Pineapple

Ananas comosus

Physical Characteristics

Ananas comosus is an evergreen Perennial growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Distribution

S. America - Brazil.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Shoots Stem Edible Uses: Fruit - raw, cooked or preserved[ 46 , 296 ]. A very succulent, aromatic, sweet, acidic pulp[ 416 ]. It can be eaten fresh or canned as dessert, cooked in dishes, and is also commonly used for making juice[ 418 ]. The core of the fruit is made into candies[ 46 ]. The fruit is a good source of vitamins A and C[ 254 ]. The fruit is a multiple fruit formed by the almost complete fusion of 100 - 200 berry-like fruitlets. It can weigh between 0.5 and 2.5 kilos[ 418 ]. The fruits are about 30 - 60 cm long[ 335 ]. A sugar-syrup is obtained from the pressed juice[ 418 ]. Terminal buds - raw or cooked[ 301 ]. They can be cooked as a vegetable or added to soups[ 301 ]. Flowering stem - cooked[ 301 ]. Peeled and sliced, they are used as a cooked vegetable or are added to stews[ 301 ]. Young shoots are eaten in salads or curries[ 301 ].

Medicinal Uses

Abortifacient Appetite Stimulants Digestive Digestive Diuretic Laxative Purgative Skin Uterine tonic Pineapple fruits contain bromelain, a protein-splitting enzyme that aids digestion[ 254 ]. The sour, unripe fruit improves digestion, increases appetite and relieves dyspepsia[ 254 ]. In Indian herbal medicine it is also thought to act as a uterine tonic[ 254 ]. It is used as a treatment to ease sore throats[ 348 ]. It is eaten in some areas, either on its own or cooked with Citrus aurantiifolia) to procure an abortion[ 348 ]. The ripe fruit cools and soothes - it is used to settle wind and reduce excessive gastric acid[ 254 , 348 ]. Its significant fibre content make it a useful laxative for relieving constipation[ 254 ]. The juice of the ripe fruit is both diuretic and a digestive tonic[ 254 ]. The leaves are anthelmintic and purgative[ 272 ]. They considered useful in encouraging the onset of menstruation and easing painful periods[ 254 ]. The leaves are used to treat fractures[ 348 ]. The juice of the plant is applied to burns, itches and boils[ 272 ].

Known Hazards

Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested