Description
One of the most extraordinary Plinias we have ever offered
This exceptional Brazilian Myrtaceae is being maintained under the field identification Plinia aff. rara “Amarella”, indicating apparent affinity with the extraordinarily rare Plinia rara group.
Collected in southern Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil, this material produces remarkably large fruits reportedly averaging approximately 7–8 cm.
The fruits are rounded and mature from green toward green-yellow or yellowish tones. According to the Brazilian collector who directly tasted the fruit, the flavor is reminiscent of green apple, with soft pulp and edible skin.
The amount of pulp is reported to be relatively modest. Its extraordinary appeal lies instead in the combination of giant fruit size, unusual green-apple-like flavor, edible skin, small tree habit, extreme rarity, and a remarkable direct observation of very early flowering.
This material should not automatically be treated as identical to our previously offered White Plinia “Sweet Green Apple”. It is being maintained as a separate rare Plinia accession.
For collectors familiar with rare Brazilian Plinias, this is exactly the kind of material that almost never reaches the international seed market.
A remarkable direct flowering observation
One of the most fascinating observations associated with this accession concerns its apparent flowering precocity and extremely compact juvenile growth.
The Brazilian collector directly observed one approximately 4-year-old specimen, only around 25 cm / 10 inches tall, already flowering.
To be absolutely clear: the observed specimen had not yet produced fruit.
Still, seeing flowers on such a tiny, young plant is an extraordinary field observation and raises fascinating questions about the possible flowering tendency and compact growth habit of this accession.
For Plinia collectors, and especially for growers with limited greenhouse or protected growing space, this observation makes the material exceptionally interesting.
This is a direct observation of one specimen. It should not be interpreted as a guaranteed flowering age, final plant size, or fruiting schedule for every seed-grown plant. Genetics and growing conditions may produce substantial variation.
Green-apple-like flavor and edible skin
The flavor was described from direct tasting by the collector as reminiscent of green apple.
The pulp is soft, and the skin is also edible. This is an especially unusual combination in a rare Plinia producing fruits reported to average approximately 7–8 cm.
The pulp quantity is described as relatively modest, so we do not want to present this as an exceptionally high-pulp fruit. Its appeal is different — and, in our opinion, much stranger:
Approximately 7–8 cm fruits
Green to yellowish coloration
Green-apple-like flavor
Edible skin
Small tree habit
Extreme rarity
A directly observed tiny plant already flowering
Together, these characteristics make this a truly exceptional collector accession.
A true collector’s Plinia
Plinia rara and materials considered closely related or morphologically similar have achieved almost legendary status among collectors of jaboticabas and Brazilian Myrtaceae.
This accession is offered conservatively as Plinia aff. rara because its precise final botanical identity has not yet been conclusively resolved.
The abbreviation “aff.” — affinis — indicates affinity with a species.
In practical terms, the material appears related or similar to Plinia rara, but we do not believe in assigning a definitive species name without sufficient botanical evidence.
For serious collectors, this unresolved identity is part of what makes the accession so interesting: it represents a distinct and extremely rare Brazilian Plinia material that is not part of the ordinary commercial seed trade.
Fruit
The fruits are large and rounded, reportedly averaging approximately 7–8 cm.
They are green during development and mature toward green-yellow to yellowish coloration.
The collector describes the flavor as reminiscent of green apple, with soft pulp and edible skin.
The amount of pulp is reported to be relatively modest.
The fruit shown in our photographs represents the actual seed-source material offered in this pre-sale.
Botanical Information
Scientific / field identification: Plinia aff. rara “Amarella”
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Plinia
Origin: Southern Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
Fruit size: Approximately 7–8 cm, according to the collector
Fruit flavor: Green-apple-like
Pulp: Soft; relatively modest quantity
Skin: Edible
Fruit color: Green to green-yellow / yellowish
Tree habit: Small tree, according to the collector
Seed type: Large, recalcitrant seeds
Collector interest: Extremely high
Why this accession is exceptional
Rare Plinia collectors are accustomed to waiting years before even seeing the first signs of reproductive maturity.
For this reason, the collector’s direct observation of an approximately 4-year-old plant, only around 25 cm tall, already flowering is particularly remarkable.
Again, flowering does not mean the plant was already fruiting.
And this observation concerns one directly observed specimen, not a guaranteed growth or flowering pattern for all seedlings.
But the observation raises fascinating possibilities regarding the reproductive behavior and compact juvenile growth of this accession.
Combined with 7–8 cm fruits, green-apple-like flavor, edible skin, and extreme rarity, we consider this one of the top premium Plinia offerings of our August collection.
August Pre-Sale
⚠️ AUGUST PRE-SALE ITEM
This is a pre-sale for exceptionally rare fresh seed material.
Plinia seeds are recalcitrant living seeds and must never be allowed to dry completely. The seeds are maintained under controlled moist conditions prior to shipment.
Orders containing August pre-sale items will be prepared with the corresponding August rare seed batch.
This August Pre-Sale is separate from our July Pre-Sale batch.
Because of the exceptional rarity of this material, future availability cannot be predicted.
Germination & Care
Plant immediately after receiving the seeds.
Use a moist, organic and well-aerated growing medium with excellent drainage.
Keep the medium consistently moist but never permanently waterlogged.
Do not allow the seed to dry.
Warm temperatures and bright indirect light or partial shade are recommended during early development.
Plinia seeds may occasionally begin germinating during storage or transportation.
A seed arriving with an emerging root is alive and should be planted immediately.
Handle emerging roots carefully and avoid unnecessary manipulation.
Important Collector Note
This is not a common jaboticaba cultivar and should not be confused with ordinary commercially distributed Plinia selections.
It should also not automatically be confused with our previously offered White Plinia “Sweet Green Apple”.
We are preserving this accession separately as Plinia aff. rara “Amarella”.
Its final taxonomic identity remains open, but the combination of giant 7–8 cm fruits, green-apple-like flavor, edible skin, small tree habit and the remarkable direct flowering observation makes it a highly significant material for advanced Plinia and Myrtaceae collections.
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