Wholesale Strawberry Trees
The Strawberry Tree is Muntingia calabura and although it is not widely grown in Australia it is an interesting species. Also known as the Jamaican Cherry, and sometimes the Panama Berry, the fruit is eaten fresh, although is can be used in preserves and jams.
This a tree that will only grow well in the tropics to sub tropics. It will not not tolerate frost and will not survive cold wet winters.
The name Strawberry tree refers more to the shape and colour of the fruit than the taste. The small red fruit have more of a caramel taste. Fruit forms on this evergreen tree after the small star shaped white flowers.
Although Muntingia calabura will reach up to 8m in height in good conditions, it is usually a smaller tree than this. Its natural growth habit is as a spreading tree and it is found in Mexico through to South America. It is now grow commercially in South East Asia
Pruning and Home Growing the Strawberry Tree
It also takes well to pruning so can be kept at a size that will allow it to be grown in home gardens. Container growing is difficult however possible for the enthusiast.
