Jaboticaba
Plinia cauliflora

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

Plinia cauliflora or commonly known as Jacoticaba is a tropical, medium-sized cultivated fruit tree native to South Brazil. It is slow-growing, reaching a height of usually about 5-13 m and trunk diameter of up to 20 cm. The crown is round, symmetrical, dense, and wide. Its small, dark green leaves are arranged oppositely. The flowers are white and small. The fruit is purple and globose, with thick skin and translucent, juicy pulp. It is high in Vitamin C and can be eaten raw or processed first into sweets or fermented into wine. Jacoticaba fruit jam is known in Brazil as ?Brazilian Grape Jelly?. There are no known medicinal uses of this plant. The wood is only used for charcoal and as fuel. The plant can be grown from seeds or by grafting.

Plinia cauliflora is an evergreen Tree growing to 13 m (42ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. 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 and can grow in very acid and saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 13

Where it is found

Not known in the wild

S. America - eastern Brazil, Bolivia.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Brazil, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bolivia, Colombia, Cook Islands, Hawaii, Honduras, Pacific, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, North America, SE Asia, South America, Tasmania, Uruguay, USA,

How it is used

Food

Rating: 4

The fruit can be eaten raw, made into jellies, syrups and preserves or fermented into wine. The purplish, grape-like fruit has a thick skin with a translucent, juicy pulp and a pleasant vinous flavour. In both taste and appearance they are remarkably like some cultivars of the muscadine grape. The fruit is rich in vitamin C. The shining-black, globose fruit is up to 35mm in diameter. The jam is marketed in Brazil as 'Brazilian Grape Jelly'.

Drink: not including plant saps, tea or coffee substitutes.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Vitamin C: Plants good for their vitamin C content

Other

Rating: 2

Other Uses: The wood is straight-grained, average texture, moderately heavy, but susceptible to wood-eating organisms. It is only used as a fuel and to make charcoal.

Charcoal: Used for fuel, drawing, deodorant, filter, fertilizer etc.

Fuel: Usually wood, plant materials that have been mentioned as being a good fuel.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

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

How it is grown

A plant of the tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,700 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 - 28°c, but can tolerate 10 - 32?c. When dormant, the plant can survive occasional short-lived temperatures down to about -3°c, but young growth can be severely damaged at -1°c. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 900 - 1,500mm, but tolerates 700 - 1,700mm. Requires a sunny position. Prefers a fertile, deep, well-drained, humus-rich, mildly-acid soil. Tolerant of moderate levels of salt in the soil. Plants have a high requirement for iron. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 7.5, tolerating 4.5 - 8. Newly planted young trees are quite slow to establish and grow away. Plants commence fruiting in about 6 - 10 years from seed and 4 years from layering. In warm tropical and subtropical areas with light rainfall he plant can produce 5 or 6 crops each year. The flowers and fruits are formed on the trunk and branches. Plants have a compact, fibrous root system and transplant well. There is at least one named form.

Propagating it: Seed - it has a short viability and so is best sown as soon as it is ripe. Sow in a semi-shaded position in a nursery seedbed. Germination rates can be 90% or more, with the seed sprouting within 20 - 35 days. The seedlings grow quite slowly. 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

Guapuru, Taanumox, Ibapumi, Jabuticabeira, Jabuticaba, Jabuticabeira-preta, Jabuticabeira-rajada, Jabuticabeira-rosea, Jacoticaba de Sao Paulo, Grauda, jaboticabeira.

Synonyms

Eugenia cauliflora (Mart.) DC. Eugenia jaboticaba (Vell.) Kiaersk. Myrcia jaboticaba (Vell.) Baill.