Boca Raton, FL (Zone 10b) | September 2009 | positive
This tree is often covered in a blush of pale pink and mauve new growth which seems fitting for it’s…ahem..other qualities. It seems...Read More that the mango-colored fruit which sprouts directly from its trunk offers two distinctly unique properties. Purportedly, it causes all sweat and body excretions to smell like violets and renders women temporarily infertile.
Not surprisingly, the fruit was once popular “with ladies of the sultan’s harem” (Growing and Fruiting the Kepel in Florida, Rare Fruit Council, 1982) It makes me wonder if there is not a very entertaining story behind the naming of this fruit after Henry Keppel, a British captain who cleared the Singapore straits of pirates.
It is a finicky, slow-growing tree and requires protection from full sun and frost for the first few years before hardening off to a location for full sun. I am surprised it is not more common in South Florida.
Also called keppel, kecindul, simpol, cindul, burahol, turalak or Kepel (Keppel) Apple.
This tree is often covered in a blush of pale pink and mauve new growth which seems fitting for it’s…ahem..other qualities. It seems...Read More