JABOTICABA
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Myrciaria cauliflora
FAMILY: Myrtaceae
Plant Name: Myrciaria caulifora
Common Name: Jaboticaba Family: Myrtaceae [Myrtle]
Climatic Origin: Central South America
Tree: Slow-growing tree
Evergreen / Deciduous: Evergreen
Size: At maturity 10 - 12 Metres
Habit/Form: Profusely branched close to the ground. Upright branches with dense rounded crown.
Leaves: Opposite, ovate to lanceolate, rounded at base; short hairy stalk. Small leaved variety, 2-3 cm long, 1 cm wide, bronze green. Large leaved variety 6 cm long, 2.5 cm wide, leathery texture. New foliage pink. Both have oil glands.
Flowers: Cauliflorous - produced on bark of trunk, limbs and branches. Small creamy white flowers with 4 hairy petals about 1 cm across. Stamens prominent - about 60. Strong perfume.
Fruit: Berry - succulent pulp. Tough skin. Initially green, turning maroon, then black and shiny black. 1-4 Seeds embedded in the pulp. 4-5 weeks from flower to mature fruits. Fruits develops in shade of canopy.
Soil: deep, rich, well-drained soil.
pH: 5.S to 6.S, should be kept well-mulched. Fertilizers S.M. 3 - fowl manure - cow manure - dynamic lifter and 77s all have been mentioned.
Maintenance: irrigation as needed for good soil moisture in the upper 25mm to 50mm of soil, as this tree has a shallow root system.
Pest / Diseases: rust could occur in warm moist conditions. If so, use a fungicide treatment. Also prune for better light and air penetration.
Propagation: usually by seed, as most are polyembryonic; seeds germinate in approximately one month. Potting mixture 2 parts peat - 1 part coarse sand and one part perlite, wood shavings or compost.
Features: skin contains tannin and should not be eaten in large quantities or over a long period of time. Plenty of room should be given, as this tree could grow large over the years. Could do well in landscaping 10 metres by 10 metres. Clear area for planting.
DATE: August 1997
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