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Synsepalum spp.
miracle fruit
Overview
Synsepalum is a genus of about 30 species of evergreen shrubs and small trees in the sapodilla family (Sapotaceae), native to tropical Africa. Plants range from 6 to 20 feet (1.8-6 m) tall, with leathery, dark green leaves clustered toward the branch tips and a milky latex in the stems typical of the family. Small white flowers form in the leaf axils and give way to fleshy berries that ripen red, purple, or yellow depending on species. The widely grown S. dulcificum, the miracle fruit, bears red berries whose pulp contains the glycoprotein miraculin, which binds to taste receptors and makes sour foods taste sweet for up to an hour. Most species grow in lowland and montane forest understorey on acidic, humus-rich soils and are strictly tropical, with no frost tolerance. Plants are slow-growing and need warm, humid, shaded conditions; the narrow temperature range and slow establishment are the main limits to wider cultivation.
Native Range
Synsepalum is native to tropical Africa, ranging across West and Central Africa from Ghana and Nigeria through the Congo Basin, with some species reaching East Africa.Suggested Uses
Grown as a fruiting shrub in tropical gardens and as a container plant in conservatories and greenhouses elsewhere for the taste-altering berries of S. dulcificum. Some species are planted as understorey shrubs and for their edible fruit in West African gardens.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6' - 20'
Width/Spread5' - 12'
Bloom Information
Flowering can occur in flushes through much of the year in tropical conditions, often twice annually. The small white flowers are followed by berries that ripen over one to two months; cultivated S. dulcificum commonly fruits in spring and autumn.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 3-6 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Synsepalum needs warm, frost-free, humid conditions and grows in part shade to filtered light on moist, acidic, humus-rich soils with a pH of about 4.5 to 5.8. Plants are intolerant of cold below about 40°F (4°C) and of alkaline or salty soils. Steady moisture and high humidity support growth, while drying out causes leaf drop. Growth is slow, and seed-grown plants may take three to four years to fruit. Propagation is from fresh seed, which loses viability quickly, or from cuttings and air layering. In temperate regions plants are grown in containers under glass.Pruning
Pruning is limited to light shaping and the removal of dead or weak stems. Tip pruning of young plants encourages branching and a bushier habit. Container specimens can be cut back to keep them compact after fruiting.Container Growing
Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons