This tropical fruit tree is the Genip, Melicoccus bijugatus. It is also known by many regional names, including Genip, Guinep, Spanish Lime, Mamoncillo and Quenepa. It belongs to the soapberry family, Sapindaceae, along with lychee, longan and ackee. It is native to tropical parts of northern South America and has long been cultivated throughout the Caribbean and Central America.

Genip can grow into a large, handsome shade tree with a straight trunk, spreading branches and a dense, rounded crown. Mature trees may become quite substantial, so they are usually best suited to open spaces.

The leaves are compound and usually made up of four glossy leaflets arranged in two opposite pairs. The species name bijugatus refers to this arrangement of two paired sets of leaflets.

The flowers are small, greenish-white and produced in slender branching clusters. They may not be especially showy, but they can be fragrant and attract bees and other insects.

Male and female flowers are generally borne on separate trees. This means that a female tree normally needs a male tree growing nearby before it can produce a good crop of fruit.

The fruits grow in heavy hanging clusters. Each one is round or slightly oval, with a smooth, thin green skin that remains green even when the fruit is ripe. That can make ripeness difficult to judge by appearance alone.

Inside is a large seed surrounded by a thin layer of salmon-colored, orange or yellowish pulp. The pulp is juicy, sweet and tart and clings tightly to the seed. It is usually eaten by cracking the skin with the teeth and then sucking the pulp from around the seed.

Because the seed is large and the pulp is slippery, the fruit should be eaten carefully rather than swallowed whole. Children in particular should be supervised when eating it.

Genips are commonly eaten fresh, but the pulp may also be used to make drinks, preserves and alcoholic beverages. The fruits are sold widely in roadside markets during their season and are closely associated with childhood memories throughout much of the Caribbean.

Birds, bats and other animals may also feed on the fruits and help spread the seeds.

The Genip Tree is therefore more than a source of fruit. Its broad crown provides welcome shade, its flowers support insects, and its clustered green fruits are part of Caribbean food culture.

When the tree is carrying a heavy crop, the branches may be crowded with bunches of fruit—each one hiding a bright, tangy pulp beneath an ordinary-looking green skin.