EVEN MORE TROPPO

ANOTHER SENSATIONAL SIX TO CONSIDER FOR YOUR GARDEN — OR YOUR FRUIT SALAD

- Claire Bickle

BABACO, CARICA PENTAGONA

One of my absolute favourite fruits, but not often seen for sale in fruit shops because of its soft skin and perishability.

Origin: Highland regions of Andes Mountains in Ecuador.

Height: 2-2.5m.

Climate: Subtropical to warm temperate. Light frost is tolerated.

Growing: Must have perfect drainage but adequate watering.

Best in semi-shade with protection from strong winds, the babaco dislikes a combination of high temperatures and low humidity.

Pollination: Self-pollinating. Can only be propagated via stem cuttings or tissue culture.

Fruit: Shown at left, yellow and quite unlike its sister fruit the pawpaw. The cream-coloured flesh free of seeds is light, refreshing, slightly acidic, tasting of a combination of pineapple, papaya and strawberry. The fruit is also full of delicious juice.

Harvest: It only takes 9-14 months until first harvests start.

A single mature tree can produce 25-100 fruits per year.

Eating: Fresh, drinks, ice-cream, fruit salad.

JABOTICABA, MYRCIARIA CAULIFLORA

Intriguingly, the fruit of the jaboticaba grows on the trunk and branches of the tree. When a tree produces its flowers and fruit this way, it's called cauliflorous – hence its specific name cauliflora. The stunning white flowers make this an intriguing ornamental large shrub/small tree for the garden. It can be used as a hedge, for screening or as a specimen plant and will even grow in a pot.

Origin: Southern Brazil.

Height: 5-10m. It is more often seen around the 5-6m mark in home gardens.

Climate: Subtropical to warm temperate. Light frost is tolerated.