Jaboticaba 'Escarlate' fruit, one of the varieties grafted onto the Jaboticaba 'Grimal' tree at LCG. March 2025 (photo credit: Jacqui Lachmann)
Jaboticaba 'Grimal'
Plinia cauliflora
Myrtaceae family
Seedling, with three more varieties grafted
Also known as the Brazilian Grape Tree, the Jaboticaba is a slow-growing evergreen tree native to Brazil.
Our tree at LCG is a combination of three varieties:
As of 2025, all parts of this tree except the Rio are fruiting.
Jaboticaba trees usually produce fruit multiple times throughout the year (typically in the warmer months). The flowers and fruit form directly on the trunk and are often concealed from view - be sure to look closely, or you may miss it! Decent rainfall after an extended dry period will often trigger a flush of flowers and fruit. The fruit matures rapidly, usually within 20 to 25 days from flowering.
In general, Jaboticaba fruit has a thick skin that encases a sweet gelatinous flesh. You can eat the fruit with the skin on, but the skin is chewy and tart so you might prefer it without. It is often used to make jams, jelly, tarts, juice, or strong wines. High in fibre, vitamin C and zinc, rich in antioxidants. Research has also shown the peel is a source of bioactive compounds with prebiotic effects.
The location within LCG was chosen because of the high water table in this area - Jaboticabas love water.
Due to its short shelf-life, fresh Jaboticaba fruit is rare in markets outside areas of cultivation.
Tree Provenance
The 'Grimal' was obtained from Daleys Fruit Tree Nursery in Kyogle NSW. Grant Jenkins, our tropical fruit tree enthusiast, grafted three more varieties onto the 'Grimal' seedling tree.
Tree Maintenance
Plinia cauliflora
Myrtaceae family
Seedling, with three more varieties grafted
Also known as the Brazilian Grape Tree, the Jaboticaba is a slow-growing evergreen tree native to Brazil.
Our tree at LCG is a combination of three varieties:
- 'Grimal' - grown from seed and forms the main basis of this tree. Sometimes known as the Giant Jaboticaba, it bears fruits that are larger than many Jaboticaba varieties (up to 3.5 cm) with thick pulp and small seeds. Also notable is that the fruits are mildly hairy.
- 'Costata' (Plinia phitrantha) - grafted. Fruit is thin-skinned.
- Escarlate - grafted. A medium sized fruit up to 3cm, with a thin skin turning red when ripe.
- Rio - grafted.
As of 2025, all parts of this tree except the Rio are fruiting.
Jaboticaba trees usually produce fruit multiple times throughout the year (typically in the warmer months). The flowers and fruit form directly on the trunk and are often concealed from view - be sure to look closely, or you may miss it! Decent rainfall after an extended dry period will often trigger a flush of flowers and fruit. The fruit matures rapidly, usually within 20 to 25 days from flowering.
In general, Jaboticaba fruit has a thick skin that encases a sweet gelatinous flesh. You can eat the fruit with the skin on, but the skin is chewy and tart so you might prefer it without. It is often used to make jams, jelly, tarts, juice, or strong wines. High in fibre, vitamin C and zinc, rich in antioxidants. Research has also shown the peel is a source of bioactive compounds with prebiotic effects.
The location within LCG was chosen because of the high water table in this area - Jaboticabas love water.
Due to its short shelf-life, fresh Jaboticaba fruit is rare in markets outside areas of cultivation.
Tree Provenance
The 'Grimal' was obtained from Daleys Fruit Tree Nursery in Kyogle NSW. Grant Jenkins, our tropical fruit tree enthusiast, grafted three more varieties onto the 'Grimal' seedling tree.
Tree Maintenance
- Be sure to located graft points before attempting any pruning!
- Prune to size as needed - keep to about 2.5m height.
- Jaboticabas are acid-loving; do not apply alkaline soil amendments such as lime.
- It is not nutrient-demanding: fertilise sparingly twice per year with an organic fertiliser such as chicken manure pellets or 'blood & bone'. Jaboticabas are sensitive to fertiliser: too much will result in leaf tip burn.
- Apply seaweed emulsion as a foliar spray up to four times per year.
- Once established, water deeply during dry periods. Younger trees should not be allowed to dry out. Will handle flooding conditions well.
Jaboticaba 'Grimal' at LCG December 2024 (photo credit: Jacqui Lachmann)
Jaboticaba 'Grimal' at LCG August 2022 (photo credit: Graham Bond)
