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chayote

Sechium edule (Jacq.) Sw.

Family: Cucurbitaceae · Genus: Sechium

vegetable pear, mirliton

Placenta II High No biomass production
CC BY-SA · Wikimedia Commons

Perennial climbing cucurbit of Mesoamerican origin, naturalized in Brazil. EcoAgri lists it in the high stratum of the 'up to 3 years' bin (the plant grows over supports or trees). Green fruit eaten cooked; the tuberous root is also edible.

📚 Synonyms

Scientific synonyms: Sicyos edulis

Götsch succession

Götsch stage
Placenta II
Ecological role
Pioneer
Primary stratum
High
Strata
High, Medium
Biomass class
No biomass production

Environment

Light requirement
Partial sun
Water requirement
High
Drought tolerance
Low
Waterlogging tolerance
Low
Soil pH range
5.5–7
Preferred soil texture
Sandy, Loamy
Hardiness zones
9–12
Frost tolerance
0.0 °C

Morphology

Mature height
3–12 m
Recommended spacing
2–3.5 m
Root system
Fibrous
Root depth
Medium
Growth rate
Very fast
Lifespan
≤ 3 years
Time to first harvest
4 months

Biomes & climate

Köppen classes

Where it fits in a guild

Chayote takes the High stratum in the Placenta II phase of succession — in a guild it shares the line with species from the other strata, each harvesting light at its own height, in its own time.

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Emergent High · ≈12 m Medium Low Ground cover

🪴 Cultivation

Vigorous perennial climber reaching 12 m or more, trained on a fence, arbour or tree to keep the heavy fruit off the ground. Grows best in full sun (some cultivars yield more in light shade) and well-drained sandy, organic-rich soil; prefers pH 5.5–7. Propagated by planting the whole fruit (which sprouts while still intact) at an angle, broad end down and narrow end protruding — deep planting rots the fruit; also from 15–20 cm stem cuttings. Cold-sensitive: damaged below 13 °C and killed by frost.

❓ Frequently asked questions

How long until the first harvest of chayote?

The first harvest of chayote comes around 4 months after planting.

What spacing is recommended for chayote?

The recommended spacing for chayote is 2–3.5 m.

How tall does chayote grow?

At maturity, chayote reaches 3–12 m tall.

What stage and stratum does chayote occupy in a syntropic system?

In a syntropic system, chayote belongs to the placenta ii stage, occupying the high stratum.

Functions

🍎 Fruit

Propagation

Seed, Cutting

Citations

  1. EcoAgri — Organização de algumas espécies vegetais por tempo de vida (placentas) e estrato (Cartilha 'Liberdade e Vida com Agrofloresta') , p. 2 (primary_stratum, gotsch_stage)
  2. Plants For A Future (PFAF) — Sechium edule (ph_min, ph_max, hardiness_zone_min, hardiness_zone_max, frost_tolerance_c, height_min_m, height_max_m, light_need, soil_texture_preference, propagation, cultivation_notes)
  3. Harvest to Table — How to Plant, Grow, Prune, and Harvest Chayote (spacing_min_m, spacing_max_m, propagation, cultivation_notes)
  4. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Sechium edule (Jacq.) Sw. (basionym Sicyos edulis Jacq.) (synonyms, scientific_author)

External references

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