University of Florida Plant Information

Jujube as a Florida Fruit Crop

HS1477

The Chinese jujube (Rhamnaceae; Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) (Figure 1) is a deciduous fruit-bearing tree that is among the oldest domesticated tree crops, with evidence of cultivation going back over 7000 years. While relatively unknown to most in the West, the jujube is a popular and nutritious fruit estimated to be enjoyed by over a billion people on a regular basis. In China, it is among the most popular fruits, consumed both fresh and dried (described as the “Chinese date”), and had a market value of over $14 billion in 2017. Despite its limited cultivation in the United States, some cultivars of Chinese jujube have been shown to be well-adapted for production in Florida. Their rapid growth, prolific production, and resistance to abiotic stress suggest they may have at least some commercial potential, especially for small, local markets, including those that serve an Asian clientele. The Taiwan, sometimes referred to as Thai, jujube (Zizyphus mauritiana) does not share the same growth characteristics, so this review applies only to the Chinese jujube. Jujube was brought to North Carolina from Europe in 1837, then to California from France in 1876. Jujube was cultivated at the USDA agricultural station in Chico, California, in 1908, where selections were identified and distributed throughout southern states.

Leek Cultivation Guide for Florida

HS1388

Leek (Allium porrum L.) is a member of Amaryllidaceae, a family with ornamental crops, like amaryllis, and with vegetable crops, like onion. Members of this family typically grow umbels composed of showy and radially symmetric flowers with six distinct to connate tepals. The parallel-veined, simple, entire leaves are flat and arranged basally. The black or blue seeds usually contain the pigment phytomelan (Castner 2004) (Figure 1). There are two types of leek typically grown: common leek and Chinese leek. Common leek can reach three feet tall and has a width of two inches (MacKenzie 2018). Chinese leek is thinner, shorter, and has stronger flavors (Figures 2 and 3). Both leeks are monocots that do not produce bulbs and are grown for fresh-market production. The edible portion is the cylinder of bundled leaf sheaths, commonly called a stem, stalk, or pseudostem (Danto 2013; Swamy and Gowda 2006).

1. This document is HS1388, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date October 2020. Revised February 2024. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

2. Mary Dixon, graduate student, and Guodong Liu, associate professor, Horticultural Sciences Department; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

Cinnamomum camphora: Camphor-Tree1

ENH326

Scientific name: Cinnamomum camphora

Pronunciation: sin-uh-MOE-mum kam-FOR-uh

Common name(s): camphor-tree

Family: Lauraceae

USDA hardiness zones: 9B through 11 (Figure 2)

Origin: native to eastern Asia UF/IFAS

Invasive Assessment Status: invasive and not recommended (North and Central); caution, may be recommended but manage to prevent escape (South)

Uses: screen; shade; urban tolerant

1. This document is ENH326, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date November 1993. Revised February 2013 and December 2018. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

2. Edward F. Gilman, professor emeritus, Environmental Horticulture Department; Dennis G. Watson, former associate professor, Agricultural Engineering Department; Ryan W. Klein, graduate assistant, Environmental Horticulture Department; Andrew K. Koeser, assistant professor, Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center; Deborah R. Hilbert, graduate assistant, Environmental Horticulture Department, GCREC; and Drew C. McLean, biological scientist, Environmental Horticulture Department, GCREC; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

Southern Highbush Blueberry Cultivars from the University of Florida

HS1245

Blueberries are native to eastern North America and are one of the few crop plants that originated here. The woods and swamps of Florida are populated with at least eight wild blueberry species, including highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium virgatum), and evergreen blueberry (Vaccinium darrowii). Wild blueberries are present nearly everywhere in Florida, except in areas where soil pH is above 6.0. This publication provides historical background on southern highbush blueberries (SHB) and information on specific UF/IFAS cultivars that can be a helpful resource for SHB growers. The intended audience is primarily Florida commercial blueberry growers but also commercial growers in other locations growing UF/IFAS cultivars. Table 1 provides information on plant and berry characteristics for selected cultivars.

