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Achacha, Achachairu. Small, prolifically-fruiting tree related to the Mangosteen. The taste is described as both bitter and sweet and is somewhat reminiscent of lemonade. The rather tough, bitter rind can be split open with a knife or with the teeth, and the edible part of the fruit sucked off the seed. The Achacha is in season from December to mid-March.
The small tree with a pyramidal canopy is prolifically-fruiting. It grows in the southern part of the Amazon basin in the central area of Bolivia. Achachas are tangy and refreshing with a delicate subtle sweetness, a fine balance between sweetness and acidity, producing an unusual taste sensation. Fruit should be picked mature as it does not ripen further on storage. In addition to having a great flavor, Achacha fruit has more flesh relative to its weight, when compared to the renowned purple mangosteen. Its rind is also palatable and easily utilized for beverages. The Bolivian name of the fruit is Achachairu and translated means honey kiss in Guarani language. Nutritionally, Achachas are valuable source of vitamin C and folate, as well as potassium, riboflaving and antioxidants.
Easy to grow in south Florida and must have for every tropical fruit lover. Grows well in a container.

Imbe, Lowveld Mangosteen. An evergreen slow growing small tree with interesting branching pattern, oddly shaped growth habit. The fruits are produced in profusion and are edible, having a refreshing acid-sweet flesh. In Mozambique the fruit is used to prepare a pleasant alcoholic beverage.

Vietnamese Gardenia - large fragrant flowers. Easy to grow to compare with other gardenias, not so sensitive to overwatering and the most cold hardy of all tropical gardenias. Flowers are very beautiful unusual shape, extremely fragrant. Perfect for container, very bushy. Can be also planted in the ground. This pretty plant has been called "Gardenia" for long time. However, analysis shows that it is a horticultural form of Kailarsenia.
See article about this plant.

Also called "First Love" (sometimes misspelled as YAshioka), this cultivar is one of the darkest green of all gardenias, it has a 3 to 5 inch bloom so perfect, it looks artificial. It was developed by Tadaoki Yoshioka while he lived in Hawaii, and he later brought it to Florida when he moved to Ft. Lauderdale with his family in 1954. The gardenia was named after his daughter, Aimee (Aimee Hironaka), who died in a plane crash in Dallas on August 2, 1985 (Delta Flight 191). Aimee gardenia grows openly and upright and blooms twice a year and slightly later than others. Flower Size 3 - 5".
See picture of flower,
page about gardenias, their cultivation and varieties.
See picture of actual plant for sale (1-2013).

This unique hybrid is very rare and hard to find. The plant has huge double flowers up to 5-6

Golden Gardenia Kula - very rare tropical gardenia. Medium size slow growing shrub with leathery leaves and fragrant flowers that change color from ivory through yellow to orange.
It is a rare, collectible item!

This is a smaller, compact plant with small flowers which have a yellowish center. It blooms two to three times a year. Used as a pot plant as blooms can be forced. Flower Size 2 - 3

Bolivian Sunset Gloxinia. Excellent houseplant or ground cover. The density of the foliage and flowers makes a spectacular show.

Parrot's Beak. An extraordinary round shrub with pendant branches, large long leaves and exotic flowers comprised of yellow blossoms which emerge at the end of a tube-like structure of overlapping bracts. The flower resembles parrot's beak.

Tropical Barbie Pink. Considered by many to be one of the best guavas for the home garden. This highly productive cultivar produces pear-shaped, yellow skinned guavas with thick, pink flesh. Lower in pectin than other varieties, this variety is superior for eating out-of-hand or processing into juice. In spite of its common name, the tree is cold hardy for a tropical fruit. Very reliable, heavy producer. Will fruit in container.
Ruby Supreme and Barbie Pink guava are very similar, but Barbie pink is much larger and not as dark of a pink color.

See photo of fruiting plant in container.

Costa Rican Guava, Cas Guava. Yellow fruit, 1-3" around, similar to the common guava but often very acidic. Growth habit is similar to the regular cattley guava. The cas guava is sometimes thought to be not as hardy as the tropical guava however mature trees seem capable of withstanding short frosts.
Usually used to make jams, jellies, and preserves, or as a flavoring for drinks. The fruit is very acidic so it is generally not eaten fresh out of hand.

Cattley guava - nice bushy plant. Fast growing, fruits easily on 2nd year, cold hardy, tolerates alkaline and poor soils. These large bushy plants are ready too bloom and fruit. See picture of the plant in 3 gal pot. (size may differ)

This is a very small version of the favorite aromatic Guava - Nana. It grows only up to 5-6 ft tall with a short trunk and branching, bushy habit. Perfect for those who have limited space. It can be grown in a pot and fruits heavily. Providing warm conditions, the tree can bear fruit almost year around. The fruit is round, about 2", pretty good size for a dwarf tree. The flesh is sweet, aromatic, and varies from white to yellow to pink.

