Jarilla caudata is a rather unspectacular plant and papaya relative with quite extraordinary and highly unusual fruits. An upright or creeping, dry deciduous, herbaceous perennial, native to Mexico and Central America, where it grows in xerophytic scrubland
Jarilla caudata is a rather unspectacular plant and papaya relative with quite extraordinary and highly unusual fruits. An upright or creeping, dry deciduous, herbaceous perennial, native to Mexico and Central America, where it grows in xerophytic scrubland and deciduous forests, at elevations between 1500 and 2000 m.
Similar to Jarilla heterophylla, it produces a succulent tuber that holds green or purplish-green stems branching from the base with oval to lanceolate leaves and whitish flowers with occasional streaks of purple. The flowers are followed by oblong to elliptical fruits that can reach up to 30 cm in length, with long, horn-like projections. They are mottled in lighter and darker shades of green and turn yellow when ripe while the "horns" turn purplish.
The fruits are edible and occasionally found in local markets. Soft fruits are eaten raw while fully mature ones are used to make a refreshing beverage from their juice. According to one old Mexican recipe, Jarilla caudata fruits can also be used to make preserves and they are especially delicious when combined with coconut.
This relative of the papaya will grow well in most warm temperate climates to at least USDA Zone 9 and even survive some drought and cold. It would be an interesting species for hybridization with other papaya relatives.
<h2 class=""><strong>Velvet raisin, wild currant, seeds (Grewia flava)</strong></h2>
<h2><span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong>Price is for a package of 10 seeds.</strong></span></h2>
<div>Grewia flava is a hardy shrub or small tree, 2–4 m tall. The grey bark on the young branches, which is usually covered with thick-growing but quite short hairs, tends to turn dark grey and becomes smooth the older the tree gets; this is also noticeable on the stems. The greyish-green leaves are alternately arranged and are covered in fine hairs and it appears to be a lighter shade of green on the underside of the leaves. The apex (tip of the leaves) is rounded, whereas the margin is serrated. Three conspicuous veins from the leaf base are characteristic of this tree; a 2 mm long leaf stalk is also very noticeable.</div>
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<div>The flowers appear in branched heads from early summer until mid-autumn (October to March) and are about 10–15 mm in diameter.</div>
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<div>The 2-lobed fruit is ± 8 mm in diameter, green, turning reddish-brown when ripe. The sapwood appears to be light and the hardwood is brown, with a fine texture.</div>
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<div>The leaves and fruits are enjoyed by domestic stock, as well as wild animals such as Kudu and Giraffe and a large variety of birds.</div>
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<h3><strong>Uses</strong></h3>
<div>The bark of the brandybush was often used to manufacture rope. The fruits are still used to enhance a kind of brandy or ‘mampoer’. The sweet vitamin C-enriched fruit can be enjoyed on its own as well. Traditionally porridge was prepared from the dried fruit after processing it into flour. The wood is hard and fine-grained and is used for sticks. Earlier hunters, like the San community, used to make their bows and arrows from the branches of this plant.</div>
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<h3><strong>Growing Grewia flava</strong></h3>
<div>This plant will grow best in well-drained soil and in a full sun position. It is quite safe to be planted near paved areas in the domestic garden, seeing that it does not have an aggressive root system. Because of the abundance of flowers, it can be successfully used as a focal point in the garden.</div>
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<div>The plant is quite hardy and can withstand frost. Over-watering should be avoided when the plant is established.</div>
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<div>The best propagation method is by seeds. Select fresh seeds, clean them and dry them in a well-ventilated shady area. Soak the seeds in water for at least 24 hours, the initial water must be hot water. Sow the seeds in seedling trays and cover it about 5 mm deep; use only river sand as the growth medium. Place the trays in a warm sheltered area. Do not let the growing medium dry out. A constant moisture level needs to be maintained for successful germination. The germination of the seeds is usually inconsistent, a success rate of about 50–70 % has been observed. Seedlings can be planted out into containers when they reach the 2-leaf stage.</div>