Jungle Plum Live Plant (Sideroxylon obtusifolium)

Jungle Plum (Sideroxylon obtusifolium) – Nature’s Sweet Thorn

Botanical Name: Sideroxylon obtusifolium
Common Names: Jungle Plum, Quixaba (Brazil), Pacurero (Paraguay/Argentina), Saranguina

From Thorny Tree to Sweet Reward

A sturdy shrub or small tree, Jungle Plum typically grows between 7–10 m tall—occasionally reaching 20 m in moist forest conditions—with sharp thorns lining its branches . Its dense oval crown, adorned with glossy leaves, transforms into a fruitful spectacle when laden with dark purple-black berries roughly 15 mm wide .

A Flavorful Bite of Nature

The Jungle Plum’s fruit stands out for its exquisite sweetness and succulent pulp. The edible skin enhances rather than distracts from the flavor. Although containing a slight latex note, its smooth, juicy core is beloved by those who taste it fresh from the branch .

Cultural Significance and Traditional Uses

Known locally as “quixaba,” this plant has long served both edible and medicinal roles in Brazilian caatinga communities . The bark and leaves are used as:

• Anti-inflammatory agents, easing pain, swelling, and fevers

• Digestive remedies, combating gastritis, ulcers, diarrhea, and gas

• Treatments for cough, sore throat, and kidney or uterine ailments 

Scientific studies confirm its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties through tests on its ethanolic bark extracts .

Nutritional and Health-Boosting Properties

Though specific nutritional data for Jungle Plum is limited, we can infer from similar fruits like plums that it is likely to offer health benefits such as:

• Antioxidants, helping fight oxidative stress and reduce inflammation 

• Natural laxative effects, supporting healthy digestion and bowel movement 

• Potential for heart and bone health, due to fiber, vitamins, and minerals ****

Combined with its folk medicinal uses, Jungle Plum is both tasty and functional.

Gardening Considerations: Growth & Care

• Climate adaptability: Thrives in seasonally dry tropical regions, from Central Mexico to South America; suited for warm, dry to semi-humid climates 

• Soil preference: Well-drained soils; tolerant of poorer substrates

• Watering: Once established, fairly drought-resistant; young plants benefit from regular moisture

• Sun exposure: Full sun to light shade

• Planting size: Grows 7–10 m tall; plant in gardens with space or train in large containers

• Fruit rewards: Begins fruiting within a few years; harvest small, ripe, soft berries when darkened

This is a moderately low-maintenance plant, well-suited to tropical, subtropical, and semi-arid environments.

Harvest & Use

• Fresh eating: Best enjoyed freshly picked

• Preservation: Can be lightly cooked into jams or sauces, though traditional use is mostly fresh

• Medicinal infusions: Bark and leaves can be brewed into teas or tinctures (use caution, as sap may be latex-rich)

Why Add Jungle Plum to Your Garden?

• Contributes to biodiversity—a rare fruit seldom seen in home gardens

• Delivers health benefits and unique flavor in a natural snack

• Offers ornamental interest and thorny structure, supporting wildlife

• Connects gardeners to the rich cultural heritage of South American folk remedies

Reserved for Enthusiasts: A Veliyath Gardens Special

The Jungle Plum Live Plant is offered in very limited numbers, as demand from collectors and wellness gardeners is growing rapidly. At Veliyath Gardens, we specialize in curating these rare, medicinal, and edible plants while providing educational guidance to nurture them responsibly.

As part of our first-of-its-kind mission, we act as a living encyclopedia—sharing expertise alongside each plant—so fruit lovers and gardeners get not just a plant, but a story.

Invite the hidden sweetness of the Jungle Plum into your garden—reserve a live plant today at Veliyath Gardens, and be part of preserving a botanical treasure.