Jamaican cherry, Panama berry Seeds (Muntingia calabura)
Price for Package of 5 seeds.
Muntingia calabura, the sole species in the genus Muntingia, is a flowering
plant native to southern Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and western South America south to Peru and Bolivia. Common names include (English) Jamaican cherry, Panama berry, Singapore cherry, Bajelly
tree,
Strawberry tree; (Spanish) bolaina, yamanaza, cacaniqua, capulín blanco, nigua, niguito, memizo or memiso; (Indonesia) kersen; and (Vietnamese) Trứng cá (thực vật); and (Filipino) alatris, aratiles, manzanitas and sarisa,
It is a small
tree 7–12 meters tall with tiered and slightly drooping branches. It has serrated leaves 2.5–15 cm long and 1–6.5 cm wide. The
flowers are small, white and slightly malodorous. It gives rise to 1–1.5 cm light red
fruit. The
fruit is edible, sweet and juicy, and contains a large number of tiny (0.5 mm) yellow
seeds.
It is a pioneer species that thrives in poor soil, able to tolerate acidic and alkaline conditions and drought. Its
seeds are dispersed by birds and
fruit bats. It is cultivated for its edible
fruit, and has become naturalised in some other parts of the tropics, including southeastern Asia. As a pioneer
plant, it could help condition the soil and make it habitable to other
plants. However, it might also be considered as an invasive species since it might out-compete indigenous
plants.
Uses
In Mexico, the fruits are eaten and sold in markets. The fruits can be processed into jams and the leaves can be used for making tea. In Brazil, the
trees are planted along river banks. The fruits falling from the
tree attract fish that are then caught. In the Philippines and Indonesia the fruits are usually eaten mostly by children although they are not sold in the markets.
In traditional medicine, its
flowers can be used as an antiseptic and to treat abdominal cramps.
The timber from the Jamaican cherry is reddish-brown. It is compact, durable and lightweight and can be used for carpentry. It could also be used as firewood. The bark can be used to produce ropes and fiber for bark skirts. Due to its ability to grow in poor soil and its effective propagation by means of bats and birds, it could be used for reforestation projects.
In India, it is used in urban gardens for its ability to grow fast and attractiveness to small
fruit eating birds such as the flowerpeckers. It is also commonly planted in parking lots.
Habitat
In Malaysia this
tree grows very easily and is widespread. With enough sun and water it grows with little or no tending. The Malaysian common name "Ceri Kampung" means "village cherry" in English. In Malaysia, the muntingia
tree is found in many urban areas lining the sides of streets in front of row houses. There the muntingia produces great quantities of
fruit. Buying the
fruit at stores impossible, because people eat the free
fruit that grows along the streets. Children climb these
trees to pick the
fruit and fill tubs for themselves and their family to eat.
Fruit from Muntingia is also harvested for export overseas. In nations where the climate is inhospitable to the Muntingia the
fruit is considered a luxury and sold at a premium.
Taste
These cherries are very sweet and taste similar to cotton candy. It also taste like strawberries that is very ripe.
Growing
This is a fast growing fruit tree, 2 weeks to be a 3 meter tree. After the flowers are pollinated, there will be lots of the berries growing. Once they ripen, the flowers start to bloom again. After one crop of berries is harvested, the flowers will pollinate back into fruit. The fruit tree will grow for many years.
Sowing Instructions
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Propagation:
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Seeds
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Pretreat:
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soak in water for 24 hours
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Stratification:
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0
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Sowing Time:
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all year round
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Sowing Depth:
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Needs Light to germinate!
Just sprinkle on the surface of the substrate + gently press
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Sowing Mix:
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Coir or sowing mix + sand or perlite
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Germination temperature:
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25-27°C
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Location:
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bright + keep constantly moist not wet
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Germination Time:
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3 - 6 weeks
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Watering:
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Water regularly during the growing season
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