Myrciaria cauliflora - Jaboticaba or Brazilian grape tree

Here is an unusual tree that most people will never see or hear about, the Jaboticaba. Listed as a zone 9b tropical or tender perennial, it will grow up to 40 ft and is listed as evergreen (although this particular one will shed all its leaves in the early spring).
An interesting fact about this tree is that it produces edible fruit on the trunk and must shred the bark before it can do so (the tree in the photo is about 4 ft tall and starting to shed)

 

You're growing this here? In a greenhouse? Has it flowered, had fruit yet?

 

As this tree is still young it overwinters in the house but my ultimate goal it to climatize it enough to plant it in my covered garden (unheated but protected from snow and too much rain). It currently stays inside until March/April and then goes out into my backyard until mid-September, and when it goes outside each spring it will drop all its leaves before regrowing without issue so I believe it to be hardier than listed.
It started shedding for the first time last year so I'm hoping that it will soon think about producing fruit

 

The scientific name of this plant is very unique. It is just a grape plants but the scientific name is very different.

 

You mean the fruits look like (or taste like?) grapes? The plant is neither related to grapes nor is anything like grapes in the way the fruits grow or are arranged.

 

Because the fruit has a very short shelf-life it's only found in local markets in Brazil but I would love try one.

Wikipedia image of jabuticaba fruit.


I planted my tree inground inside my covered garden this year and am hoping it's now large enough and healthy enough to survive the winters - listed as subtropical zone 9, and can apparently handle mild frosts.

 

I suppose you'd better not tell us if this tree ever has fruits - you will have so many new best friends.

 

Pmurphy, would you be will to share a seeding or two?

 

Unfortunately I lost it (among other things) during the winter of 2022-2023....snowmageddon!

 

@pmurphy, I'm sorry to hear that. Was it from a seed you brought back from a trip?

 

No, the plant was purchased out of the US back in 2012 from Logee's - is was less than 20cm when I got it. I knew the risk when I put it outside but it was doing so well...until "snowmageddon" struck.

 

@pmurphy - thanks for follow up.