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Why Rosita de Cacao is called the Funeral Tree? For how long does its fragrance last?

Funeral Tree - Quararibea funebris (Rosita de Cacao, Flor de Cacao) - Flower

Funeral Tree - Quararibea funebris (Rosita de Cacao, Flor de Cacao) - Flower

Funeral Tree - Quararibea funebris (Rosita de Cacao, Flor de Cacao) - tree

Funeral Tree - Quararibea funebris (Rosita de Cacao, Flor de Cacao) - tree

🧛 Why Rosita de Cacao is called the Funeral Tree? For how long does its fragrance last?
  • 😇 The Legendary Funeral Tree - Quararibea funebris (also called Rosita de Cacao, Flor de Cacao) got its name from the flower's extraordinary ability to retain its spicy, sweet fragrance for centuries.
  • 😇 These flowers were used in ancient funeral ceremonies, placed in crypts to preserve their aroma for generations. Even today, dried Rosita de Cacao flowers can hold their scent for decades, a testament to their remarkable endurance.


    • History and Legends

    Aztec names: Poyomatli, Xochicacaohuatl, Flor Cacahuaxochitl, Cacaoxochitl.
  • 😇 The species was at one time widespread and growing wild throughout the Oaxaca region of Mexico known for plants used in Shamanism.
  • 😇 Cherished by the Aztecs, the Rosita de Cacao was deeply intertwined with their rituals and daily life.
  • 😇 The flowers, known as Cacaoxochitl or "cacao flower," were blended with chocolate drinks like Tejate, a sacred, energy-rich beverage reserved for royalty and religious ceremonies. This frothy drink combined Cacaoxochitl with other ingredients like cacao, vanilla, and chili peppers to create what the Aztecs called the "drink of the gods."
  • 😇 Legend has it that Emperor Montezuma consumed up to 50 cups of xocolatl daily, infused with Rosita de Cacao, to fuel his energy and passion.


    • Medicinal and Spiritual Uses
  • 😇 The flowers of this tree were not just for flavor - they were also prized for their calming and medicinal properties. Natives used them to treat anxiety, fevers, and coughs, often mixing them with cacao for enhanced effects.
  • 😇 Modern studies suggest the flowers contain lactone alkaloids like funebradiol, which are known for their relaxing properties and are now being investigated for potential medicinal applications.
  • 😇 Beyond its rich history, Rosita de Cacao is an evergreen beauty with creamy white, aromatic flowers and large, leathery leaves. It's a perfect addition to any garden for those who want a piece of history, an enduring fragrance, and a touch of ancient legend.


📚 Learn more from previous posts:
Fruit of Money and Love
Fun Facts: Cacao beans

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Ten best fruit trees to grow in Florida and Southern landscapes

Papaya fruit (Carica papaya)

Papaya fruit (Carica papaya)

🏆 Ten best fruit trees to grow in Florida and Southern landscapes.
# 7: Papaya Tree.
  • 🍊 Papaya Trees (Carica papaya) - are resilient, easy to grow, and deliver year-round fruit.
  • 🍊 Superfood Benefits: Rich in papain, a digestive enzyme that promotes gut health.
  • 🍊 Fast Fruiting: Papayas often start producing the same year they're planted, offering quick rewards for gardeners seeking quick rewards.
  • 🍊 Space-Efficient: Many varieties, especially dwarfs, reach only 6-8 feet tall yet produce large crops, ideal for small gardens.
  • 🍊 Cold and Wind Resistant: Papayas can withstand light freezes and strong winds, making them surprisingly hardy for a tropical plant.
  • 🍊 Self-Fertile, but Better with Multiple Trees: Planting 2-3 different cultivars ensures better pollination and higher yields.
  • 🍊 Solo Cultivars: Smaller, round or oval papayas are sweet and less susceptible to fruit flies.


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Ten best fruit trees to grow in Florida and Southern landscapes

Macadamia Nuts (Macadamia integrifolia)

Macadamia Nuts (Macadamia integrifolia)

🏆 Ten best fruit trees to grow in Florida and Southern landscapes.
# 6: Macadamia Nut Tree.
  • 🌰 Macadamia Nuts (Macadamia integrifolia) are known for their delicious flavor and high price tag, but you can grow these popular, sweet nuts right in your own garden!
  • 🌰 Cold-Hardy and Productive. Macadamia trees are fairly cold-hardy, grow quickly, and thrive in all Florida soils. They are very productive and can tolerate both flooding and drought once established. Older trees can survive cold winters with minimal dieback, while young trees need protection from temperatures below 25-26F.
  • 🌰 Water and Soil Tolerance. Macadamia trees need plenty of water and can handle some flooding, but they are also drought-tolerant once mature. They adapt well to all Florida soil types.
  • 🌰 Fertilizer Needs. Macadamia trees require a special fertilizer program for healthy root development and optimal production. Use only liquid fertilizer such as Sunshine C-Cibus and apply microelements regularly, such as Sunshine SuperFood, to prevent nutrient deficiencies that can stunt growth.
  • 🌰 #Fun_Facts:

