Jaboticabas, Brazilian grapetree, Large jaboticaba
Plinia cauliflora

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A medium sized evergreen tree. It grows to 5-13 m tall. The trunk is 15-20 cm across. It often has several stems. The bark peels off in patches. The leaves are opposite and small. They are dark green. They are 5 cm long by 2 cm wide. Flowers are produced on larger trunks and branches. Flowers are small and white and only last one or two days. Fruit can occur in clusters of 2 or 3 on short stalks on the trunks. The fruit are purplish black. Fruit are 2-4 cm across. They resemble a grape. The fruit have a white pulp and several seeds.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is native to S Brazil. It grows in humid higher mountain forests in Brazil. They suit tropical and subtropical climates. Trees cannot tolerate salt wind. Trees once established can survive temperatures down to -5°C for short periods. They do best in acid soil with pH of 5.5 to 6.5. On alkaline soils micronutrient deficiencies often occur. Heavy mulching and an organic soil are best. Because of the shallow root system plants suffer from drying out. Plants can survive extended flooding. They can stand full sun or shade. In Bolivia it grows between 300-1,700 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 10-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Central America, Colombia, Cook Islands, Cuba, El Salvador, Hawaii, Honduras, Pacific, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, North America, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, South America, Tasmania, Uruguay, USA, West Indies

How it is used for food

Fruit can be eaten fresh. They are also used for jams and wines. The pulp is juicy and sweet. The skin is not eaten. The fruit can be frozen or dried for later use.

It is a cultivated fruit tree. The fruit are very popular.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Trees can be grown from seed, or by grafting. Seed breed reasonably true to type. The seeds are collected from ripe fruit that have been allowed to partly decompose and are then washed free of pulp under running water. Seeds need to be cleaned of pulp and sown fresh. They germinate in 28 days. Layering can be used.

Trees grow slowly. Trees can be grown from seed and seedlings may not fruit for 6-10 years. Trees can be grafted for better fruit. Grafted trees produce fruit in 4-5 years. Fruit can occur in 6-8 flushes throughout the year. It takes 21-25 days from flowering to fruit maturity.

Its other names

Local names

Grauda, Guaperu, Guapuru, Ibapumi, Jabuticaba, Jabuticabeira-preta, Jabuticabeira-rajada, Jabuticabeira-rosea, Jabuticabeira, Jacoticaba de Sao Paulo, Sabara, Taanumox, Ybapuru

Synonyms

Eugenia cauliflora (Mart.) DC.; Eugenia jaboticaba (Vell.) Kiaersk.; Myrica jaboticaba (Vell.) Baill.; Myrciaria cauliflora (Mart.) O. Berg.; Myrtus cauliflora Mart.; Myrtus jaboticaba Vell.; Plinia jaboticaba (Vell.) Kausel;