unknown tree (forum)

ally starts with ...
Hi All
I'm not sure if this is a fruit tree or not, but it is in my back yard and I don't know what it is! It is "fruiting" now but was covered in beautiful purple flowers previously. The fruit appears to be white then ripen to a dark purple. If anyone can help identify it would be appreciated. Thanks.
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1

Time: 17th May 2009 1:34pm

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About the Author ally
sydney
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HappyEarth says...
Hi Ally,

This looks like a Brazillian Cherry to me. Wait until it is dark purple brefore eating it:

http://www.daleysfruit.com.au/fruit%20pages/brazcherry.htm

Hope this helps,

Rich
www.happyearth.com.au

Time: 17th May 2009 3:19pm

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Wollongong
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randey says...
hi, randey here. what you have is referred to as a "pitanga cherry" and yes it does originate in brazil. my varietys fruit goes from green to orange then to dark red. the flesh has a sweet/ astringent taste and is extremely high in vitamin c. my tree is over 3 metres high and fruits 2-3 times a year and is easy to propogate via the round seeds within. hopr this helps.

Time: 19th May 2009 8:19am

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About the Author randey
perth
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juanita says...
Hi ally & randey,

Will this type of cherry (brazilian) survive in cool melb weather?

Would you like to sell some seeds?

Time: 19th May 2009 3:47pm

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About the Author juanita
melbourne
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Steve says...
Picture looks the same as my Brazilan cherry (Eugenia uniflora). It doesn't turn dark purple when ripe. Fruit are a shiny red & go a dull red when fruit is large, plump & soft. They taste acidic when unripe & sweet when ripe. Wonderful tree to grow, good as a hedge, new leaf growth is a nice red, my trees have suffered no diseases or problems & crop several times a year.
I agree Randey, seeds are so easy to propagate - I'm sure my visiters are sick of taking home B/C seedlings!
I'm not sure if suitable to grow in Melbourne, I would assume they are sub tropical, but no harm in trying especially if you're able to provide a warm micro-climate

Time: 24th May 2009 10:18am

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About the Author Steve
Coffs Harbour
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denise says...
Hi, Some of the pitanga(surinam cherry) plants have red fruit and others have a very dark fruit. They need a sheltered hotspot and heaps of water with reasonable drainage.-especially when they are growing further away from the tropics where they grow best. I have fruited them in auckland but they are fussy about the conditions

Time: 28th May 2009 1:01pm

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About the Author denise4
auckland kiwiland
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randey says...
hi Juanita i tend to agree with steve re growing in a micro climate. i have a friend who has over the years built up mounds of compost mostly of grass clippings around his trees. during summer he waters with subsoil irrigation and a microspray to create a very humid atmosphere and during winter the heat generated by the rotting compost almost duplicates the same effect. mind you he has nearly half an acre of land and it looks as close to a tropical jungle as you will see.

Time: 2nd June 2009 7:03am

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About the Author randey
perth
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