Some botanists divide this species into two, recognising Plinia jaboticaba (treated here as a synonym) as a distinct species[].

Common Name: Jaboticaba

General Information

Jaboticaba is a very slow-growing ornamental evergreen shrub or small tree with a dense crown, that can grow from 3 - 10 metres tall[, ]. It has one or more trunks and the branches emerge close to the ground and spread to give a dense, wide, round and symmetrical crown[].
A highly esteemed fruit in Brazil, where the plant is often cultivated in domestic orchards[, , , ]. The fruit is often found for sale in local markets[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - eastern Brazil, Bolivia.

Habitat

Not known in the wild

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	13.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental

Cultivation Details

A plant of the tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,700 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 - 28°c, but can tolerate 10 - 32°c[]. When dormant, the plant can survive occasional short-lived temperatures down to about -3°c, but young growth can be severely damaged at -1°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 900 - 1,500mm, but tolerates 700 - 1,700mm[].
Requires a sunny position[]. Prefers a fertile, deep, well-drained, humus-rich, mildly-acid soil[, ]. Tolerant of moderate levels of salt in the soil[]. Plants have a high requirement for iron[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 7.5, tolerating 4.5 - 8[].
Newly planted young trees are quite slow to establish and grow away[].
Plants commence fruiting in about 6 - 10 years from seed and 4 years from layering[, ].
In warm tropical and subtropical areas with light rainfall he plant can produce 5 or 6 crops each year[].
The flowers and fruits are formed on the trunk and branches[].
Plants have a compact, fibrous root system and transplant well[].
There is at least one named form[].

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw, made into jellies, syrups and preserves or fermented into wine[, ]. The purplish, grape-like fruit has a thick skin with a translucent, juicy pulp and a pleasant vinous flavour[]. In both taste and appearance they are remarkably like some cultivars of the muscadine grape[]. The fruit is rich in vitamin C[]. The shining-black, globose fruit is up to 35mm in diameter[]. The jam is marketed in Brazil as 'Brazilian Grape Jelly'[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The wood is straight-grained, average texture, moderately heavy, but susceptible to wood-eating organisms[]. It is only used as a fuel and to make charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed - it has a short viability and so is best sown as soon as it is ripe. Sow in a semi-shaded position in a nursery seedbed. Germination rates can be 90% or more, with the seed sprouting within 20 - 35 days[]. The seedlings grow quite slowly[].
Cuttings
Side-veneer grafting

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