Jaboticaba, Brazilian Tree Grape (Myrtle family) Myrciaria
cauliflora (Myrtaceae) 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 he will surely not live to taste
its fruit. The older man responds that i