Native to Mexico and Central America, this shiny plant is largely grown for ornamental purposes, but its fruit, which is shaped like an ear of corn and is the only nonpoisonous part of the plant, is popular in the tropics.

It takes just over a year for the fruit to ripen; when it does, the scales begin to separate, allowing the white flesh inside to peek through. Said to taste like a blend of pineapple and banana, this wonderful fruit often eaten fresh, served with a bit of cream, added to fruit cups and ice cream, or used to flavor beverages.