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Brazilian Grapetree Plinia cauliflora

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Eugenia cauliflora
  • Myrcia jaboticaba
  • Myrciaria cauliflora
  • Myrciaria jaboticaba
Phonetic Spelling
PLI-nee-ah kaw-lee-FLO-ra
Description

The Jabuticaba is a tropical shrub to tree native to Brazil and Bolivia.  It is most recognizable by the large, spherical, dark purple fruits that grow directly from its trunk.  These fruits are often found in Brazilian markets and are delicious raw or cooked.

This plant grows best in full sun to part shade and rich, moist, well-drained soil.  While it cannot tolerate frost well, it can be grown as a container plant or as bonsai to bring inside when winter temperatures dip too low.  While coastal areas tend to warmer, it does not like salt spray.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Bonsai Garden in Davidson County
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#houseplant#interesting bark#shrub#bonsai#showy fruits#evergreen shrub#evergreen tree#tropical shrub#tropical tree#container plant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#houseplant#interesting bark#shrub#bonsai#showy fruits#evergreen shrub#evergreen tree#tropical shrub#tropical tree#container plant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Plinia
    Species:
    cauliflora
    Family:
    Myrtaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Grafting
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Brazil and Bolivia
    Play Value:
    Edible fruit
    Edibility:
    Fruits are sweet and gelatinous, much like a muscadine grape, and edible raw or cooked.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Houseplant
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Broad
    Dense
    Multi-stemmed
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    6-feet-12 feet
    12-24 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Purple/Lavender
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Showy
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    Round, thick-skinned, grape-like fruits with sweet white flesh. Like the flowers, the fruits grow along the trunk and branches. Fruits 5-6 times a year in optimal conditions and fruit best with cross-pollination.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    White
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    White-yellow flowers grow along the trunk and braches, commonly in groups of four.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    1-4 inch opposite, elliptical leaves that grow in a dense canopy.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Brown
    Red/Burgundy
    Surface/Attachment:
    Exfoliating
    Bark Plate Shape:
    Irregular
    Bark Description:
    Patchy red and beige bark that provides visual interest.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Cream/Tan
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Small Space