The jubuticaba tree is native to Brasil and is about the size of a cherry or crab apple tree. It normally blossoms and bears fruit in October but can be "encouraged" to bloom in dry "winter" season if watered frequently. Sara suggested that I attempt this with the three trees that are in this group just to the north of the cafeteria building. The fruit is prized enough that the base is protected with a stone circle and the suckers are trimmed to increase fruit development on the main branches.
When I said main branches, I really meant "on the wood", as these are the "hairy" white blossoms growing directly on the branch. They have a faint sweet fragrance.
The fruit begins to develop as small breen balls. I have put my reading glasses on the branch to give an idea of the size of the new fruit which is the size of a small pea.
AAAKKKKK, this is the same tree branch two days later. The little green "peas" are flower buds. We have not seen the start of the fruit!!
Yes, the fruit grow on small and larger branches and even down the main trunk of the tree. They eventually become the size of a small grape and are dark purple when ripe. I find the fruit somewhat bitter, but the jam is wonderful.
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