Blue Grape, False Jaboticaba
Myrciaria vexator

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

Myrciaria vexator or commonly known as Blue Grape is a slow-growing evergreen fruit tree that can be about 10 m tall and found in Venezuela, Panama, and Costa Rica. The fruit is small and purple containing one or two seeds. The leaves are layered and deep green. The bark is flaky.

Myrciaria vexator is an evergreen Tree growing to 10 m (32ft) by 8 m (26ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 10

Where it is found

Pastures along roadsides.

S. America - Venezuela; C. America - Panama and Costa Rica.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Costa Rica; Panama; Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of, Australia, Central America, Costa Rica, South America,

How it is used

Food

Rating: 4

Fruit. A delicious flavour. The plum-sized fruit has a thick skin.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 0

Other Uses None known

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

This Jaboticaba relative is a slow growing, beautiful ornamental shrub that grows up to 6 ft. It bears a dark purple, almost bluish fruit with thin, sweet flesh surrounding one or two large seeds. Flowering Time: Blooms repeatedly. Bloom Color: White/Near White Inconspicuous/none. Spacing: 4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m).

Propagating it: Seed - Cuttings Side-veneer grafting

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Slow

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Blue Grape, False Jaboticaba.

Synonyms

No synonyms are recorded for this name.