Widely distributed, hardy pineapple grown for fresh-fruit market mostly in tropical environments in the Southern Hemisphere. Origin: pre-Columbian, still found deep inland in French Guiana; the tetraploid genotype James Queen (formerly Z) was found in South Africa. Tree: vigorous and robust; small, 60 to 80 cm; leaves short and very spiny, silvery; slip and shoot numbers vary widely between clones; more tolerant to stress, pests and diseases than Smooth Cayenne; susceptible to natural floral induction, phytophthora rots, bacterial fruit collapse, fruitlet core rot (affected fruitlets remain green), and butt rot (Chalara paradoxa). Fruit: yellow; small, 0.5-1.0 kg with crown; conical to cylindrical, depending on clone; small prominent fruitlets; SS 14-18%; relatively low acid; flesh sweet, crisp, golden yellow, with excellent flavor and long shelf life; very susceptible to internal browning, particularly if harvested before maturity.
Home