Azimina is a beautiful deciduous tree with a wide pyramidal crown and an attractive bark, reaching a height of two to five meters depending on the age of the plant. The leaves are large, up to thirty centimeters long, lanceolate with short thick petioles, which gives the tree a decorative appearance even outside the flowering season.
In the spring, the tree is covered with large monoecious bells with a diameter of 3–4 cm, colored in purple or reddish hue. The flowering lasts up to three weeks and immediately leads to the formation of fruits – elongated cucumbers up to twelve centimeters long. The fruits have a bright pineapple-strawberry-mango aroma, tender flesh and a sweet-cloying taste, reminiscent of a combination of strawberries, bananas and pineapple.
The fruits are rich in B group vitamins, vitamin A, ascorbic acid, minerals (potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper, phosphorus, zinc) and plant flavonoids. Their regular consumption contributes to improved vision, blood pressure normalization, strengthening of memory and reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Azimina is easily grown in moderately warm climatic conditions, is resistant to diseases and pests, requires only regular watering, mulching and feeding with complex fertilizer. When planting, young plants are recommended to be covered in winter, and pruning should be carried out in early spring to maintain the shape and health of the tree.
