Druivenboom

Stamvruchten.
Druiven groeien hier aan de stam!!

No, this is not a belated April Fool’s prank. They look as if they may have been pinned there by an over enthusiastic gardener to impress the neighbors but the fruit of the Jabuticaba really does grow off the trunk of the tree.



 



Otherwise known as the Brazilian Grape Tree (Plinia cauliflora), this plant is native to South America, notably Paraguay, Argentina and (obviously from its name) mostly from Brazil.  The fruit, a succulent looking purple color can be plucked and eaten straight from the tree


It is also a popular ingredient in jellies and is also juiced to make a refreshing summer drink.  What is more it can be fermented and made in to wine and strong liquor.  After three days off the tree the fermentation will begin so, sometimes, there is no choice but to create a beverage with a certain alcoholic kick to it.  



If you want one of these in your garden then you have to be patient.  The tree takes an age to grow, but once it reaches maturity it is worth it.  However, it has proven to be very adaptable and although it prefers moist and slightly acid soils it will even grow well in an alkaline type soil.



Even so a plant grafted from a parent tree will take five years to fruit.  If you grow a jabuticaba from seed then your children may enjoy the fruits of your labor as it can take up to twenty years to produce anything edible. However, as they grow so slowly they are popular as a bonsai plant in places with more moderate weather.



The flowers themselves appear on the tree at most twice a year – naturally.  They look like some strange alien frost has deposited itself on the trunk and branches. The habit of flowers doing this makes them cauliflorous.   Instead of growing new shoots these plants flower direct from the woody trunk or stem.