The Manila Tennis Ball Cherry often botanically identified as Flacourtia sp or sometimes Eugenia reinwardtiana is a rare tropical fruit shrub celebrated for its sweet berrylike flavor and ornamental beauty Despite the name the fruit is not actually the size of a tennis ballit is typically about 1 inch 34 cm in diameter roughly the size of a large cherry or a miniature tennis ball
Below is a detailed description of its characteristics
Appearance amp TextureFruit Round glossy and vibrant It starts green and ripens into a deep red or reddishpurple hue The skin is smooth and thin while the flesh inside is soft juicy and surrounds a small cherrylike pit
Foliage The plant is an evergreen shrub or small tree with lush dark green leaves that are oval or elliptical In some varieties the leaves may have lightly serrated edges
Flowers Before fruiting the tree produces small fragrant white blossoms that are highly attractive to pollinators like bees
Flavor ProfileThe Manila Tennis Ball Cherry is often rated as one of the besttasting tropical cherries
Taste It is primarily sweet with subtle complex notes of grape honey and mixed berries
Tanginess Some varieties or slightly underripe fruits may have a mild citrusy tang though it is generally much sweeter than the common Surinam Cherry Eugenia uniflora which can sometimes have a resinous aftertaste
Growth amp CultivationPlant Type A hardy slowtomoderate growing shrub that typically reaches 1015 feet in height but can be kept smaller through pruning
Climate It thrives in tropical and subtropical climates 21C38C It is droughttolerant once established but does not tolerate frost well
Versatility Due to its dense foliage and thorns in some Flacourtia species it is often used as a living fence or hedge as well as an ornamental centerpiece
Fruiting Time Grafted or layered plants usually begin to bear fruit within 34 years