The Brazilian grape tree grows fruit on its trunk

Native to the southeastern region of Brazil, this grape tree has been nurtured since pre-Columbian times. The Tupi people named it jabuticaba: jabuti meaning tortoise and caba meaning place. The Brazilian grape tree grows in places where there are lots of tortoises. As the fruits mature and fall to the ground, the tortoises have a feast in the shady mulch beneath the trees.