Candle Fruit Plants (Parmentiera Cereifera)

Common Names:

Pale de Cera

American Camburita

Arbol de Vela

Palo de Velas

Botanical Name:

Parmentiera Cereifera

Origin and Description:

Candlestick plants are native to Panama and are found throughout Central and South America.

The Candle Fruit is an elongated and cylindrical fruit that looks like freshly-dipped candles and hangs from the branches.

The fruits develop from white, bell-shaped flowers pollinated by moths and bats, with hundreds of fruits growing on a single mature tree.

Candlestick fruits emit an apple-like aroma and have a mild, sweet, and sour flavor, reminiscent of bell peppers and sugarcane.

They have a waxy appearance and are spongy and edible.

The pale-yellow flesh underneath the surface is fibrous, spongy, and juicy, containing small, edible, flat seeds.

The fruits are a bit juicy and sweet in taste.

Nutritional Content:

Candlestick fruits are a good source of fiber.

They contain flavonoids, which are antioxidants that can boost the immune system and reduce inflammation.

They provide tannins and saponins, which are chemical compounds with antibacterial properties.

Traditional Uses:

In addition to the fruits, the leaves of the tree were used to create a healing tea, which was used for throat and as a tonic for ear infections.

Cultivation Information:

Bloom Time/Fruiting: 5 Years

Maintenance Required: Moderate