Miracle fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum) is a berry that, when eaten, causes sour foods (such as lemons and limes) subsequently consumed to taste sweet. This effect is due to miraculin , a glycoprotein molecule, with some trailing carbohydrate chains When the fleshy part of the fruit is eaten, this molecule binds to the tongue's taste buds, causing sour foods to taste sweet. Miraculin works by binding to sweet receptors on the taste buds. At neutral pH, miraculin binds and blocks the receptors, but at low pH (resulting from ingestion of sour foods) miraculin binds protons and becomes able to activate the sweet receptors, resulting in the perception of sweet taste. This effect lasts until the protein is washed away by saliva (30 minutes or more).
DESCRIPTION
Growth Habit: Miracle fruit is an evergreen bush or tree growing to 18 ft. in its native habitat, but rarely to 5 ft. otherwise.
Foliage: The plant has deep green, elongated leaves which grow in a spire-like habit. Both regular and large-leaf and a hairy-leaf form are known.
Flowers: The small 1/4 inch white flowers of miracle fruit are produced in flushes through many months of the year.
Fruit: The fruit is a small bright red, ellipsoid berry approximately 2 to 3 cm long and containing a single seed.
CULTURE
Soils: An acid soil is a must for miracle fruit. They prefer a soil acidity of pH 4.5 to 5.8.
Irrigation: Be sure that the soil is well draining as the plants do not like to sit in wet soils. Coming from a tropical climate they need highly humid conditions. Fertilization: Use a water soluble fertilizer Use sparingly with frequency dependent on the growing season, fertilizing more frequently during the summer months
Pruning: In general, there is no need to prune the miracle fruit plant.
Propagation: Propagation of miracle fruit is usually either by seed or cuttings.
DESCRIPTION
Growth Habit: Miracle fruit is an evergreen bush or tree growing to 18 ft. in its native habitat, but rarely to 5 ft. otherwise.
Foliage: The plant has deep green, elongated leaves which grow in a spire-like habit. Both regular and large-leaf and a hairy-leaf form are known.
Flowers: The small 1/4 inch white flowers of miracle fruit are produced in flushes through many months of the year.
Fruit: The fruit is a small bright red, ellipsoid berry approximately 2 to 3 cm long and containing a single seed.
CULTURE
Soils: An acid soil is a must for miracle fruit. They prefer a soil acidity of pH 4.5 to 5.8.
Irrigation: Be sure that the soil is well draining as the plants do not like to sit in wet soils. Coming from a tropical climate they need highly humid conditions. Fertilization: Use a water soluble fertilizer Use sparingly with frequency dependent on the growing season, fertilizing more frequently during the summer months
Pruning: In general, there is no need to prune the miracle fruit plant.
Propagation: Propagation of miracle fruit is usually either by seed or cuttings.