Campomanesia laurifolia
Campomanesia laurifolia
Campomanesia laurifolia is a unique plant species in the Campomanesia family. This species is unique in that it has big fruits with a thick exocarp giving way to sweet tangy pulp. Most campomanesia fruits aren’t this large and they usually don’t have much flesh. These have a decent amount of flesh and are pretty ornamental with their large fruits! The fruit itself is tangy and sweet but not particularly complex. The trees can get pretty large in their native range or tropical locations but seem to be slowed by less ideal climates, forming large tall Christmas tree-esque shaped trees but with glorious fragrant flowers. There’s more to be learned about this species but it seems like a keeper round here!
Family: Myrtaceae
Name: Campomanesia laurifolia
Common Name / Native Name:
Range: Atlantic Forest Habitats in Rio de Janiero
Sun: Full sun/part shade
Height: 15+ feet
Width: 10+ feet
Foliage: Beautiful large ovate foliage with deep veination
Flower: Decent sized white flowers in small clusters, fragrant and very attractive
Fruit: A little smaller than a baseball, yellow and filled with a sweet and mild pulp
Soil Type/ pH: Tolerates higher pH soils
USDA Climate Zones: 9b+
Cold Hardiness: Undetermined but has experienced brief periods of frosts
Edibility: A unique Campomanesia bearing a large fruit with a substantial amount of pulp. The fruits are tangy and slightly sewet, not too complex but an enjoyable fruit to eat.
Age to maturity: 4+ years
Sources:
Wikipedia, Wildlands Farm and Nursery