{"id":1788,"date":"2023-12-26T08:34:48","date_gmt":"2023-12-26T00:34:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.org.au\/wp\/?page_id=1788"},"modified":"2024-02-21T19:18:56","modified_gmt":"2024-02-21T11:18:56","slug":"muntingia-calabura","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/fruit-trees\/muntingia-calabura\/","title":{"rendered":"Muntingia calabura"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Muntingia calabura<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Panama <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3148 classtoolTips3148'>berry<\/span>, calabura, capulin<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"alignnormal\"><div id=\"metaslider-id-1976\" style=\"width: 100%;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-109-0 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-1976 ml-slider has-carousel-mode ms-theme-default nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Muntingia calabura\" data-height=\"300\" data-width=\"300\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_1976\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_1976\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-1977 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2023-12-30 16:30:18\" data-filename=\"panama_berry-300x300.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/panama_berry.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/panama_berry-300x300.jpg\" height=\"300\" width=\"300\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-1976 slide-1977 msDefaultImage\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-1978 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2023-12-30 16:30:28\" data-filename=\"panama_berry_fruit-300x300.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/panama_berry_fruit.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/panama_berry_fruit-300x300.jpg\" height=\"300\" width=\"300\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-1976 slide-1978 msDefaultImage\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Origin<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The neotropics, including southern Mexico, Central America and tropical South America to Peru and Bolivia; now distributed pantropically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Climate<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In native areas it\u2019s found up to elevations of 1200m with annual precipitation of about 1000mm. Nevertheless, when mature it has some tolerance to dry seasonal periods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Plant Description<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Capulin is a small fast growing short-lived evergreen pioneer species that is semi-evergreen with dry conditions. It grows to 3-10m with a smooth brown trunk 15-20cm dia and has spreading <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3356 classtoolTips3356'>plagiotropic<\/span> branches, pendent toward the tips. The leaves on 3-7mm <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3348 classtoolTips3348'>petioles<\/span> are <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3216 classtoolTips3216'>distichous<\/span>, simple alternate <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3374 classtoolTips3374'>pubescent<\/span> oblong-<span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3335 classtoolTips3335'>ovate<\/span>, 4-10cm X 1-5cm with <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3406 classtoolTips3406'>serrate<\/span> margins, dark green above and lighter below. Mainline branches become erect after leaf fall &amp; so contribute to the formation of the trunk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Relatives<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is the only species in the genus <em>Muntingia<\/em> in the Muntingiaceae family, formerly Elaeocarpaceae or Flacourtiaceae.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Soils<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tolerant of relatively poor soils under acidic and alkaline conditions but less so of salt and <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3166 classtoolTips3166'>calcareous<\/span> soils. The preferred soil pH is 5.5-6.5.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Propagation<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Propagation is normally by seeds in the wild and under cultivation. They should be free of surrounding inhibitory pulp, achieved either by repeated washing and straining or in the wild by passage through the gut of dispersers. Optimal temperature for germination is 35\u00b0C and as a pioneer species it\u2019s not unexpected that continuous exposure to light increases germination success There is no advantage with <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3459 classtoolTips3459'>vegetative<\/span> propagation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cultivars<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">None established but yellow and white skinned types are known.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Flowering and Pollination<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3242 classtoolTips3242'>Fascicular<\/span> <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3288 classtoolTips3288'>inflorescences<\/span> are supra-<span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3145 classtoolTips3145'>axillary<\/span> (up to half-way along from internodes) consisting of 1-3, sometimes up to 5, <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3269 classtoolTips3269'>hermaphrodite<\/span> self-compatible pentamerous flowers about 2cm in diameter. Pedicels are 1-2cm long, the green <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3405 classtoolTips3405'>sepals<\/span> are <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3296 classtoolTips3296'>lanceolate<\/span>, and petals are white or rarely pink with a wavy margin. There are numerous <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3417 classtoolTips3417'>stamens<\/span> with slender <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3246 classtoolTips3246'>filaments<\/span> and yellow <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3133 classtoolTips3133'>anthers<\/span>; each <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3133 classtoolTips3133'>anther<\/span> contains thousands of <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3361 