Today I planted a cannonball tree. In early August Sui and Orlando sent me some cannonball fruits from Oahu because they knew I was looking for one and well… here we are 125 days later.
Couroupita guianensis is native to South America but for some reason it is culturally and religiously significant in India. The oldest recorded tree in India dates back 3000 years ago predating the voyages of Magellan, Marco Polo, and Columbus. You can find cannonball trees growing at the entrances of temples in India.
These trees can get enormous. There is a big one at Foster botanical garden in Nuuanu. The tree produces a fury of fragrant and beautiful flowers that turn into cannonball fruits. Each cannonball fruit can weigh several pounds and about 10 inches in diameter. It can be kind of dangerous when they fall down especially from a tall tree.
The white pulp inside the fruit is edible but not the best tasting to say the least. Once exposed to air the fruit quickly oxidizes and turns into a Smurf blue color. It can stain your hands. Try and guess how I know.
It’s been five years since Orlando and Sui stayed with us over the new years when we barely had anything planted here. Much has changed since then. I am looking forward to showing them all the progress in person. Thanks guys!
If anyone on Big Island is interested in planting a cannonball tree let me know. I have some extras!
Originally posted on 2021-12-30, part of the daily planting journal behind Ha’a Chocolate’s food forest on Hawai’i Island.