Rollinia deliciosa, biribá - GRAFTED (super rare)

Biriba is a soft, yellow-skinned fruit resembling Annona varieties, distinguished by prominent spikes. The white to translucent, juicy flesh boasts an excellent sweet flavor. Rarely found beyond native regions, these medium-large fruits transition from green to yellow, adorned with soft spines that darken as they ripen. Rollinia deliciosa, also known as biribá, wild sugar-apple, or lemon meringue pie fruit, belongs to the custard-apple family and is native to South America. Enjoyed globally, the fruit is recognized for its delectable taste, often likened to a lemon meringue pie, and is best consumed by halving and scooping out the gooey pulp with a spoon.

Rollinia is a fast-growing and sun-loving tree that is super ornamental when fruiting. Its fruits look like colorful dragon's eggs, hanging from a beautiful, lush green tree. Thriving in warm, wet tropical regions, this tree can tolerate flooded conditions and prefers full sun. In colder climates, it can be grown in a large pot within a sunny greenhouse or sunroom, with the option to bring it indoors during winter.

These plants are grafted onto cherimoya rootstock, as cherimoya trees exhibit greater cold hardiness compared to rollinia. By utilizing the hardy cherimoya rootstock, you can enjoy the advantages of enhanced cold resistance. Nevertheless, I still highly recommend cultivating these grafted rollinia plants indoors, either in a greenhouse or a sunroom, to provide optimal growing conditions in the New Zealand climate.