Plinia phitrantha
| White jaboticaba (Plinia phitrantha) | |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Plinia phitrantha |
| Common name | White jaboticaba; ibatinga; jaboticaba branca |
| Genus | Plinia |
| Family | Myrtaceae |
| Order | Myrtales |
| Growth habit | Semi-deciduous small tree |
| Fruit | Green, about 10–25 mm across; eaten raw |
Plinia phitrantha, commonly called white jaboticaba, ibatinga or jaboticaba branca, is a semi-deciduous small tree of eastern and southeastern Brazil. It is accepted as a species in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, and has also been treated under the names Myrciaria aureana, Myrciaria phitrantha, Eugenia phitrantha and Plinia aureana.[1][2][3]
Description[edit | edit source]
The tree is described as about 2–7 m tall and semi-deciduous. Its native setting is in moist tropical lowlands of eastern Brazil, at elevations reaching about 400 m. The fruit is green and has been described at 10–25 mm in diameter; another horticultural description gives approximately 25 mm.[1][4]
Cultivation[edit | edit source]
Soil and water[edit | edit source]
The species is associated with moist tropical lowlands, and occasional inundation is described as tolerated. A site that retains moisture but drains between wet periods is a cautious interpretation of that habitat; the reported inundation tolerance should not be treated as evidence for continuous waterlogging or a fixed irrigation schedule.[1]
Sun and humidity[edit | edit source]
Full sun to moderate shade is the documented exposure range. This gives a practical starting range for a warm, humid growing climate, but it does not establish a measured light threshold or a universal humidity requirement.[1]
Seasonal changes[edit | edit source]
As a semi-deciduous tree, P. phitrantha can shed leaves as seasons change. The habit should not be treated as proof of a fixed dormancy, irrigation-reduction schedule, or flowering calendar.[1]
Propagation[edit | edit source]
Seed viability is short, so freshly cleaned seed should be sown promptly in semi-shade. The horticultural description reports germination usually below 50%, sprouting in about 25–35 days, and slow seedling growth. These figures are useful planning values rather than a guarantee for every seed lot.[1]
Flowering, fruiting, and harvest[edit | edit source]
The fruit is produced by a small tree whose establishment after planting is described as slow. Fruit size is approximately 10–25 mm in one description and about 25 mm in another, so size is best treated as a range rather than a fixed measurement.[1][4]
Fruit and uses[edit | edit source]
The fruit is described as edible raw, with succulent, sweet and pleasant-tasting pulp. Its green appearance distinguishes this jaboticaba from the dark-fruited appearance common in other Plinia and jaboticaba accounts; the recorded edible use is not a food-safety assessment.[1][4]