Very informative.. Thanks a lot On Wed, Mar 2, 2011 at 10:36 AM, Neo <[email protected]> wrote:
> Appears to belong to the Flacourtia genus. May be Flacourtia jangomas > > On Feb 28, 9:59 pm, Sushmita Jha <[email protected]> wrote: > > Hello all, > > sharing a forward I have received. I have not done any research to verify > > this. Strange forwards do come our way. It will be great to know from > > experts whether this is real. > > Thank you. > > Sushmita Jha > > > > Jabuticaba ? > > The Tree that Fruits on its Trunk > > > > No, this is not a belated April Fool?s prank. They look as if they may > have > > been pinned there by an overenthusiastic 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, 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 into > > wine and strong liquor. After three days off the tree the fermentation > will > > begin, so sometimes, there is no choice; honestly. > > > > 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. > > > > The flowers themselves appear on the tree at most twice a year ? > *naturally > > *. They look like some strange alien creature that 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. > > > > You might ask why it is this way. The simple answer is that it has > evolved > > in this manner so that animals that cannot climb very high can reach it, > eat > > it and then expel the seeds away from the parent tree to further > propagate > > the species. > > > > If the tree is well irrigated then it will flower and fruit all the year > > round. The fruit itself is about four centimeters in diameter and has up > to > > four large seeds. As well as being used as food, the skins can be dried > out > > and used to treat asthma and diarrhea. > > > > If your tonsils are swollen you can also use it to try and alleviate the > > inflammation. It is also hoped that the tree will be useful in the fight > > against cancer, as several anti-cancer compounds have been found in the > > fruit. > > > > Altogether a useful tree, if a slightly strange looking one > > __,_._,_ > > > > ATT00006.jpeg > > 66KViewDownload > > > > ATT00003.jpeg > > 87KViewDownload > > > > ATT00010.jpeg > > 147KViewDownload > > > > ATT00007.jpeg > > 63KViewDownload > > > > ATT00004.jpeg > > 230KViewDownload > > > > ATT00002.jpeg > > 135KViewDownload > > > > ATT00008.jpeg > > 222KViewDownload > > > > ATT00005.jpeg > > 120KViewDownload > > > > ATT00009.jpeg > > 91KViewDownload > > > > ATT00001.jpeg > > 116KViewDownload -- *Manudev K Madhavan* Junior Research Fellow Systematic & Floristic Lab, Department of Botany, Centre for Postgraduate Studies & Research St. Joseph's College, Devagiri Kozhikode- 673 008 Mob: 9496470738
