Jabuticaba...Fascinating Tree, Wouldn't You Agree?

Jabuticaba Tree
Native to South America

• The Jabuticaba Tree, otherwise known as the Brazilian Grape Tree, is native to South America, notably Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil   
• The purple fruit can be plucked and eaten straight from the tree
• The Jabuticaba tree prefers moist and slightly acid soils but will even grow well in alkaline soil
• The flowers, found along the trunk and branches appear on the tree twice a year.  The habit of flowers doing this makes them cauliflorous. Instead of growing new shoots, these plants flower direct from the woody trunk or stem.
• The tree has evolved in this manner so that animals that cannot climb very high can reach it, eat it and then expel the seeds away from the parent tree to further propagate the species.
• If the tree is well irrigated it will flower and fruit all the year round. The fruit itself is about four centimeters in diameter and has up to four large seeds.    
• As well as being used as food, the skins can be dried out and used to treat asthma and diarrhea.
• If your tonsils are swollen you can also use it to alleviate the inflammation. It is also hoped that the tree will be useful in the fight against cancer, as several anti-cancer compounds have been found in the fruit
• It is a popular ingredient in jellies, can be juiced to make a refreshing summer drink, and it can be fermented and made into wine and strong liquor. It is interesting to note that after three days off the tree, fermentation begins

 

Jabuticaba Tree in flower

 

Ripe fruit on Jabuticaba Tree

Article shared by PRGC member, Lexie