Hortia Brasiliana

Seeds were imported from Brazil. Hortia brasiliana is an evergreen tree with a dense, oval crown; it can grow 15 - 20 meters tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be 30 - 50cm in diameter. The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of wood. Quite ornamental when in bloom, it can be used in landscaping. It is normally found growing in the Atlantic Rainforest and at higher elevations in semideciduous forests, growing on the slopes and tops of hills; favoring well-drained, clayey soils; at elevations from sea level to 1,200 meters. The fruitsa re green when fully ripe, and are edible. The fruits are acidic, and usually used to make jellies and treats mixed with sugar. Seeds are shipped in humid vermiculite.