[CH] C. baccatum
Peter Moss (pmoss@yoda.alt.za)
Fri, 10 Apr 1998 23:07:49 RSA-2
Having just bought a new house, well not so new it belonged to
my folks. Spending some time cleaning up the overgrown garden
with very willing and helpful family I was browsing around
the almost jungle like sections. I spotted a flower, a most
beautiful flower that had green spots on the petals. Following
the the branch I found some tiny fruit, ovaloid and maybe 5mm
long on the largest. Later I found another bush which had ripe
fruit on it and picked some to save the seeds. The fruit
seperated fron the stalk with ease. This is no cultivated
species. The green fruit was pungent but I have not tasted the
ripe fruit yet.
First I have to ask what and why is a bird varietry of C.
baccatum doing in Africa? Second is this possibly a regression?
I was not aware of C. baccatum being available in Africa in any
numbers to speak of. I have never seen this species for sale
anywhere in South Africa. Apart from a few people that may have
brought in seeds it probably has never been cultivated here.
Guesses, answers or put me out of my misery in not knowing.
Flower: Petal white with green spots
Fruit: 5mm x 4mm, erect
Immature fruit: green
Mature fruit: orange to red
Species: C. baccatum. See similar USDA 238061 but smaller
Apart from a windfall I never expected to see, my thanks to the
birds that planted them for me to find. What a joy and
pleasure it was.
Swop seeds for similar "exotica"
Peter
--
Peter Moss E-Mail: pmoss@yoda.alt.za
Of all the things I have lost, I miss my mind the most.