ritzsrh
Just Arrived
Joined: 14 Sep 2007
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 2:02 am Post subject: Tree with red/yellow fruit (?) and black seeds (?) |
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Hello,
I need help ID'ing a tree in my backyard. We recently purchased a new house and came across a tree with weird looking fruit like "things" on it. The fruit-like objects are red/yellow. Appears that the fruit-like thing gets more red as it ripens. Then, they open or bloom to expose two grape sized black "things". They almost look like eyeballs dangeling from the bloomed fruit. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
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toni
Mistress of Garden Junque
 Forum Moderator
PlantStew Moderator
Regular Plantstew Contributor (over 1000 edits)
Joined: 07 Jan 2006
Location: North Texas (Map)
Posts: 7563
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| Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 2:08 am Post subject: |
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Hi, first welcome to GardenStew.
Is there any way you can post a picture of this tree, fruit and seeds. It really is difficult to ID it from a description since there are many trees that could describe. Looking forward to pictures so we can help you determine what it is and proper care needed to keep it healthy.
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ritzsrh
Just Arrived
Joined: 14 Sep 2007
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 2:52 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the warm welcome! Sure thing, i'll post a picture tommorow when I get home from work. Look forward to the help! Thanks for the reply!
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glendann
Official Garden Angel
Joined: 19 May 2006
Location: Texas (Map)
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| Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 5:02 am Post subject: |
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Welcome to the Stew from central Texas.I can't wait to see the fruit.
_________________
'Life is not measured by the breaths we take,
but by the moments that take our breath away.'
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ritzsrh
Just Arrived
Joined: 14 Sep 2007
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 10:00 pm Post subject: |
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Hey guys, here are the pics! Hope they help! Thanks again!
 [/img]
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zuzu's petals
Silly Old Bat
Joined: 19 Oct 2006
Location: Coastal N.Carolina ~zone 8~ (Map)
Posts: 2568
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| Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 12:51 am Post subject: |
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Ah  you must be living in a tropical part of the world,
these are fairly commonly seen in the southern-most parts of Florida.
It is Blighia sapida (aka- Cupania sapida)
commonly called "Akee Fruit".
More photos here.
Quite an attractive tree, I think -- BUT --
 It is important to note that the fruit is considered toxic until it has opened.
I would recommend against eating them at all, 
but some cultures do use them as a food product.
Click here for more info. including the following:
| Purdue Horticultural site wrote: | Food Uses:
The akee must be allowed to open fully, or at least partly,
before it is detached from the tree. When it has "yawned",
the seeds are discarded and the arils, while still fresh and firm,
are best parboiled in salted water or milk and then
lightly fried in butter. Then they are really delicious.
In Jamaica, they are often cooked with codfish, onions and tomatoes.
After parboiling, they are added to a stew of beef, salt-pork and scallions, thyme and other seasonings.
Sometimes they are curried and eaten with rice.
They are served, not only in the home, but also in hotel dining rooms and other restaurants.
In Africa, they may be eaten raw or in soup,
or after frying in oil. |
By the way,  welcome to the stew, it's great to have you with us.
_________________
 ~*~ zuzu ~*~
I put a lot of myself into my garden.
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glendann
Official Garden Angel
Joined: 19 May 2006
Location: Texas (Map)
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| Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 2:23 am Post subject: |
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That is a very odd fruit.I would love a tree like that Oh those eyes 
_________________
'Life is not measured by the breaths we take,
but by the moments that take our breath away.'
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ritzsrh
Just Arrived
Joined: 14 Sep 2007
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 2:48 pm Post subject: |
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Ahhh! Thanks for the information! Yes, it is a very odd fruit indeed. Question. I have two dogs that love the backyard. Do you think the fruit poses any danger to them? I'd hate to cut the tree down but if my pups aren't safe... ya gotta do what ya gotta do.
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zuzu's petals
Silly Old Bat
Joined: 19 Oct 2006
Location: Coastal N.Carolina ~zone 8~ (Map)
Posts: 2568
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| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 5:02 pm Post subject: |
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Blighia (named for the (in)famous Capt. Bligh of the ship "Bounty", BTW)
is a member of the Sapindaceae or soapberry family.
The green fruits will actually produce a lather,
and are used for washing laundry by some indigenous peoples in W. Africa.
Most animals find the soapy flavor unpalatable
and leave the fruits alone after investigating them.
I've known many folks with pets to grow these trees
and never heard tell of a problem.
But, that said,
it would surely be wise to keep any fallen fruits cleared away
from where a pup with a taste for soap might get ahold of one.
The toxin can cause diarrhea, and even affect the nervous system.
I've read that a mash made of Akee fruits is used to stun fish by some tribal fishermen.
_________________
~*~ zuzu ~*~
I put a lot of myself into my garden.
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