So, I was in our rural home over the weekend and as I was just lazing around the compound, I decided to check on the condition of this fruit plant growing wild on the fence that separates our chicken coop and the house.
You see, we have a couple of sheep and baby cows we sometimes let loose in the main compound so they can keep the grass low. They do such an amazing job - almost professional landscaping. But sometimes, someone forgets to lock the gate to the back of the house and the animals find there way in out of curiosity.
When they get in, the always go straight for the fruit plant. The leaves, vines, all gone in an instant. But somehow the plant fights back and grows even stronger to this: ->
But what type of fruit is it?
The loose translation of what we call the fruit in our local language is "Fruit of Sugar" or Sugar Fruit if you like. The name is quite self explanatory. It is a sweet fruit, but not a heavy sweetness. Think sugar cane but less sugary and more refreshing. You could have 20 of these in one seating and still want to eat more.
I used Google Lens to try and find out the common name and it was really helpful. Sweet Granadilla, it is called.
It is a type of passion fruit and doesn't need a lot of maintenance to grow, at least where we live. We don't use any pesticides, and all we have to do is water it during dry seasons and adding some organic manure to boost fruiting.
It is also a climbing plant like most passion fruits, and will need a chicken wire fence or strong thick wire to wrap its tendrils on.
If you ever get the chance to plant one, or stumble upon it in, give it a try. It might not look like much at first glance, but one bite in and you’ll understand why the animals always go straight for it.