Myrciaria cauliflora Berg.

• Common Name: Jaboticaba
• Family: Myrtaceae Juss.

• Country of Origin: Brazil
• Habitat: native to the hilly region around Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais

• Description: This shrub or small tree from Brazil has an unusual means of bearing its fruit. The grape-sized, dark bluish-purple-black fruit are borne directly on the trunk or larger branches. This slow-growing plant takes 8 to 10 years to produce fruit unless it is a grafted tree, which reduces the period. Fully grown, the tree bears several crops per year. The fruit is worth the wait, being juicy, grape-like in appearance and taste. It is used in jelly, or as a fine wine, or eaten out of hand. It can withstand temperatures of 26 degrees F. Propagated by seed or grafting. Air layers have rarely been successful.

  The astringent decoction of the sun-dried skins is prescribed in Brazil as a treatment for hemoptysis, asthma, diarrhea and dysentery; also as a gargle for chronic inflammation of the tonsils. Such use may also lead to excessive consumption of tannin (carcinogenic if taken over a long period of time)

Additional images for this accession:

Accession Data:

• Accession # 199200474
• Source: Alan Wachtel
• Accession Date: 09-17-1992
• Bench: 1323 - NEO:Amazonia A
• Qty: 1 confirmed on 01-14-2013

Classification:

• Division: Magnoliophyta
• Class: Magnoliopsida
• SubClass: rosids
• Order: Myrtales
• SubOrder:
• Family: Myrtaceae
• SubFamily: Myrtoideae
• Tribe: Myrteae
• SubTribe:

References:

1. California Rare Fruit Growers Fruit Facts
2. Morton, J. 1987. Jaboticabas. p. 371–374. In: Fruits of warm climates. Julia F. Morton, Miami, FL.

data regenerated on Wed, 22 May 2013 14:20:07 -0400