What's Blooming April 4-10: The Brazilian Tree Grape
Jaboticaba, Brazilian Tree Grape (Myrtle family) Myrciaria
cauliflora (Myrtaceae) Origin: Brazil  One of the most
interesting and delicious of all tropical fruits, and hands-down
the handsomest, Jaboticaba was barely known outside of its
native range until the early part of the last century.  There
are actually many species in the genus, most of which produce
different sizes and colors of fruit, but M. cauliflora is most
commonly cultivated.  The specific epithet is derived from the
habit of cauliflory, which is evident in the picture.  Plants
exhibiting this type of flowering bloom and fruit directly on
the trunk and older branches of the tree. As with most plants in
the Myrtaceae family, Jaboticaba has exfoliating bark, so even
when not in bloom or fruit, it is a beautiful tree.  A slow
grower, it takes a seedling many years to fruit. A popular
Brazilian parable tells of a young man asking an older man why
he is planting a Jaboticaba in his garden, since