This rare perennial plant is still relatively uncommon in our region. Its fruits are plum-shaped and light orange in color, offering a pleasant sweet-tart flavor. Known as cifomandra, this plant thrives in warm conditions, which is why it’s typically grown in large pots that are brought indoors during the winter months. When grown from seed, it will bear fruit in its third year, while a rooted cutting can produce fruit by the second year.
For seed germination, the ideal temperature is around 25°C (77°F). Growth halts at 9°C (48°F), and leaves will drop at 4°C (39°F), although the plant can survive winter at that temperature. It cannot survive temperatures below -2°C (28°F).
Cifomandra can produce fruit for seven months of the year, and the harvested fruit has a long shelf life. In open ground, a mature tree can yield up to a thousand fruits annually, while a potted tree grown indoors can produce around 44 pounds (20 kilograms). Only a few enthusiasts grow this uncommon tree now, but many gardeners would do well to try it. After all, it can supply a family with fresh fruit all year round.
