I am not supposed to add new members to my collection, but here I am with two new plants....! Yes, guilty as charged, but perhaps I should be allowed to justify?
The first plant I bought is the "Miracle Plant". Actually I have been introduced to this plant before, but had mulled over buying it. I did read some articles about this plant in the internet and was rather fascinated. So the reason I bought it ? Believe me I just wasn't being impulsive, lol! 
My mother was a diabetic, and so was her sister. Perhaps I, too, may be affected, so I am just getting prepared. This 'miracle plant' (Synsepalum dulcificum) will not be my savior, but it may help me to adjust as a diabetic, :- ) . Apparently the berries from this plant contains a substance, miraculin, which after being consumed makes other food taste sweet, especially sour ones like limes, etc. The effect supposedly can last from half an hour to 2 hours. Do read more on these links : - http://toptropicals.com/html/toptropicals/plant_wk/synsepalum.htm and http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/miraclefruit.html. Well I just have to keep my fingers crossed that in a year's time I will have some berries to taste.....! What a novelty plant! The second plant I bought is what the nursery owner said is the "Jatoba Cherry Tree" (in mandarin) , but then when I checked it out in the internet, this plant cannot possibly be it. So I will just call it the 'Cherry Tree".
When I finished Standard One at school, I was given a book prize. Those days the schools gave book prizes. I can't remember why I was given a book prize, but I remember my eldest sister teaching me to read this very first book I owned that is not a text book. It was a beautiful book with very colorful illustrated pictures. The first page started with , " One Cherry Stone upon my plate....." Perhaps this is why I am stuck with cherries and cherry stones... ! Let us hope I will get a cherry stone (from this plant) on my plate one day.....lol !
23rd November 2010
Update : Finally checked it out - the "Cherry Tree" goes by the name "Eugenia Uniflora" or 'Surinam Cherry". Totally different from my vision of a cherry fruit, but this plant nevertheless is an interesting plant , its white flowers are fragrant and the fruits are rich in Vitamin C and of some medicinal value as well. Well no regrets buying this plant, just hope it will grow strong and healthy in my garden. Apparently it does well in pots or on the ground. This link has nice photos and a good write-up as comments ....check it out : http://toptropicals.com/cgi-bin/garden_catalog/cat.cgi?uid=Eugenia_uniflora. This article is interesting and very infomative :- http://chestofbooks.com/gardening-horticulture/fruit/Tropical-And-Subtropical-Fruits/The-Pitanga-Fig-37-Eugenia-Uniflora-L.html
When I finished Standard One at school, I was given a book prize. Those days the schools gave book prizes. I can't remember why I was given a book prize, but I remember my eldest sister teaching me to read this very first book I owned that is not a text book. It was a beautiful book with very colorful illustrated pictures. The first page started with , " One Cherry Stone upon my plate....." Perhaps this is why I am stuck with cherries and cherry stones... ! Let us hope I will get a cherry stone (from this plant) on my plate one day.....lol !23rd November 2010
Update : Finally checked it out - the "Cherry Tree" goes by the name "Eugenia Uniflora" or 'Surinam Cherry". Totally different from my vision of a cherry fruit, but this plant nevertheless is an interesting plant , its white flowers are fragrant and the fruits are rich in Vitamin C and of some medicinal value as well. Well no regrets buying this plant, just hope it will grow strong and healthy in my garden. Apparently it does well in pots or on the ground. This link has nice photos and a good write-up as comments ....check it out : http://toptropicals.com/cgi-bin/garden_catalog/cat.cgi?uid=Eugenia_uniflora. This article is interesting and very infomative :- http://chestofbooks.com/gardening-horticulture/fruit/Tropical-And-Subtropical-Fruits/The-Pitanga-Fig-37-Eugenia-Uniflora-L.html
