SAGERETIA ELEGANS

FAMILY OF RHAMINACEAE

STORY: This species was discovered during an expedition in late 2009 for the first time, looked like at first glance, the other climbing plants like the Gurrupiá (Celtis iguanea) and Salta Martim (Strychnus brasiliensis), which have the same habitat as climbing plants. Through the analysis of the leaves could be concluded that it might be a species of the genus Ziziphus. It was still necessary to find flowers and fruit in February 2011. During this time I thought it might be. Around a species of the genus Duranta (Verbenaceae) for flowers at the head (inflorescence, which ends with a flower on top) But I was wrong, and a specialist in the family Verbenaceae analyzed the material and confirmed that it is not a commercially Verbenacea and the flowers do not have the form of lips. By studying the characteristics of the plant that I again noticed that the leaves have the same functions and veins of the leaves of Ziziphus hovenia and the flowers have sepals fused into a single structure and each have 5 lobes and 5 stamens. To me it was also noticed that the seeds are heart-shaped and flattened and the seeds of Scutia buxifolia very similar. It was only in December 2012, I was able to determine the exact nature that it was Sageretia elegans, and I am very happy that my discovery is the first record of this species for Brazil! Look at the pictures below.

NOMEMCLATURE AND SIGNIFIANCE: CAMBUÍTÍ CIPO comes from the Tupi-Guarani and means "vine of the fine shoots - is thorny." Also referred to as Cambuí Cipó de espinho, groselha de espinho and Juazinho de Cipó.

ORIGIN: Very rare plant found in semi-evergreen forest in the region Angatuba is found in higher altitudes between 600 and 700 m above sea level, at the water sources or even to the streams The species has not been found in Brazil, only far outside it occurs in other South and Central American countries, see the links below:    http://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20m?kind=Sageretia+elegans e http://fm1.fieldmuseum.org/vrrc/?PHPSESSID=444f586a798a9b41b0d69635c94a5e48&page=results&rpno=1&family=RHAMNACEAE&genus=Sageretia&species=&intPerPage=25

NOTES: Currently we have 2 plants in the culture at Frutas Raras. Plants of this rare and delicious fruit are available from us.

Features: Climbing plant species with scandent tendrils that grow by pairs of thorns on the trees. It forms dense clumps with scandent branches that are intertwined. The trunk is dark brown and cracked (like cut vertically) with isolated, parallel spines at the tips of leaf shoots are. The leaves are simple, alternate, and membranous with wavy edges and young are hairy and rough. The leaf blade is fixed beneath the stem and channels, the stem measures 3 to 5 mm in length, the leaf is from 2.6 to 4.8 cm long and 2 to 3.7 cm wide, the base is truncated or rounded and the top is truncated. On the body of the leaf are 3 ribs show a characteristic of the family Rhaminadae. The sepals of the flowers are fused into a single structure and the flowers are organized on the basis of 5, with 5 lobes and 5 stamens and appear in clusters, which end with a flower on top that measure 5 to 20 cm in length. The berries measure 6 to 14 mm in diameter and with liquid blue-violet pulp, which are 2 to 4 seeds per fruit flat and heart-shaped and measure 2 to 4 mm in length.

Culture tips: The plant takes frosts to -3°C, can take drought periods. It can be mounted at any height position in full sun or shady environments. The soil should be deep, moist, sandy or loamy with its structure (red soil), pH between 5.5 and 6.2, and rich in organic matter. Can be mounted on wire fences or pergolas with four or six poles or piles with 2.20 m in length at a distance of 2 meters wide and 2.50 meters between the rows. The holes should be 60 cm deep, so that 1.60 m of the piles protrude. Between the piles sieve tension wires, to which the screws are secured. Bamboo can also be used for the plant.

Propagation: The seeds are heart-shaped and can keep to 90 days after the removal of the pulp their ability to germinate when they are stored dry and shady. They germinate in 40 to 60 days, if they are planted in well-mixed substrate of 30% red clay, 20% sand and 50% organic matter. The seedlings reach 30 cm with 8 to 10 months in the nursery. The fruit begins 2 to 3 years after planting.

Planting: The holes should measure 50 cm in three dimensions and are filled with 6 shovel manure, well mixed with composted leaves, 1 kg of ash and 500 g of lime. At intervals of 4 x 4 m can be planted. After planting pour with 10 liters of water, then every 15 days in the first 3 months with the same amount, then only if it is lacking of water in the flower time. The best planting time is from November to December.

Culture: The growth of shoots should be observed and the shoots on the wires should be attached, to catch by nature itself. Every 3 years, it is good to make a vigorous pruning. Each spring fertilize with organic compost, it can be 3 kg organic compost well mixed with 30 g of NPK 10-10-10 distributed mainly at the base of the plant in the distance of 30 cm from the trunk.

Use: They will fruit from January to March. The fruits are small, but very rich in antioxidants. They can be eaten raw because of the delicate taste of acerola with gooseberry. They can also be used for juice and delicate cream. From young leaves of tea can be made similar to green tea. The plant is rare and must be cultivated and maintained..

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