“White-fruited type, planted about a year and a half ago. Cultivar unspecified.”
Background
Cultivar unconfirmed: white-fruited jaboticabas in the trade are generally a different species, Plinia aureana (sold as 'White Jaboticaba,' with translucent white fruit and a faster 3-5 year fruiting window), or white-fruited Plinia phitrantha selections ('Branca'/'Branca Mel,' with sweet honey-flavored green-white fruit). No single named white cultivar dominates the trade, and Matt's tree's cultivar is unspecified, so record as unconfirmed white-fruited type.
Distinguishing traits
Translucent white to pale-green fruit (lacking the dark anthocyanin skin), sweet and mild-flavored pulp, caulifloric habit with fruit on the trunk and branches. White types are generally reported as faster-fruiting (3-5 years) than standard black jaboticaba. Tree form is similar: slow-growing evergreen shrub/small tree.
Desert care — zone 9b
- Chill hours
- None required (tropical evergreen)
- Cold hardiness
- Protect below ~32°F; established trees tolerate brief dips to about 27-29°F. Young tree — give it a sheltered spot for freezes.
- Heat tolerance
- Heat-loving but moisture-dependent; desert summers require heavy mulch, consistent irrigation, and ideally afternoon shade while young.
- Water
- Regular deep watering; keep soil consistently moist, never waterlogged or allowed to fully dry out.
- Soil
- Well-draining, slightly acidic soil; amend alkaline desert soil and watch for iron chlorosis.
- Sun exposure
- Full sun to partial shade; afternoon shade advised in extreme desert heat.
Where to buy
- Orchard Dreams (Plinia aureana 'White Jaboticaba')