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Jaboticaba Myrciaria cauliflora
Originally from Tropical America, Jaboticaba is a shrubby tree of the Myrtle
family which also includes eucalyptus, guava, cacao, our native stoppers, and
many more trees of ecological and economic importance.
The jaboticaba has all of the best features of the myrtle family: glossy
green leaves, attractive peeling bark, sweet-smelling flowers that are
attractive to bees and other insects, and edible fruits.
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Here is one in the landscaping right outside the office
door. It is about 15 feet high and 12 feet wide. |
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Like many of the myrtle family trees, the flowers and
fruits are cauliflorous, which means that they sprout right out of the
trunks and woody branches, rather than from the tips, like apples or
peaches. |
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After planting, they typically take several years to start
producing fruit, but once they begin, they usually fruit twice a year (in
April and July here in South Florida). Some trees will flower
several times per year, |
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The fruits are highly prized throughout Tropical America.
They are packed with anti-oxidants and have been found to possess
cancer-fighting properties. |
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The fruits are roughly an inch in diameter, and have an
edible, chewable soft seed in the middle of sweet pulp. |
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We have some beautiful specimens in 45-gallon containers
that are already fruiting. |
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For more information on Jaboticaba, please click here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jabuticaba
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