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Synsepalum dulciferum - Schumach. & Thonn.) Daniell.

Common Name Miracle Berry
Family Sapotaceae
USDA hardiness 10-12
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Fringing forest, preferring damp localities[332 ].
Range Western and Central Tropical Africa.
Edibility Rating    (4 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Tender Moist Soil Wet Soil Full sun
Synsepalum dulciferum Miracle Berry


MiracleFruitFarm wikimedia.org
Synsepalum dulciferum Miracle Berry
Zhangzhugang wikimedia.org

 

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Summary

Miracle Berry, Synsepalum dulciferum, is an evergreen shrub in Western and Central Tropical Africa that grows up to 6 m in height. This tree has no medicinal value but is cultivated for food. The fruits are edible and can be consumed raw. Fruits are oblong berries with sweet and fleshy pulp. It contains miraculin, a glycoprotein, which makes bitter, sour, and salty food taste sweet. Twigs are used as chew sticks to clean the teeth. The wood is used for fuel.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Synsepalum dulciferum is an evergreen Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft) by 4 m (13ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Bakeriella dulcifica (Schumach. & Thonn.) Dubard Bumelia dulcifica Schumach. & Thonn. Pouteria dulci

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses: Condiment  Sweetener

Fruit - raw[416 ]. The thin-skinned fruit has a sweet, fleshy pulp[416 ]. The ripe fruit, although not itself that sweet to taste, has the ability to modify the taste receptors in the mouth, causing foods to taste sweeter[46 , 301 ]. The effect lasts for up to an hour after consuming the fruit and will, for example, make lemons, vinegar and other acid foods taste sweet. Sweet foods, such as ice cream, will taste cloyingly sweet[301 ]. The oblong fruit is about 20mm x 10mm[200 ]. The berries contain miraculin which is the active principle that makes bitter, sour and salty food taste sweet by affecting the taste-buds[317 ]. In this manner used for 'sweetening' palm wine, sour fruits and other drinks or food. Additionally a glucoprotein is present that depresses the appetite[317 ].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Fuel  Teeth

Other Uses: The twigs are used as chew sticks to clean the teeth[332 ]. The wood is used for fuel[332 ].

Special Uses

Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A plant of the hot, wet, tropical lowlands[335 ]. Plants are intolerant of frost[335 ]. Prefers a humus-rich acid soil[335 ]. Grows well in light shade[335 ]. Seedling plants can commence fruiting when about 4 - 5 years old[335 ]. Plants can flower several times a year[335 ].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed -

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Miracle fruit, Miracle berry, Miraculous berry, Sweet berry in West Africa, Agbayun, Taami, Asaa, and Ledidi.

Native Range

AFRICA: Western and Central Tropical Africa.

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Schumach. & Thonn.) Daniell.

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

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