⏺Did you know the Macadamia nut is the hardest-shelled nut in the world - and also one of the most nutrient-rich? The shell material is five times harder than hazelnut shells, with mechanical properties similar to aluminum!
  • ⏺Despite being rich in calories, macadamia nuts may help you lose weight. This may be partly explained by their amounts of protein and fiber, two nutrients known to reduce hunger and promote feelings of fullness.
  • ⏺Macadamia nuts are rich in healthy fats, vitamins, and mineral. They're linked to numerous health benefits, including improved digestion, heart health, weight management, and blood sugar control. High in monounsaturated fats, they may help lower bad cholesterol levels and reduce heart disease risk. These nuts are also a good source of antioxidants, including tocotrienols, which may protect against cancer and brain diseases.


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🛒 Plant your own Macadamia Nut Tree

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Ten best fruit trees to grow in Florida and Southern landscapes

Noni Tree (Morinda citrifolia) - flowers

Noni Tree (Morinda citrifolia) - flowers

Noni Tree (Morinda citrifolia) - fruit and leaves

Noni Tree (Morinda citrifolia) - fruit and leaves

🏆 Ten best fruit trees to grow in Florida and Southern landscapes.
# 5: Noni.
  • 🥝 A Superfood for Your Garden. Noni Tree (Morinda citrifolia) - is one of the top superfood plants, making it a fantastic addition to any Southern garden.
  • 🥝 Endless Medicinal Benefits. Noni fruit boasts numerous medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory effects, relief from arthritis, support for diabetes, metabolism, immune system, and weight loss. It's even thought to help fight cancer. Commercial Noni juice is very expensive, but growing your own tree provides easy access to this powerful natural remedy.
  • 🥝 Fast-Growing and Productive. The Noni tree grows quickly and begins producing within 2 years from seed.
  • 🥝 Tough and Resilient. Noni is a tough plant, thriving in poor soil, enduring summer heat, and withstanding drought conditions.
  • 🥝 Cold Hardy. Despite its large tropical leaves and a reputation of a tropical species, Noni trees are surprisingly cold-hardy. While they may experience some leaf damage during cooler weather, they typically recover well when warmer temperatures return.
  • 🥝 Ornamental and Practical. In addition to its fruit, the Noni tree has great ornamental value. The large, waxy leaves are over a foot long and give a tropical feel, while the fruit itself is unique and ornamental: its flower appears to grow directly on the fruit!


📚 Learn more from previous posts:

🛒 Plant a Noni Tree

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Ten best fruit trees to grow in Florida and Southern landscapes

Malpighia glabra - Barbados Cherry, Acerola

Malpighia glabra - Barbados Cherry, Acerola

🏆 Ten best fruit trees to grow in Florida and Southern landscapes.
# 4: Barbados Cherry.
  • 🍒 Malpighia glabra - Barbados Cherry, or Acerola is yet another tropical cherry!
  • 🍒 A Vitamin C Powerhouse. Barbados Cherry is renowned for having the highest vitamin C content of any fruit. It is used in jellies and jams and freezes well without losing its vitamin C.
  • 🍒 Fast-Growing and Abundant. This dense shrub grows quickly and fruits several times a year, providing abundant crops. If you want fast results and fruit quickly, this is the plant for you!
  • 🍒 Easy to Grow and Tolerant. It tolerates alkaline soil, which is rare for tropical plants. It is also drought-tolerant, easy to grow, and relatively cold-hardy, with the ability to withstand light freezes.
  • 🍒 Wildlife-Friendly. Birds love the fruit, making it a great addition to any wildlife-friendly garden.
  • 🍒 Dwarf Variety: Nana. The dwarf Nana variety has tiny leaves and smaller fruit, making it highly ornamental. It's perfect for containers, as a border plant, or even as a bonsai.


📚 Learn more from previous posts:

🛒 Shop Barbador Cherry

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Ten best fruit trees to grow in Florida and Southern landscapes

Cherry of the Rio Grande (Eugenia aggregata)

Cherry of the Rio Grande (Eugenia aggregata)

Grumichama (Eugenia brazilensis)

Grumichama (Eugenia brazilensis)

Pitomba (Eugenia luschnathiana)

Pitomba (Eugenia luschnathiana)

Black Surinam Cherry (Eugenia uniflora var. Lolita)

Black Surinam Cherry (Eugenia uniflora var. Lolita)

🏆 Ten best fruit trees to grow in Florida and Southern landscapes.
# 3: Tropical Cherries: Eugenias.
  • 🍒 The most popular and easy-to-grow tropical cherries include Cherry of the Rio Grande (Eugenia aggregata), Grumichama (Eugenia brazilensis), Pitomba (Eugenia luschnathiana), and Black Surinam Cherry (Eugenia uniflora var. Lolita). They are all-time favorites!
  • 🍒 Growth and Versatility: Eugenias are fast-growing, compact, and versatile, thriving both in the ground and in containers.
  • 🍒 Early Fruit Production: These bushy shrubs or small trees begin producing fruit right away.
  • 🍒 Low Maintenance: They're not particular about soil, need minimal water, are pest-free, and thrive in both full sun and partial shade. Eugenias are highly heat-tolerant and can withstand cool winters, even surviving a light freeze.
  • 🍒 Fruit for All: Birds love the fruit, but don't worry - there will be plenty to go around.


