The flowers (fig. 1 B & C) are very small and of a reddish white colour. Calyx and corolla are five partite, the ten filaments are united at their base (fig. 1 G) and only half of them are developed to fruitful organs, such as bear pollen (fig. 1 J) in their four separate anther compartments (fig. 1 H).
The pistil is formed of five united carpels and bears in each of its five compartments eight ovules. (Fig. 1 E & F).
The fruit is at first green, and afterwards turns yellow, but with streaks and tints of red occurring; many varieties also are entirely crimson. Resembling our cucumber in size, shape and appearance (see fig. 2 A & B), it has a length of about 25 cm. and a diameter of 10 cm., and the thickness of its shell is from 15 to 20 mm. This shell is of rather softer consistency than that of the gourd, and has five deep longitudinal channels, with five others of less depth between them.
[Illustration: Fig. 1. (After Berg & Schmidt, Atlas.)
_A_ Twig in bloom (1/2). _B_ Flower (3/1). _C_ Flower in vertical section (3/1). _D_ Leaf of flower (6/1) _E_ Bean-pod in vertical section (6/1) _F_ Bean-pod in cross section (9/1). _H_ Anther. _J_ Pollen.]
The shell encloses a soft, sweetish pulp, within which from twenty-five to forty almond shaped seeds are ranged in five longitudinal rows, close to each other. The white colour of these seeds is frequently tinged with yellow, crimson, or violet (Sec. Fig. 2 C. D. & G).
[Illustration: Fig. 2. (After Berg & Schmidt).
_A_ Fruit with half of shell removed (1/2). _B_ Fruit in cross section (1/2). _C_ Side view of seed (1/3). _D_ Front view of seed (1/1). _E_ Seedling (1/1). _F_ Kotyledon or Seed-leaf (1/1). _G_ Seed in cross section (1/1).]
The fruits ripen throughout the whole year, though but slowly during the dry season; and the time needed for its full development is about four months. It may be gathered at all times of the year, although there are regular gathering seasons, determined and modified by the respective climatic conditions. So, for example, we find that in Brazil the principal gathering takes place in February and July, whilst in Mexico it is in March and April. In the primeval Amazonian forests the fruit of the cacao tree is gathered and brought to market at all times of the year, wherever Indian tribes obtain.