Wednesday, 2 August 2017

Wild Cherries Or Muntingia Calabura In The Park

Today's post is about a wild cherry plant that is found in the recreational park where we go for our early morning walk. This plant must have been planted there in the park by one of the regular men who frequent this park because I used to see a man diligently watering this plant early in the morning while we were there. From a small plant, it has now grown to a big tree.

Some of the common names for this wild cherry or Muntingia Calabura plant are Calabur Tree, Jamaica Cherry and Strawberry Tree. Propagation of this plant can be done from seeds or cuttings. It is also dispersed by birds.
 I was curious and one morning after I have finished my walking rounds, I walked over to this tree and took some photos. This photo was taken when the tree was about 6 feet tall.
Here is a close up of the leaves and the flowers. The flower petals are thin and white. It has yellow stamens. The leaves are covered with fine short hairs.
The tree has grown taller and bigger. Lately, I noticed some women under the tree, looking up and searching for the wild cherries. The ripe cherries are red in colour. Whatever cherries found higher up on the trees are for birds and the cherries found lower within reach are collected by humans.
The plant is known for its medicinal benefits. The cherries can be used for making jam and the leaves can be used for making tea. So far I have not tried tasting any of them.
Below are photos of some of my garden plants in full bloom. 
Reddish orange Bauhinia and Yellow gold cups flowers
 Lantana Camara and Periwinkle flowers.
Yellow gold cups blooming happily. 
In order to keep the height in check, I have to occasionally trim back the branches.
These plants enjoy full sunlight.
 These yellow gold cups look like trumpets.
Linking to Floral Bliss.


When you are fighting an enemy who attacks you in your own land,
blow the trumpets loudly.
The LORD your God will take notice of [remember] you and
will save you from your enemies.
(Numbers 10:9, Expanded Bible-EXB)

66 comments:

  1. Your flowers are all so beautiful and healthy looking! We do not have these cherry trees here. We have several varieties of red, and yellow Ranier cherries.

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  2. Oh, Nancy...I have loved these...I just came from a blog with glorious flowers and now here you show more. Loved them.

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  3. You have lovely & sparkling colors in your garden - truly some Floral Bliss!. The golden cup is so pretty and a new plant for me. Wishing you an enjoyable day!

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  4. Beautiful! I love your garden, Nancy.

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  5. Replies
    1. Thank you, Sharon. If the cups are really gold! Ha ha!

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  6. It always amazes me how wonderfully colourful your garden is Nancy. Such beautiful blooms.
    The wild cherry is lovely.
    Have a wonderful August :)

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  7. Your garden is amazing, so pretty and colourful. Happy August Diane

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  8. You have pretty colourful flowering plants to decorate your home and the yellow gold cups sticking out of the plants gives a nice instrumental theme. The wild cherries sound excellent beneficial to healthy and nice capture on its detail and flowers

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  9. Wow, that's amazing. I mean witnessing how it's grown from a small plant to a tree is just astonishing. And it's so beautiful too. Love these flowers.

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    1. Thank you, Lux. It is very rewarding to see them grow. Have a great day!

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  10. ...so many that I'm not similar with.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Tom, these are some of our local plants. Have a good day!

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  11. can these wild cherries be eaten raw like red cherries?

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    Replies
    1. Yes, they can be eaten raw. Humans and birds competing for the cherries!

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  12. Your gardens are so pretty! All green and blooming! August in Texas is not pretty. Too hot and too dry so everything looks faded and sad.
    I have meant to try some things that grow here in salads. Like purslane - which is a weed. Bit even THAT is too dry now!

    I would be tempted to try one of those wild cherries!

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    1. Thank you, Linda. I have just found out that purslane are what we called Japanese roses! They are too beautiful to be eaten! Hahaha!

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  13. Lovely trees in the park and in your own garden more beautiful flowers than i can imagine! Hope the cherries ripen soon and you get to try some.

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    1. Thank you, Mimi. I don't I will get a chance. The early birds and women would have eaten all of them. Lol!

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  14. Fabulous photos of these pretty blooms Nancy. Thank you for sharing them :)

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  15. I am familiar with that cherry and have taste the fruit when I was a child. Oh, I do love your beautiful blooms!

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    Replies
    1. I can't remember whether I have tasted them as a child. Maybe I have. Have a beautiful day!

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  16. wahhh... all blooming, must go and see one of these days..

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    Replies
    1. I hope by then new flowers will be in full bloom!

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  17. How gorgeous and refreshing!

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  18. What a lovely find during your walk. Thanks for the history of this cherry plant too.

    Have a fabulous day, Nancy. ☺

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  19. The yellow gold cups are so gorgeous! Love them, especially the last photo.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Libby. I too love these gold cup flowers. Have a good day!

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  20. Cherry tree is very common in Poland. Love from sunny Poland

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Gosia. It is hot here but we have occasional rain.

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  21. Son preciosas tus flores y me encantó el cerezo silvestre. Besitos.

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  22. A beautiful walk down the street without even getting up off my couch... :) gotta love the window to the world the Internet gives us!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Sandi! Warm greetings. Have a wonderful day!

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  23. Really splendid photos to look at and nice of you to share!

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    1. Thank you, Blogoratti. Have a fantastic day!

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  24. Those yellow cup flowers are new to me! They do look like trumpets too!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Christine. I used to call them trumpet flowers. Have a happy day!

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  25. Thanks for the interesting post! Have a nice day)

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  26. Ooh, wild cherries - are they edible?

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  27. We love to eat muntingia calabura when we are kids. We call these berries aratiles in the Philippines.

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    1. Hi Ishmael, I can't remember whether I have tasted these when I was a kid. Might have. Have a great day!

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  28. Lots of wonderful summer colors!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Bettyl. Have a wonderful weekend!

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  29. How fun to have a cherry tree! Wow and your garden is blooming beautifully.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, especially blooming well in this season! Have a beautiful day!

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