Myrtaceae, Myrciaria cauliflora var. ? Dwarf jaboticaba
The Jaboticaba originates in Southern Brazil where it is one of the most popular fruits, in some parts of the country this is the most common fruit in markets.
Typically Jaboticaba trees grow from 10 – 12 meters high and can take from 6-8 years to bear fruit when grown from seed, and even longer (8-10) when grown in lower, hotter climates.
The variety photographed below is a dwarf, only about two and a half feet tall, bears three times a year, and has larger leaves then the common Jaboticaba. The skin is thin enough to be eaten. As long as it gets irrigated when fruiting, this particular variety seems to do great in the lowland, dry humid tropics.
This is a stem bearing tree. When it is in full bloom the trunk and thicker branches are covered in an almost fuzz like layer of flowers, then the bulbous fruit appear and grow quite rapidly. It seems to take about 15-20 days from flower to mature fruit on this tree.
I’m trying to grow as many as I can. It’s bearing right now (end of April).
I want to buy jaboticaba trees. Where I can get some trees.
Depends on where you live.
Just curious , how old are these dwarfs ? Is this the variety that is known in Brasil as ” precose ”
Luc
They’re about five years old, been bearing since they were 2.5 yrs old. I’m still not positive on the variety.
Dear Anthromes and Luc,
Yes, this is the “precoce” or “hibrida” jaboticaba, the most sold in Brazilian nurseries. No doubt about it, the photos of leaves, trunk, fruits and flower are very characteristic. In spite of the advantages, the skin is very thin (as Anthrome noted) and so the fruit is very perishable and easily attacked by birds.
Luc is a good friend of mine, and already knows precoce for sure. I wouldn’t call it a “true dwarf”, a name that should be applied to Myrciaria (=Plinia) nana, a real dwarf of under 80 cm, and with trunk thinner than a pencil! See also this species with fruits at my website http://www.e-jardim.com.
There is about a dozen of different jaboticaba species described. Most of them appear in “Brazilian Trees volume 3″ of Harri Lorenzi. The book was just released (December 2009) and can be easily find at the web for sale. Unfortunately Plinia nana is not there, bcs it is merely a shrub, not a tree.
Cheers
Thanks a lot for the information. In Panama this tree can bear fruit three or more times a year. Seems to flower and fruit in pretty quick succession. I’m propagating as much as I can. Jaboticaba are virtually unheard of here (as are most varieties of fruit outside a handful common ones). Any other cultivars you’d recommend in particular for this area, either pacific side (dry season) or carribbean (wet year round)?
Luc (a tremendously generous gentleman by the way) sent to my husband a “dwarf jabo” seedling in september 2009. The plant has been happily growing and thriving in a container since then, though no flowers yet.
We haven’t lost hope though. Thanks again, Luc!
About a year ago I acquired some dwarf jaboticaba trees from Luc as well, and have planted them on a project I work on south of Puerto Vallarta. They are now bearing fruit and producing more seed for propagation. So a thanks from me as well.
Hello !
I am Peter Ha from Malaysia. I would be very grateful if someone could help me to obtain some dwarf jaboticaba seeds as I am very curious about this fruit which is still an ‘ alien’ in my country ! So far, this fruit is just unheard of in Malaysia. Please help me soonest possible.
Many thanks for your help.
I live in Panama. Where in Panama, can I buy this tree?
It’s very difficult to find in Panama. Panama has very little diversity in regional nurseries when it comes to useful plants, (other then the common citrus, mango, avocado, etc). I would suggest bringing plants from Costa Rica, where there are great nurseries. One source I do know of is called Jardines Bonsai, located just after the Albrook entrance to Parque Metropolitano, in Panama City. The Greek owner has some large trees in 30 gallon containers. He may also have a few smaller plants.
I would like to write you Ron, but i dont have your address or email. if you are not ron but know how to get a hold of him could you give him this message. Thanks Sandy
Hello !
I am living in Malaysia and have not seen any Jaboticaba tree here. Perhaps, it doesn’t exist at all !!! Therefore, I am very keen to grow it in Malaysia. I would be very grateful if you could advise me on how to buy some Jaboticaba seeds.
Thank you very much.
Yours sincerely,
Peter Ha