classtoolTips3361'>pollen<\/span> grains. The superior <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3376 classtoolTips3376'>pyriform<\/span> <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3256 classtoolTips3256'>glabrous<\/span> <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3783 classtoolTips3783'>ovary<\/span> has a thick short <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3428 classtoolTips3428'>style<\/span> and a 5- lobed <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3422 classtoolTips3422'>stigma<\/span> with the <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3323 classtoolTips3323'>nectary<\/span> behind the base of filaments. Two behavioural traits are notable. First, the proportion of stamens varies across flowers within a <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3242 classtoolTips3242'>fascicle<\/span>, with low numbers (20 or less) and a well-developed <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3353 classtoolTips3353'>pistil<\/span> in the first opening flower, and high numbers (100 or more) and a poorly developed pistil in the last opening. Fruit set is higher with early opening flowers, and plants can adjust the male\/female development depending on conditions and resources. Second, flowers open at dawn and only last a day. A series of <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3341 classtoolTips3341'>pedicel<\/span> movements lifts each flower above the plane of the branch just before <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3134 classtoolTips3134'>anthesis<\/span> to assist <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3363 classtoolTips3363'>pollination<\/span>, then the flower is moved to a permanently pendent position within 2 days from <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3250 classtoolTips3250'>fruit set<\/span>, so minimising interference between pollinators and frugivore dispersers. This is thought to have been an evolutionary outcome in native areas where there is continuous flowering and no clear temporal separation of these two vectors. Pollinators are insects, mainly bees. Flowers that don\u2019t set fruit <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3115 classtoolTips3115'>abscise<\/span> over several days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cultivation<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No horticultural work has been done, but as a rapidly growing pioneer species in open disturbed areas it usually needs little care and prefers full sun. It could be expected as a continuously flowering species dependent on growth that management should encourage vegetative development throughout the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Wind Tolerance<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Branches are prone to breakage in strong winds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Pruning<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Regular maintenance pruning will guard against branch breakage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Fruit<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The sub-<span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3258 classtoolTips3258'>globose<\/span> fruit is a berry, 4-12 X 4-10mm, with a smooth pale green skin turning red on ripening. The light brown flesh has a sweet taste with a musky odour and contains thousands of tiny small greyish-yellow seeds. The fruit and associated leaf develop concurrently, with fruit maturing before the leaf abscises. Ripe <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3148 classtoolTips3148'>berries<\/span> contain about 18% carbohydrate and have more vitamin C than oranges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Fruit Production and Harvesting<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3293 classtoolTips3293'>juvenility<\/span> period is only 2-3 yrs. In tropical climates fruit will crop throughout most of year, but it\u2019s likely in our sub-tropical climate that it will exhibit variable seasonal production. Ripening takes 6-8 wks from anthesis and fruit set.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Fruit Uses<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The sweet ripe fruit is usually eaten fresh but can be processed into jams or cooked in tarts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Pests and Diseases<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fruit fly problems have been reported in some regions. Some trees are totally pest free while others are susceptible to attack, a phenomenon not yet studied or understood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Comments<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With its vigorous growth and widespread seed dispersal, Panama berry is regarded as invasive in some countries. Selfcompatibility is a plus, meaning only one plant is needed to obtain fruit. The small fruit size is seen as a disadvantage by many, but the small size of blueberries has not held back their popularity. An advantage for the home grower is that fruit don\u2019t ripen all at once but over an extended period. It could probably be grown very easily in pots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:120px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Muntingia calabura Panama berry, calabura, capulin Origin The neotropics, including southern Mexico, Central America and tropical South America to Peru and Bolivia; now distributed pantropically. Climate In native areas it\u2019s found up to elevations of 1200m with annual precipitation of about 1000mm. Nevertheless, when mature it has some tolerance to dry seasonal periods. Plant Description [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":15,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"iawp_total_views":182,"footnotes":""},"folder":[94],"class_list":["post-1788","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1788","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1788"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1788\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3712,"href":"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1788\/revisions\/3712"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1788"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/folder?post=1788"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}