Flower and Fruit Development of Miracle Fruit Tree (Synsepalum dulcificum) Grown in Maejo University

Abstract

     Flower and fruit development of miracle fruit tree (Synsepalum dulcificum) grown at Division of Pomology, Faculty of Agriculture Production Maejo University, Sansai, Chiang Mai were studied. The finding showed that miracle flower occurs on the branch and stem. Once develop to be more mature, the peduncle will be elongated. Miracle flowers were perfect type containing 5 sepals, 5 petals and 5 anthers with filaments are about 4.0-5.0 mm long. The superior ovary has 2 lobes and style is about 5.0-6.0 mm long. There are 6 stages for flower development taking about 87-90 days. Size of flowers is small with the full length about 1.0 cm for fruit development, (from 0.3 cm - long to red ripe (2.0 cm –long)), it takes 40-60 days. There are 5 stages of fruit development and miracle fruit is classified as stone fruit with pattern of development as simple sigmoid curve. The fruits change color from green (young fruit) to pink and finally red (ripe fruit). Edible portion increase from 42 percent at the beginning to about 80 when ripe.