, but it's all about deliciousness.

Solanum betaceum - Tamarillo - Tomato tree — Tomato tree (*Solanum betaceum*)

Origin: South America
It's like a tomato with dreams of being a tree when it grows up. Huge leaves, quirky tomato-like fruits, and a burst of tangy sweetness - it's Mother Nature's overachiever, proving that even tomatoes can aim for the stars!

Solanum muricatum - Melon pear - fruit — Melon pear plant (*Solanum muricatum*)

Origin: South America
The melon pear plant is so delicious that it's like a pear and a melon had a baby. This fruit is native to South America and has a sweet, melon-like flavor.

Ziziphus jujuba - Jujube tree fruit in the Coco Zone — Chinese winter date (*Ziziphus jujuba*)

Origin: Asia
It's the fruit that's basically telling us, "Summer's over, folks!" Tastes like a date, ripens when you're already reminiscing about beach days.

Glycosmis pentaphylla or Gin berry — Gin berry (*Glycosmis pentaphylla*)

Origin: Asia
Gin berry is the common name though it’s not well documented why it is called so. Here, we tried the berries and they really taste like gin. They have similarities in flavor, aroma, and appearance of its fruit to juniper berries. Santé! Saúde!

Rose apple or Syzygium jambos — Rose apple (*Syzygium jambos*)

Origin: Asia
The rose apple is the fruit world's undercover agent – it looks like an apple, smells like a rose, and tastes like a tropical vacation. It's the fruity surprise party you never knew you needed!

All of these unusually-named fruit trees and other edible plants are available at the Orchard of Flavours edible botanical garden, in Tavira, Algarve, for you to see, smell, touch and maybe even taste!

Pay us a visit one of these days and explore the world of flavours we’re growing.

Fruits from Orchard of Flavours botanical garden

This article was compiled by Miguel COTTON & Miguel PEREIRA. If you have any questions or suggestions, do not hesitate to contact us. miguel@orchardofflavours.com