SAURAUIA BERRY- Information (forum)

John Mc starts with ...
SAURAUIA BERRY
(Saurauia madrensis)


Found this unusual plant in an elderly ladies yard the other day. Thought I'd share some info on it. Apparently, the previous owners were travellers and would bring back seeds of edible plants from around the world and plant them in their backyard. Most of the plants(seeds?) were planted in the early '90's so are at an advanced stage.
Anyway, here's the spool:

Family: Actinidiaceae
Synonyms: Saurauia brachybotryis, S. bullosa, S. tomentosa
Other names: Moquillo

Saurauia berry is a relative of kiwi. It bears small greenish fruits which are very sweet in taste. The pulp is mucilaginous, sticky and filled with numerous small seeds.
It is believed to be a native to the Sierra Madre mountain region of Mexico. This fruit is virtually unknown outside Central America.
Local people collect the fruits to eat and also offer them for sale along with other fruits in the local markets in Central America.
Description:
A short to medium sized tree growing to 5-10 m.
Leaves large, prominently veined leaves and quite attractive.
Flowers white, borne in cluster of a dozen or more.

Fruits small, light green, often with a blush of pink.
Seeds very small, embedded in the pulp, numerous.

Utilization:
The fruits are edible and eaten by local people. The tree looks quite ornamental. It also bears very showy flowers. So it is quite suitable for planting around homes, in gardens and public parks.

Cultivation:
Saurauia berry grows well in cooler subtropical climates where there is very little frost. It seems to prefer locations which have full sun or partial shade. It should be planted in well drained soils only. It will also require frequent watering.
New plants can be raised from seed which germinates very easily without any special pre sowing treatment.



Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1
Picture: 2
Picture: 3

Time: 23rd September 2011 11:08pm

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About the Author JohnMc1
Warnervale NSW
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Jantina says...
Sounds like you have stumbled onto a goldmine John. I hope you are planning to propagate some of these treasures while you can. Thankfully I know the answer is yes.

Time: 24th September 2011 8:30am

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About the Author Jantina
Mt Gambier
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John Mc says...
You guessed right there Jantina. I'll post up some more trees when I find out more info on what she has. There's another interesting tree there with a (horrible) better known name of the snot apple, African Chewing gum.
(Azanza garckeana).
The lady has offered seed of these plants when they become availabe, so there will be plenty to go around to those that might be interested.

Time: 24th September 2011 12:47pm

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About the Author JohnMc1
Warnervale NSW
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Jantina says...
Good work!

Time: 24th September 2011 1:28pm

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About the Author Jantina
Mt Gambier
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Speedy says...
Yeah, John I'd like some snot apple seeds if that's ok.
I grew some form seeds sent from Zimbabwe but gave the plants away to people cause I didn't have land at the time.
Now I've lost track of them.

I'd like to try some moquillo seeds too if possible.
Thanks

Time: 24th September 2011 11:15pm

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About the Author Speedy
Nthn Vic.
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John Mc says...
Sure thing Speedy. Nothing's in flower yet, you're first on the list when the fruit becomes available.

Time: 25th September 2011 4:09pm

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About the Author JohnMc1
Warnervale NSW
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Linton says...
Hi John
I'm very interested in trying to grow these two- Saurauia Berry and Snot Apple. Can you put me as number 2 on your list - great thanx!

Time: 26th September 2011 10:05am

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About the Author Linton
Melbourne
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JohnMc1 says...
African Snot apple (Azanza garckeana) in flower. The owners have been sweeping the nuts up and putting them in the bin, dammit. They are now going to keep them for me.
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1
Picture: 2
Picture: 3

Time: 5th May 2014 6:11pm

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Original Post was last edited: 5th May 2014 6:11pm

About the Author JohnMc1
Warnervale NSW
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MaryT says...
JohnMc1 I have seen these tree tulips or something like it growing in the wild in Australia. Have to look through thousands of photos to find it again though. It might have been in the Kimberley.

Time: 6th May 2014 6:32am

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About the Author MaryT
Sydney
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JohnMc1 says...
That's interesting Mary, here I was thinking I was looking at the only live, producing specimen in Australia, lol. I haven't found anything on Google yet with any Australian connections. I'll keep researching.

Time: 6th May 2014 8:06am

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About the Author JohnMc1
Warnervale NSW
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MaryT says...
There are so many in the family that perhaps I was remembering a distant relative :) Anyway, you might have already found this page but I will add this link :

http://www.fao.org/docrep/X5327e/x5327e0l.htm

Time: 6th May 2014 8:42am

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About the Author MaryT
Sydney
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