1. This document is HS1245, one of a series of the Department of Horticultural Sciences, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date March 2014. Revised February 2019, September 2022, and October 2024. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication. J. W. Olmstead and G. K. England contributed to earlier versions of this publication.

2. D. A. Phillips, blueberry Extension coordinator, UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center; J. G. Williamson, professor; P. M. Lyrene, professor emeritus; and P. R. Munoz, associate professor, Department of Horticultural Sciences; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

Psidium cattleianum: Strawberry Guava1

ENH-687

Scientific name: Psidium cattleianum

Pronunciation: SID-ee-um kat-lay-ee-AH-num

Common name(s): strawberry guava, cattley guava

Family: Myrtaceae

USDA hardiness zones: 10A through 11 (Figure 2)

Origin: native to Brazil UF/IFAS Invasive

Assessment Status: invasive and not recommended (South); caution, may be recommended but manage to prevent escape (North, Central)

Sugar Apple Growing in the Florida Home Landscape

HS38

Scientific Name: Annona squamosa L.

Common Names: annon, custard apple, sweetsop

Family: Annonaceae

Origin: The sugar apple is indigenous to tropical America.

Relatives: cherimoya (A. cherimola), soursop (A. muricata), custard apple (A. reticulata), pond apple (A. glabra), ilama (A. diversifolia), atemoya (A. cherimola x A. squamosa)

Distribution: Sugar apples are mainly grown in the tropics. In Florida, sugar apple production is restricted to warm locations along the lower southeast and southwest coasts. However, home landscape trees may be found along the southeastern shore of Lake Okeechobee and in warm, protected locations along the lower east and west coasts.

Importance: Sugar apples are a common fruit tree in the home landscape throughout the tropics and have been widely planted in South Florida.

1. This document is HS38, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date October 1979. Revised April 1994, October 2005, and November 2016. Reviewed December 2019. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication. Jonathan H. Crane, Carlos F. Balerdi, and Ian Maguire2

2. Jonathan H. Crane, professor, tropical fruit crop specialist, UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center; Carlos F. Balerdi, professor, multi-county tropical fruit crops Extension agent (retired), UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County; Ian Maguire, media artist (former), UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

Butia odorata: Pindo Palm

ENH264

The pindo or jelly palm was formerly known by the scientific name Butia capitata. However, recent research has shown that the correct name for this palm should be B. odorata. This small, single-stemmed, feather-leaved palm is widely grown in warmer parts of the US due to its unusual cold tolerance. It is considered hardy down to about 10°F or USDA zone 8A (see http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/ PHZMWeb/), but can survive in protected sites in zone 7B. While they survive in south Florida, pindo palms grow much better in cooler, less humid climates. They are considered to be intolerant of salt spray. This species has not been assessed for invasiveness by the UF/IFAS Assessment of Non-native Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas.

1. This document is ENH264, one of a series of the Department of Environmental Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date November 1993. Revised April 2015 and November 2023. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

2. Timothy K. Broschat, professor, UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center; Ryan W. Klein, assistant professor, arboriculture, and Deborah R. Hilbert, UF/IFAS Gulf Coast REC; Department of Environmental Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

Abiu Growing in the Florida Home Landscape

HS1050

Scientific Name: Pouteria caimito

Common Names: abiu (English), caimito amarillo, caimo, madura verde, and luma (Spanish), abiu, abio, abieiro (Portuguese)

Family: Sapotaceae

Relatives of Abiu: mamey sapote, canistel, green sapote, sapodilla

Origin: Amazonian region of South America

Distribution: Abiu has been distributed throughout the tropics of Latin America and Southeast Asia.

1. This document is HS1050, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date January 2006. Revised November 2016. Reviewed December 2019. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

2. Jonathan H. Crane, professor, tropical fruit crop specialist, UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center; and Carlos F. Balerdi, professor, multicounty tropical fruit crops Extension agent (retired), UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.