Miracle fruit Synsepalum Dulcificum Daniell.: An edible fruit tree urban gardens

Abdullah N A P., . and Thohirah L A., . and Hassan S. A., . and Chen X. W. Putra Malaysia Univ., . (2010) Miracle fruit Synsepalum Dulcificum Daniell.: An edible fruit tree urban gardens. [Proceedings Paper]

Miracle fruit Synsepalum dulcificum Daniell. from the family Sapotaceae is a tropical evergreen shrub or small tree growing 25m tall. The plant is indigenous to tropical West Africa and can be found growing in wide range of soil types. It is a hardy plant that tolerates :full sun partial shade and drought. Synsepalum dulcificum has simple leaves 3 - 5 obovate to ohovate-oblanceolate leaves growing alternately and clustered at branch tips. The leaves are 5 - 10 em long 2 - 3.7 em wide and have very short petioles. Miracle fruit tree produces small creamy white complete flowers throughout the year measuring 0.5 cm on the axillary buds. The flowers are fragrant and produce coco butter like smell. The tree produces small ellipsoid berries around 2 to 3 cm long. The fruit has a thin layer of edible pulp surrounding a single seed. The pulp contains miraculin a glycoprotein which exhibits the taste-modifying activity that makes every sour or acidic food eaten or drunk to taste very sweet. The seed is large and is elongateovoid in shape. The seed coat is hard and smooth with dark brown to black colour. The moderate growth rate and free branching characteristic of this plant make it a potential ornamental shrub hedges or potted plant for urban planting. Besides that the miracle fruit plant can also be trained into a bonsai or topiary. Synsepalum dulcificum has red to orange colour young leaves which adds to the aesthetic value of the plant. The miracle berries turn bright red when ripen and makes the tree a stunning and attractive ornamental plant. The plant also attracts birds to feed on its berries. Most of the miracle fruit plants are propagated through seeds. Matured and fresh seeds germinate within 10 days after sowing and 90 germination can be obtained under ambient temperature of 36 C to 40 0c. Large scale productions of miracle fruit face some restrictions as the seeds are recalcitrant and propagation by cuttings is difficult to root. Seed grown plants will only begin to bear fruits 3 to 4 years after planting. Propagation through stem cuttings has been investigated to produce early fruiting planting materials.

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Abstract

Miracle fruit Synsepalum dulcificum Daniell. from the family Sapotaceae is a tropical evergreen shrub or small tree growing 25m tall. The plant is indigenous to tropical West Africa and can be found growing in wide range of soil types. It is a hardy plant that tolerates :full sun partial shade and drought. Synsepalum dulcificum has simple leaves 3 - 5 obovate to ohovate-oblanceolate leaves growing alternately and clustered at branch tips. The leaves are 5 - 10 em long 2 - 3.7 em wide and have very short petioles. Miracle fruit tree produces small creamy white complete flowers throughout the year measuring 0.5 cm on the axillary buds. The flowers are fragrant and produce coco butter like smell. The tree produces small ellipsoid berries around 2 to 3 cm long. The fruit has a thin layer of edible pulp surrounding a single seed. The pulp contains miraculin a glycoprotein which exhibits the taste-modifying activity that makes every sour or acidic food eaten or drunk to taste very sweet. The seed is large and is elongateovoid in shape. The seed coat is hard and smooth with dark brown to black colour. The moderate growth rate and free branching characteristic of this plant make it a potential ornamental shrub hedges or potted plant for urban planting. Besides that the miracle fruit plant can also be trained into a bonsai or topiary. Synsepalum dulcificum has red to orange colour young leaves which adds to the aesthetic value of the plant. The miracle berries turn bright red when ripen and makes the tree a stunning and attractive ornamental plant. The plant also attracts birds to feed on its berries. Most of the miracle fruit plants are propagated through seeds. Matured and fresh seeds germinate within 10 days after sowing and 90 germination can be obtained under ambient temperature of 36 C to 40 0c. Large scale productions of miracle fruit face some restrictions as the seeds are recalcitrant and propagation by cuttings is difficult to root. Seed grown plants will only begin to bear fruits 3 to 4 years after planting. Propagation through stem cuttings has been investigated to produce early fruiting planting materials.

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Item Type:	Proceedings Paper
Additional Information:	2 tables; 4 ill. 9 ref.
AGROVOC Term:	Sapotaceae
AGROVOC Term:	Urban gardens
AGROVOC Term:	Plant propagation
AGROVOC Term:	Ornamental trees
Geographical Term:	MALAYSIA
Depositing User:	Ms. Suzila Mohamad Kasim
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 05:14
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/11509

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