Candle Fruit Live Plants (Parmentiera Cereifera)

Candlestick plants, scientifically known as Parmentiera Cereifera, are native to Panama and are widespread throughout Central and South America. The Candle Fruit they produce is a peculiar and elongated fruit that dangles from branches, resembling freshly-dipped candles. These unique fruits emerge from white, bell-shaped flowers, which are pollinated by moths and bats, with mature trees capable of bearing hundreds of fruits.

Candlestick fruits are known for emitting an apple-like aroma and possessing a mildly sweet and sour flavor reminiscent of bell peppers and sugarcane. Their appearance is waxy, and their texture is spongy and edible. Inside, the pale-yellow flesh is fibrous, spongy, and juicy, containing numerous small, edible, flat seeds. These fruits are slightly juicy and offer a sweet taste.

Candlestick fruits are a valuable source of dietary fiber and are rich in flavonoids, antioxidants that can enhance the immune system, reduce inflammation, and provide tannins and saponins, chemical compounds known for their antibacterial properties. In addition to the fruits, the leaves of the Candlestick tree can be steeped in boiling water to create a healing tea, traditionally used for throat and as a tonic for ear infections.

Commonly referred to as Pale de Cera, American Camburita, Arbol de Vela, and Palo de Velas, the botanical name for these unique plants remains Parmentiera Cereifera. Typically, they start blooming and bearing fruit around 5 years of growth, requiring a moderate level of maintenance for successful cultivation.