Hi there. I purchased a tree from the Markets years ago, it grew with these beautiful looking berries. I decided to try just one small one. I felt fine. As the tree grew i ate more of the berries (dumb i know) but they have thus far had no effect on me. I have looked EVERYWHERE for these berries, and nowhere have i seen them, some are similar both non toxic and toxic so i am just confused. The fruit is lovely, very slightly bitter Black/purple shiny skin, a juicy inside (kind of like Lychee) with a couple of small seeds inside, the larger the fruit the sweeter the taste. The shrub at the moment is slightly taller than 6 feet 5 (so a tall man). Attached are some pictures, let me know what the heck i have been eating pleasse! Thank You -Ramey
Nice looking plant, but sorry, not sure what it is; interesting the way the berries are on the thicker stems (a feature known as 'cauliflory'), that might help pin it down. If you've been eating them safely for some time, that means they're not likely to be poisonous! Maybe take a specimen (twig with leaves and berries) to Sydney Botanic Gardens and ask there?
The leaves remind me very much of a spice called Arrayan, which I believe is some kind of Myrtle. The berries aren't quite right, though; Myrtle berries have the same little calyxy-thingie on the bottom as blueberries do. In any case, if it is a Myrtle the berries won't hurt you. They're used to flavour liqueurs. The other thing that comes to mind is Laurel, also a spice. According to Plants for a Future, Laurel Berries are also edible.
Hmmmm, i've looked up the Myrtles and Laurel, and even though somewhat close, they are not as distinct as this plant that i've got herem especially the berry itself, it's very unique. I still call this case unsolved! Ahhhh.
>Hmmmm, i've looked up the Myrtles< "The family Myrtaceae has at least 3000 species, possibly more than 5000 species, and is distributed in 130-150 genera" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myrtaceae
Ron B, that is correct but it's still not specific, the hunt continues for me. I dont want conjecture with what i am eating, i want to know with assurance.
I'm with Ron. I just picked some fresh Arrayan (Luma apiculata) and the tree I harvested from has berries that look exactly like yours. They're just green right now (not ripe.)
I've looked at images of the Arrayan berrries, and they are not the same! The flowers are very different and the fruits don't grow on the stem and the shapes are a lot less round? Arrghh! This is doing my head in.
The problem may be, now that I look at it, that "Arrayan" is the blanket name for about 7 different myrtles whose leaves are used as a spice. Hence, my Arrayan might not be yours. But I'll hold that it is Arrayan.
You may have to wait until next year when it flowers to get a definitive id. Please do come back with more pics... you have caught my interest! It looks a very heathy, and attractive shrub.
Wikipedia page I linked to has a list of Myrtaceae genera. If you read the discussion that precedes the list many of them can be ruled out for producing dry capsules rather than fleshy fruits. You could also look for your shrub at any nearby labeled collections, such as public gardens, private gardens open to visitors, and garden centers there may be. Take a representative fruiting branch with you. http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/welcome_to_bgt
Woohooo you guys were RIGHT and let me to the right direction thank you so so much and sorry for doubting. The plant above is : Myrciaria http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myrciaria Myrciaria is a genus of large shrubs and small trees native to South America, especially Brazil. Common names include Jaboticaba, Jabuticaba, Guaperu, Guapuru, Hivapuru, Sabará, and Ybapuru. The Jaboticabas are a significant commercial fruit in Brazil, where most species are native. The fruit is grapelike in size and appearance, and often likened to a muscadine grape in taste. The flowers and subsequent fruits of M. cauliflora are borne directly on the main trunks. M. dubia, the camu-camu berry, is grown primarily in flood-zone areas of Peru and has been called the fruit with the highest vitamin C (ascorbic acid) content of any fruit. :D
