The fruits, native to tropical America, are produced on evergreen vines which are tender and require frost-free areas. Vines are trained on trellises similar to grapes and pruned annually either to stubs or canes. Leaves are large and three-lobed. Fruits are generally globose in shape, purple or yellow in color, about two inches diameter. They have a tough outer skin which encloses a mass of seeds, each imbedded in a juicy pulp, the edible portion.
Flowers are produced on new growth, and ripe fruits and flowers may be on the
plants at the same time.