Description
Genipa Clusiifolia (Seven Year Apple), is a small tree or medium-sized shrub. Which can reach a height of about 16 feet. It has a rounded, low-growing, crown of dense foliage. The bark is gray and smooth in texture. Leaves are opposite, simple, entire, clustered near the branch ends, leathery, obovate and 3 to 5 by 1.5 to 2.5 inches.
Moreover, Flowers are borne in dense clusters, are tubular and sweetly fragrant; female blooms have 5 to 6 pointed lobes, tinged with pink on the tips and about three quarters of an inch across. Flowers attract hummingbirds. Fruit is a fleshly egg-shaped berry 3 inches by 2 inches. Green in color turning yellow then dark brown to black before it falls. Fruit ripening is slow, taking about 10 months, but not 7 years! Fruits edible but not very tasty. However, it is eaten by birds and iguanas: it’s seeds are used for propagation. Additionally, the fruit pulp is used in traditional medicine, as well as a source for black dye. The wood is used to make handicrafts.
Genipa Clusiifolia (Seven Year Apple) tree grows well in sandy limestone soils with good drainage and is described as hardy. As a continuously flowering and fruiting plant with attractive foliage, it can be pruned into a small tree or hedge. Making it ideal for seaside locations. It can be grown as a specimen or accent plant in garden, park or patio. As well as in a xerophytic or native plant garden. Seven year apple is related to the Genipapo (Genipa Americana) in South America (a popular local fruit).
