No, this is not a belated April Fool’s prank. They look as if they may have been pinned there by an over enthusiastic gardener to impress the neighbors but the fruit of the Jabuticaba really does grow off the trunk of the tree.
Otherwise known as the Brazilian Grape Tree, this plant is native to South America, notably Paraguay, Argentina and (obviously from its name) mostly from Brazil. The fruit, a succulent looking purple color can be plucked and eaten straight from the tree.
It is also a popular ingredient in jellies and is also juiced to make a refreshing summer drink. What is more it can be fermented and made in to wine and strong liquor. After three days off the tree the fermentation will begin so sometimes, there is no choice. Honestly.
If you want one of these in your garden then you have to be patient. The tree takes an age to grow, but once it reaches maturity it is worth it. However, it has proven to be very adaptable and although it prefers moist and slightly acid soils it will even grow well in an alkaline type soil.
The flowers themselves appear on the tree at most twice a year –
naturally. They look like some strange alien creature that has deposited itself on the trunk and branches. The habit of flowers doing this makes them cauliflorous. Instead of growing new shoots these plants flower direct from the woody trunk or stem.
You might ask why it is this way. The simple answer is that it has evolved in this manner so that animals that cannot climb very high can reach it, eat it and then expel the seeds away from the parent tree to further propagate the species.
If the tree is well irrigated then it will flower and fruit all the year round. The fruit itself is about four centimeters in diameter and has up to four large seeds. As well as being used as food the skins can be dried out and used to treat asthma and diarrhoea.
If your tonsils are swollen you can also use it to try and alleviate the inflammation. It is also hoped that the tree will be useful in the fight against cancer as several anti-cancer compounds have been found in the fruit.
Altogether a useful tree if a slightly strange looking one.
First Image
Image Credit Flickr User Maurogaunandi
...And now for something completely different!
Movie may be too big a word for this four minute spectacular. However, if you like a pastiche of other movies, plus Kung Fu sea gulls you will love this over at our sibling site,
Webphemera.
See how many movie references you can find. We won't give them away here, but you will have a lot of fun looking for them. This is a very clever short film!
There is a Jabuticaba Liqueur typical of the southeastern state of Minas Gerais that is dangerously delicious.
ReplyDeleteAs we say here: if it exists only in Brazil and it's not jabuticaba, it's probably bullshit.
ReplyDeleteWhy do all the images link to an article about "abnormal gruesome galls"?
ReplyDeleteI think it is to stop people copying the pictures (too easily)
ReplyDeleteone of the most gostoza fruit I've ever eaten here in Brazil
ReplyDeleteEu moro em Santa Catarina, aqui no Brasil, e adoro jabuticabas, são frutas deliciosas. Adorei o post, apesar de ter que usar um tradutor para poder ler.
ReplyDeleteIt is the first time I see a post about jabuticaba in a foreign site.
ReplyDeleteJabuticaba is the best Brazilian fruit. And is a powerfull as a remedie!
Silvia
It certainly looks like a fruit that I would try eating, why not! I have liked most fruits and vegetables I have tried in my lifetime.
ReplyDeleteMany people think the fruit will assist people in losing weight.
ReplyDeleteBenjamin Koshkin
I love jabuticaba! It's one of the best fruits you can find in Brazil
ReplyDeletewhere can i purchase one?
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic tree! never heard of it before - I love how it looks 'warts and all' and how stunning ti must be in Spring. Lucky Brasil!
ReplyDeleteAnother curiosity: brazilians rent a jabuticaba tree in order to permit a group of friends or a family to eat all the fruits they can for the stipulated period of time.
ReplyDeletethis is awesome, great post.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever heard of this exotic strange substance named Chocolate? It is made of seeds from Theobroma cacao. This tree also shows "Cauliflory" wich is the correct botanical term for plants that flower and fruit on their main stem...
ReplyDeletemust be pretty rare - never heard of this in the state and never seen anything like it in the stores - Im curious to taste one for myself
ReplyDeleteThe fruits have a taste that's *somewhat* like a Concord grape. White pulp inside with a tough skin, much like Florida's Scuppernong (Muscadine) grapes. Jaboticaba doesn't like my garden, although I think Top Tropicals in Punta Gorda, FL, have some trees near fruiting age.
ReplyDeleteVery cool! My mouth is watering already!
ReplyDeleteLike Silvia said, it's the first time as well for me that I see an article - a good one, that is - about it. I think it's one of the few tropical fruits that are still refusing to grow elsewhere... I've also heard about bonsai trees of jabuticabas with flowers AND fruits, but I have never seen one. Yet. I'm from Minas Gerais and it seems that in some cities whenever there is a house with some fruit trees there must be a jabuticabeira (a jabuticaba tree). Indeed it takes a lot for it to produce fruits, my brother has one in his house for decades I think (at least 15 years I'm sure) and just now it is slowly giving some fruits - the trees don't have that many fruits at once, it starts with a few when the tree is young and might or not end up in a full tree.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI have never come across this one. Quite interesting.
I am sure you would like to know that the Indian Jackfruit Tree also yields fruits on the branches. The green fruits are quite large. Google search for 'Jackfruit' and you will know what I mean.
Very interesting and unusual! A friend sent this to me by e-mail. I was about to grab it to post on my blog, then I saw this IS a blog. You are doing a super job with your blogs!
ReplyDeleteIncredibly unique. Great pictures really show the fruit, makes me want to pick one and eat it!
ReplyDeletewe picked some at an acquaintance's home. they are about 2cm in diameter in this particular species and taste very good. the seeds are covered in a furry substance like a papaya pit but you can chew them up too if you like although I don't know if you are suppose to or not and they are just a little bitter. Does anyone know if you can eat the seeds? We are going to try them in a smoothie tonight (recommended on another site).
ReplyDeleteI find your blog and writing very refreshing. Just a vast array of things, just like you'd find going about your day and see and write about. I like and will be checking back so see what's new you've found.
ReplyDelete