I have always loved this tree. I remember visiting someone as a child, with my mother and there was this beautiful tree growing in the middle of a well kept green, green lawn. Before anyone could stop me I was under the tree plucking and eating. Then I heard my Mom shouting probably out of embarrassment over such an impolite child. The kind man who owned the tree said, "It is alright! The fruits can be eaten, they are very delicious!"
And today my neighbor has my dream tree growing by our fence. Half of it cascades over to form a shady canopy. Over here we just call it very simply the cherry tree. This native of Mexico/Central America/tropical South America/Trinidad/St. Vincent/Greater Antilles (must google that) are known by many other names. Jamaica cherry, Strawberry Tree, Japanese or Chinese Cherry, Jam fruit to name a few. The proper name is Muntingia calabura L. I myself have planted two little trees inspite of all the horror stories about their invasive roots and bats coming to feast on the fruits. Bats are cute anyway, their faces look like doggies. Looking forward to the day when I can sit under the shade of my cherry trees.
No comments:
Post a Comment