Ambarella Fruit

Ambarella Fruit, originally uploaded by vicequeenmaria.

Black Sapote

Black Sapote, originally uploaded by vicequeenmaria.

Black Sapote is currently in season. You can buy it at Fairchild's weekend market.

A member of the persimon family the black sapote is native along both coasts of Mexico from Jalisco to Chiapas, Veracruz and Yucatan. Outside of Mexico, it is cultivated in the Philippines and the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Hawaii and of course Florida....

The black sapote fruit is rounded and flattened like a green tomato. The flesh is dark brown or black and is rich and has a sweet flavor. Many people compare it with chocolate pudding.

Learn more about black sapote the virtual herbarium.

Ay Caramba!

Ay Caramba!, originally uploaded by vicequeenmaria.

Do you remember the carambola (starfruit) espalier I've been tending for several weeks? Well guess what? Yesterday, I was looking for the flowers and what did I find?

The fruit of my labor!

Though not yet ripe, don't they look absolutely luscious?

Pomegranate

Pomegranate, originally uploaded by vicequeenmaria.

Pomegranates can be found in local supermarkets now. Have you enjoyed one yet?

These are growing in the orchard at Fairchild. It's a long bush under the tamarind tree, right in front of the aloes. Although I haven't seen a any fruit grow large to edible size yet, the orange flowers are beautiful. The transformation from delicate flower to hardy fruit is always amazing to observe.

Vanilla Orchid

Vanilla Orchid, originally uploaded by vicequeenmaria.

These Vanilla planifolia cuttings from the nursery were transplanted inside the fruit pavilion recently. The vanilla orchid is both terrestial and arboreal; it has roots in the ground and in the air. As you can see, it's climbing exceedingly well inside the warm and humid environment that will hopefully help it produce some seed pods. Right next to these orchids (not pictured here) are two Theobroma cacao trees. Yes, you guessed it: chocolate growing right next to vanilla!

Vanilla is one of my favorite flavors and aromas. To me, it evokes warmth, comfort and sensuality. It's such a common ingredient in so many foods; next time you detect its rich scent, remember it comes from the tropics.

What's your favorite vanilla food or memory?

Guava

Guava Growing as an Espalier, originally uploaded by vicequeenmaria.

Guava is currently bearing fruit in the garden. The paper bags protect the fruit.

Flickr Meetup at Fairchild

On September 7th, I met with a group of wonderfully talented photographer friends from Flickr. We spent about three hours in the garden clicking away. We were Miami Fever, Fraggle Red, Lenny Furman, Rober2010, Liz Alonso and of course, yours truly.

Here is a slideshow of photos from the day. Don't forget, there are still two more free Sundays in September to enjoy Fairchild.

Langsat

Langsat Fruiting, originally uploaded by vicequeenmaria.

The langsat tree (Lansium domesticum) inside the Whitman pavilion is currently bearing fruit. When I first started volunteering back in June, this is what it looked like:

Bromeliad Bloom

Bromeliad Bloom, originally uploaded by vicequeenmaria.

Palm Grove

Palm Grove, originally uploaded by vicequeenmaria.

One of the advantages of volunteering at Fairchild: morning light at 8:30 am, before doors open to the public. This grove is located by the Glade Lake, just east of the rainforest.

Jackfruit

Jackfruit, originally uploaded by vicequeenmaria.

Jackfruit growing right outside the fruit pavilion's entrance. Each fruit can weigh up to 80 pounds!

Bromeliad

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, originally uploaded by vicequeenmaria.

Update: The bromeliad is called Vriesea regina.

I don't know the scientific name of this bromeliad, but I will find out. Its flower is clearly magnificent! It grows as tall as a small tree and is very fragrant.

Banana

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, originally uploaded by vicequeenmaria.

Bromeliad

Bromeliad, originally uploaded by vicequeenmaria.

Portea petropolitana is from South America and belongs to the Bromeliaceae family. This particular specimen grows by the acquatic plant pond next to the gallery. Take a good look next time you're outdoors; currently, many bromeliads are in bloom all over South Florida.

Rambutan

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, originally uploaded by vicequeenmaria.

This rambutan tree inside the fruit pavilion is just beginning to flower, but has yet to bear fruit. Jon tells me it could take a few cycles before the tree bears "quality" fruit.

Talipot Palm

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, originally uploaded by vicequeenmaria.

"This colossal palm has a trunk that grows up to 80 feet tall, leaves to 16 feet across, and the largest flower cluster in the plant kingdom. The leaves, used as parasols and umbrellas, are large enough to shelter seven or eight people. When the plant reaches maturity at twenty to eighty years, the tree begins producing somewhat smaller leaves and develops a gigantic flowerstalk at the very top. Ten to twelve months later up to a ton of mature seeds are scattered as the tree dies."

-- description from the garden

The Talipot is native to India and Sri Lanka. Fairchild's specimen is already in the process of dying.

Mangosteen

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, originally uploaded by vicequeenmaria.

A mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) variety growing in the tropical fruit pavilion. Mangosteen has no botanical relationship to mango. I tried one of these and it had a tart flavor; the flesh around the seed had the consistency of an orange crossed with a peach.

Cannonball Tree

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, originally uploaded by vicequeenmaria.

The amazing flower of the "Cannonball Tree" (Couroupita guianensis) grows off branches that look like vines.