Plinia Species, Brazilian Grape Tree, Jaboticaba
Plinia cauliflora
Family: | Myrtaceae (mir-TAY-see-ee) (Info) |
Genus: | Plinia |
Species: | cauliflora (kaw-lih-FLOR-uh) (Info) |
Synonym: | Myrciaria cauliflora |
Category:
Edible Fruits and Nuts
Trees
Tropicals and Tender Perennials
Water Requirements:
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Foliage:
Evergreen
Shiny/Glossy
Foliage Color:
Height:
8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m)
10-12 ft. (3-3.6 m)
12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m)
15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m)
20-30 ft. (6-9 m)
30-40 ft. (9-12 m)
Spacing:
15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Where to Grow:
Danger:
Bloom Color:
White/Near White
Bloom Characteristics:
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Blooms repeatedly
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
Patent Information:
Propagation Methods:
Seed Collecting:
Unblemished fruit must be significantly overripe before harvesting seed; clean and dry seeds
Seed does not store well; sow as soon as possible
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Lake San Marcos, California
Los Angeles, California
Port Hueneme, California
San Jose, California
Upland, California
Willits, California
Boca Raton, Florida
Bradenton, Florida
Bradley, Florida
Brandon, Florida
Cape Coral, Florida
Delray Beach, Florida
Fort Lauderdale, Florida(2 reports)
Fort Myers, Florida
Hollywood, Florida
Key West, Florida
Kissimmee, Florida
Loxahatchee, Florida
Malabar, Florida
Miami, Florida
Naples, Florida
Riverview, Florida
West Palm Beach, Florida
Honomu, Hawaii
MILILANI, Hawaii
Charleston, South Carolina
Austin, Texas
Houston, Texas
Lake Jackson, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
---|---|
Positive | On May 18, 2014, LJGardens2 from Lake Jackson, TX wrote: I'm giving this tree a positive at this time, since I've had it growing in local soil now for about two years, with obvious growth showing, but no fruit yet. I'm in zone 9a, south of Houston, Texas. I recently acquired fruit as well, from which I salvaged the seeds and planted. Hoping to report on any success in germinating them soon. |
Neutral | On Jun 2, 2013, furrbunker from Jackson, MS wrote: I was doing some extensive pruning yesterday in a very overgrown bed that also has a large pine tree and a sweetgum tree...I know sweetgum - but it is such a gorgeous color in the fall. The birds brought both of these plants to my yard many years ago. In trimming the low branches of the sweetgum (touching the ground) I found a "tree" that has berries on the trunk. Never seen this before. It's probably 4 feet tall. In searching for a Mexican avocado tree this morning I found a picture of my new tree. Once again, I can just thank the birds. Definitely not native here in my zone 7b yard. I'll change my experience once I see how it does. We did have snow this year and several really really cold spells. |
Positive | On Dec 4, 2012, memoimyself wrote: This is mostly in response to AlicePolarbear's questions. |
Positive | On Nov 15, 2012, Mendopalmfarm from Willits, CA wrote: I'm now growing one of my older specimens in my greenhouse as we get temps lower than it would enjoy around here. I also planted some at my moms house in the bay area many years ago. They occasionally load up with fruits. However cool rainy weather during bloom seems to make them set a poor crop. They do grow very slow but totally worth the wait. My oldest trees are over 20 years old. And only 7 ft tall |
Positive | On Feb 27, 2011, AlicePolarbear from Fresno, CA wrote: Grew one in mid-city Los Angeles. It grows slowly and looks as if it might make a lovely topiary given its small fine-cut leaves, although I left mine to do as it pleased. It took a number of years for my Jabo to grow to about 8-10 feet, and when it finally started to flower and fruit, it really took off. I read somewhere else that skins should not be eaten due to high tannin content. I didn't know that, and just ate them skins and all. The insides, which pop out easily, remind me of lychee. I didn't usually bother spitting out the seeds although more genteel folk might wish to do so. |
Positive | On May 27, 2010, nfla from Cape Coral, FL wrote: After watching this tree for two years where we buy all of our fruit trees, it finally became part of our yard yesterday. It's a beautiful 14 year old 95 gallon so I don't have to wait to see this guy grow up. Thanks to the guys at the Tree House on Pine Island for taking such good care of it - I know they will miss it but they know it's come to a good home. |
Positive | On May 17, 2010, FloridaAthenian from Bradenton, FL wrote: After weeks of researching I am finally the proud owner of a young Jaboticaba tree. It's a beautiful delicate plant and I can't wait to see it bloom and fruit. I know it's a slow grower that doesn't usually bear fruit until much later and I'm curious as to how I can tell how old my tree is. I bought a 15 gallon one at our local Rare Fruit Tree sale and it's about 5 feet tall. |
Positive | On Nov 24, 2008, fauna4flora from Sinking spring, PA (Zone 5b) wrote: Such a georgeous tree, exfoliating bark notwithstanding. And unlike most tropical "fruit" trees which are so much work for the taste, this tree is very very special and yummy. Love the fact that the fruits pop right off the side of the stem! |
Positive | On Mar 22, 2008, tmccullo from Houston, TX (Zone 9a) wrote: I have been wanting one of these trees since I traveled through Brazil and spent time on a ranch in the state of Goiás. They had a tree that was about 10 foot tall and was loaded with fruit. We finally found a 3 foot tree at of all places, Lowes. I have no idea how old the tree is but I can't wait for it to have fruit. I remember how popular the fruit was in Brazil having it in several different fruit drinks. |
Positive | On Mar 21, 2007, jeffhagen from Fort Lauderdale, FL wrote: This is one of my favorite tropical fruit trees. The fruit is delicious and the tree is quite attractive. They grow very slowly and don't give fruit until they are like 8 years old, so it's best to buy one that is already fairly old (in a 7 to 10 gallon liner). Surprisingly you can find jaboticabas here in South Florida that are several years old for a very reasonable price. |
Positive | On Apr 10, 2005, Kameha from Kissimmee, FL (Zone 9b) wrote: I love the taste of this fruit. Some compare it to muscadine grapes but I think it is much better. It makes quite an interesting specimen in the landscape due to the fact that it flowers and bears fruit directly on the trunk and branches. It takes 8 or more years for one to fruit but it's worth the wait. Jaboticaba trees have attractive foliage and nice peeling brown bark. It's moderately hardy-mature trees tolerating temperatures as low as 24-27 degrees. Very easy to germinate from seed! |
Positive | On Apr 24, 2004, foodiesleuth from Honomu, HI (Zone 11) wrote: In Hawaii we call this tree and fruit jaboticaba. A lovely tree when all covered in the little white powder puff flowers...Nice fruit to work with. Can achieve very large yields and does not take up much room in the yard. |
Positive | On Dec 30, 2003, palmbob from Acton, CA (Zone 8b) wrote: I have grown this plant in So Cal... slow grow, but after 6 years finally produced a few 'grapes'. Wow, are those fruites great. Grapes, growing right off the stems of the bush. Needs more sun than I gave it here. Have seen them produce hundreds of fruits elsewhere in So Cal. |
Positive | On Dec 29, 2003, Monocromatico from Rio de Janeiro, Jabuticaba is a popular fruit in Brazil. Of the size, shape and color of a common grape, it´s hardly sold on markets, more commonly consumed locally. |