This herbaceous shrub has an erect greenish trunk that seldom branches and has a crown of large dark green lobed leaves. The small yellow funnel-shaped flowers appear from the trunk and are followed by large edible 5-sided pendant fruit.

Hardiness zones 10 to 12

Carica pentagonais naturally found in South America growing in the central southern highlands of Ecuador at an altitude up to 2000 m (6,200 ft).

It prefers a wind protected sunny position but will tolerate some shade and grows in fertile well-drained, light organic rich soils with reliable moisture and dislikes salt laden winds and is frost or drought tender.

Babaco is grown for its fruit and is planted in small or tropical gardens as a specimen and is grown commercially in larger gardens. It is suitable to coastal and mountainous regions establishing in 1-2 years from but is short lived. This plant is not commonly cultivated in domestic gardens but here are several varieties available with improved fruiting qualities. ID 3267

Carica(KAIR-ih-kuh) pentagona(PEN-tah-GOH-nah)

Cariaceae(KAR-ee-AY-see-ee)