Sweet variety of Pineapple Guava from Hawaii. Similar to cattley guava, produces yellow fruit, which are much sweeter than red fruit and have citrusy flavor. Fast growing, fruits easily in container, cold hardy, tolerates alkaline and poor soils.

Tropical Guava Ruby Supreme. Considered by many to be one of the best guavas for the home garden. This highly productive cultivar produces pear-shaped, yellow skinned guavas with thick, pink flesh. Lower in pectin than other varieties, this variety is superior for eating out-of-hand or processing into juice. In spite of its common name, the tree is cold hardy for a tropical fruit. Very reliable, heavy producer. Will fruit in container.
Ruby Supreme and Barbie Pink guava are very similar, but Barbie pink is much larger and not as dark of a pink color.
See photo of fruiting plant in container.

Thai White Guava. It is a large, crunchy guava containing few seeds. Guava is a good tropical fruit tree not fussy on the soil quality, and produces fruit year after year. It is relatively cold hardy. Requires regular watering. Great container plant, will fruit in a pot in small size.

Tikal Guava is an excellent cultivar with large yellow-skinned fruit (about the size of a baseball) and sweet, pink flesh. The tree is very compact and fruits on and off year-round and may begin fruiting at a young age. The more sun and warmth they receive, the more fruit they will produce. Tikal is an early bloomer and it makes a fine subject for containers where it can be easily maintained between 6 - 8 ft tall. This pest-and disease-resistant fruit is a great selection for the beginning fruit gardener.

HoneyMoon - Unique variegated guava with the sweetest fruit we ever tasted. Fruit is medium size, pear-shaped, variegated (white/green striped) outside when unripe, turning bright yellow when ripe. The flesh is pink, very aromatic, sweet and delicious, and contains only a few seeds that separate from pulp easily. This variety is resistant to insects and worms. The fruit is excellent and highly aromatic. Bushy shape, very full tree with large, broad, variegated leaves. Surprisingly for a variegated form, it is very healthy, strong, vigorous and fasts growing. The plant flowers and fruits in small size, perfect for containers. If planted in the ground, the tree grows small to medium size (10-15 ft) with has nice, symmetrical bushy shape. Everbearing, very reliable producer, the plant constantly has fruit, buds or flowers. These are air-layers.

This variety is originated from Ruby supreme and is called 10-30. It is sweet with no or very little tartness and most importantly "worm resistant". The 10-30 ruby supreme guava has a thicker skin, which prohibits the fruit fly from penetrating it and laying it's eggs, which turns into larvae (worms).

Heaven Lotus, Membrillo - very rare tree with large leathery leaves and spectacular large flowers resembling lotus.

Gynura crepioides is commonly known as Okinawa Spinach, it is native to Indonesia. Okinawa Spinach is commercially grown in China as a green, it is not a true spinach. Both the stems and the leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. The top of the leaves are dark green and the undersides are purple. Okinawa Spinach has an unique flavor with a faint hint of pine, and will add a beautiful aesthetic element to cuisine. This green is also known as cholesterol spinach, and there are many claims that it lowers can cholesterol. This plant will thrive in pretty much any type of soil from clay to silt to sandy soils. It does well in any type of light other than full shade, but will grow best in full sun to partial shade. Okinawa Spinach is not a heavy feeder, and is relatively pest-free. It is good to cut back flowering branches to promote new shoot growth, because the shoots and leaves are what are harvested. Okinawan spinach is very adaptable to container gardening and even grows well on a windowsill. The younger leaves will have a much better flavor than the older leaves. The leaves and young shoot tips can be steamed, used in stir fry, tempura, stews, and soups. Just add them at the very end.
See article about this plant: Longevity Spinach Super-food Recipes.
Watch Video about this plant.

Alakaline Herb, Sambung Nyawa, Longevity Spinach. The plant is well known in South East Asia, with folklore uses in Thailand, Indonesia and China, and leaves of the plant are eaten as a vegetable. This is a very low maintenance, fast growing herb/vegetable that can be grown indoor and outdoor. The leaves are picked for salads, soups, or sauteed them to make a dish. They are also be made as tea and extract. The plant is often referred to as Sambung Nyawa which means Continuation of Life. The purpose of this plant is to incorporate it into your diet for a healthy life, as many generations of African and Asians have done traditionally.
See article about this plant: Longevity Spinach Super-food Recipes.
Watch Video about this plant.

Its attractive flowerheads and colored spring foliage make it a popular ornamental tree. This tree has good horticultural potential and is quite attractive as a hedge plant.

Gummy gardenia. Evergreen tree, pale grey bark, veined velvety leaves, strongly scented white flowers, decoction from fruit used for tattooing.