Mahalo again to Joe for finding us stuff like this that basically nobody outside its home range grows.
The Basics
Guaquica is a rare relative of jaboticaba, a Plinia species in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae.
Origin and Habitat
It comes from the Atlantic rainforest near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a biodiversity hotspot that’s also home to many other rare Plinia and Myrtaceae species.
What It Looks Like
Bears small yellow fruit, similar in general form to a yellow jaboticaba.
Uses and Flavor
From what I’ve read, the flavor is extraordinary, similar to yellow jaboticaba but with a much better flesh-to-seed ratio, which makes it a lot more satisfying to actually eat.
Growing It Here
Got this one from Joe. It’s the kind of rare find that basically nobody outside its native range grows, which makes having it here feel like a real privilege. It’s planted close to our high traffic zone, so I always have an eye on it, which is good, because it’s a genuinely slow grower and easy to lose track of otherwise.
Pests and Diseases to Watch For
No issues to report yet.
Kenta’s Take
This is exactly the kind of tree that makes this whole project worth it — something so rare in cultivation that I’m mostly going on secondhand reports until ours finally fruits. Slow going, but it’s right where I’ll notice the day it finally does.