📚 Learn more from previous posts:

🛒 Shop Eugenias - Tropical Cherries

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Ten best fruit trees to grow in Florida and Southern landscapes

Avocado (Persea americana) fruit

Avocado (Persea americana) fruit

🏆 Ten best fruit trees to grow in Florida and Southern landscapes.
# 2: Avocado Tree.
  • 🥑 Avocado (Persea americana) is a must-have in any tropical or subtropical garden, along with the mango. It’s a favorite fruit known for its health benefits and superfood status.
  • 🥑 Cold Hardy: Some varieties can survive temperatures below 25F, making it more cold-tolerant than mango trees.
  • 🥑 Beautiful and Productive: Aside from the fruit, it's a lovely ornamental tree.
  • 🥑 Grafted Varieties for Quality Fruit: Many plant enthusiasts enjoy growing Avocado from seed. Keep in mind that only grafted trees guarantee quality fruit and production right away, while seedlings take 7-8 years.
  • 🥑 Growing Secrets: The avocado tree can be a bit tricky to establish. The two main secrets to successful growth are:

    • a) Good drainage
    b) Regular watering
    Avocados don’t like to dry out, but they also can’t tolerate wet feet. To ensure proper drainage, plant the tree on a raised mound (4-6 inches) and keep the soil consistently moist.
  • 🥑 Compact Varieties Available: There are several compact varieties ideal for container culture, small spaces, and patios. Dwarf "Condo" varieties like Wurtz and Fuerte are perfect for containers, while semi-dwarf options such as Russell, Lila, Mexicola, Poncho, and Yamagata also perform well in smaller gardens.


📚 Learn more from previous posts:

🛒 Shop Avocado varieties

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Ten best fruit trees to grow in Florida and Southern landscapes

Mango Keitt (Mangifera indica)

Mango Keitt (Mangifera indica)

🏆 Ten best fruit trees to grow in Florida and Southern landscapes.
# 1: Mango Tree.
  • 🥭 Mango trees (Mangifera indica) are a Florida garden essential, and if you own one, you're truly embracing the Sunshine State's spirit!
  • 🥭 Delicious, Nutritious Fruit: Known as the "King of Fruits," packed with vitamins and fiber.
  • 🥭 Fast-Growing & Low-Maintenance: Thrives with minimal water once established, and is heat-tolerant.
  • 🥭 Quick Fruit Production: Grafted trees produce right away and you can expect large crops in just 2-3 years.
  • 🥭 Cold Protection: Young trees need protection from frost, but mature trees handle cold better.
  • 🥭 Compact Varieties Available: Dwarf "condo" mangoes are perfect for containers and smaller spaces.
  • 🥭 Grafted Varieties for the Best Taste: When selecting a mango tree, be sure to choose a grafted variety for an immediate payoff of high-quality, fiberless fruit. Grafted trees will produce sweet and flavorful mangos right away, unlike seedling trees, which can take up to 7-8 years to bear fruit. Grafted mangoes are known for their rich taste, which you can find only in home gardens. Commercially grown mangos, while more durable for shipping, tend to be fibrous and less flavorful. Opting for a grafted variety ensures that you enjoy the full, vibrant sweetness of mangoes.


📚 Learn more from previous posts:
  • 🟡about #Mango trees
  • 🟡10 best fruit trees to grow in Florida and Southern landscapes


🛒 Shop Mango varieties

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Discover 10 best fruit trees to grow in Florida and Southern landscapes

Tropical fruit collage

Tropical fruit collage

🏆 Discover 10 best fruit trees to grow in Florida and Southern landscapes
  1. Mango (Mangifera indoca)
  2. Avocado (Persea americana)
  3. Tropical Cherries (Eugenia sp.)
  4. Barbados Cherry (Malpighia glabra)
  5. Noni (Morinda citrifolia)
  6. Macadamia Nut (Macadamia integrifolia)
  7. Papaya (Carica papaya)
  8. Guava (Psidium sp.): Cattley and Tropical guava
  9. Jackfruit (Artocarus heterophyllus)
  10. Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica)


    11. Stay with us to learn more about these trees in the following posts and make sure to subscribe! ⬇️

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What is the best fruit tree producing in winter

Loquat flowers

😇 What is the best fruit tree producing in winter
  • 🍑 If you answered the quiz What makes loquats different from other fruits - then you know that Loquat trees flower and produce fruit during the winter months, making them a rare source of fresh fruit when most other trees are dormant.
  • 🍑 Loquat flowers are very pretty! Loquats are relatives of Apples, Peaches, Plums and Pears - they belong to Rosaceae family.


🎥 Loquats are in full bloom in our garden now. The fruit will ripen by April

📚 More about Loquat from previous posts:

🛒 Plant a Loquat Tree

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