[The chayote, Sechium edule Swartz (Cucurbitaceae)].

Sechium edule (chayote) is a cucurbitaceus species. A fast transition from domestic crop to exportation product, made evident the lack of adequate information about the plant and the cultivation techniques. This work summarizes, reinterprets or describes comprehensively several aspects related to the taxonomy, origin, morphology, physiology, ecology and culture of the species.