Discover the 7 Fruits That Start With X

The letter X is often rare, especially at the beginning of words, meaning you won’t find many words that start with X. The spellings of words don’t begin with this letter because the pronunciation of words doesn’t generally start with the “ks” sound. Words that begin with X have an acceptable pronunciation. Despite the lack of X words, here are seven fruits that start with X. Learn about their locations, uses, and tastes.

1. Xanthium

Also known as cocklebur, xanthium is a genus of flowering plants from the Asteraceae family, which encompasses more than 32,000 known species, like asters and daisies. Xanthium is native to the Americas and some parts of Asia, where they grow as herbaceous annual plants. These coarse plants grow 20 to 47 inches tall and feature spiral leaves and long thorns. Its prickly fruits are hard and covered in stiff spines that can stick to clothing and fur, which allows them to travel long distances, spread to other areas, and quickly become invasive. The seeds and seedlings are toxic and can sicken and cause death in animals and humans. However, the bur, or fruit, can be prepared as an herbal remedy and used to treat rhinitis, nasal sinusitis, headache, gastric ulcer, and more.

2. Ximenia

The Ximenia genus is from the Olacaceae family and is a bush-forming shrub also known as tallow wood or hog plum. You will primarily find them in the tropics of the Americas, Africa, Australia, and Southeast Asia. Ximenia is not a domesticated plant, so you will only find it in the wild, where it inhabits diverse environments, including woodlands, bushlands, and mangroves. This shrub flowers during the dry season and can produce fruit after three years. The fruit is golden yellow and round, with a juicy green pulp. People describe the taste as refreshing, acidic, and almond-like.

3. Xarello

Specially grown in Catalonia, Xarello is a white grape variety from Spain and is a cross between a rare white grape called Heben and a Brustiano faux, an indigenous French wine grape. Xarello is one of the varieties used to make the traditional sparkling wine Cava, a fizzy wine like champagne. Wine made from Xarello grapes is very strong and aromatic and is used to make high-end Cavas.

4. Xilacayota Squash

Botanically classified as Cucurbita ficifolia, Xilacayota squash, or Chilacayote squash, is an oblong fruit that appears similar to a watermelon on the outside. The rind is mottled with light green, dark green, and cream-colored spots. The flesh is bright white, juicy, and spongy and features a very mild taste when cooked. It’s great in cooking as it absorbs the flavor of the dish. This squash is known by many names, including the fig leaf gourd in the United States. You can find Xilacayota in North and South America.

5. Xinomavro

Xinomavro is a variety of red grapes from Greece grown in the uplands of Naousa in Macedonia. Xinomarvo wine is one of the most important and renowned wines in Greece, where the cultivated area reaches more than 5,500 acres. This wine is often likened to the highly regarded Barolo wine from Italy. It has high tannins and medium-high acidity and ages very well. Makers also blend Xinomavro with Negoska wine grapes to make a very fruity wine with high alcohol levels.

6. Xoconostle Cactus Fruit

Native to Mexico, the Xoconostle, Opuntia matudae, is a cactus fruit and one of the commercially significant cactus species. Xoconostle is used traditionally in Mexico for medicine but can also be consumed. This fruit is less sweet than other cactus varieties and more acidic. The exterior of the fruit is green, and the interior features green seeds and a red pigment from its antioxidants.

7. Xylocarpus granatum

The Xylocarpus granatum, or cannonball mangrove, is a mangrove species from the mahogany family. This medium-sized tree can grow up to 39 feet tall and features above-ground roots, smooth, brown bark, and pale green to dark green leaves. The tree produces white and pinkish flowers with large, round, wood-like capsules that contain seeds. The wood of the Xylocarpus can be used in construction and furniture making, while the fruit and seeds are traditionally used in medicine. This fruit is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Australia. You can find it near creek banks and estuaries in the higher intertidal zone.

A Recap of the 7 Fruits That Start With X