Burmese grape (ma-fai) Baccaurea ramiflora
Burmese grape (ma-fai) (Baccaurea ramiflora) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Phyllanthaceae family, native to Eastern Himalaya and India to southern China, Indochina and Peninsular Malaysia. It grows 8–15 m (26–49 ft) tall and 5–8 m (16–26 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about 3 °C (37 °F). Space plants about 6 m (20 ft) apart.
Plan Burmese grape (ma-fai) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Burmese grape (ma-fai) at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Phyllanthaceae |
| Mature height | 8–15 m (26–49 ft) |
| Mature spread | 5–8 m (16–26 ft) |
| Spacing | 6 m (20 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 3 °C (37 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | from about February for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: fruit (sweet-sour white segments) |
| Native to | Eastern Himalaya and India to southern China, Indochina and Peninsular Malaysia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇮🇳 India, 🇨🇳 China, 🇻🇳 Vietnam, 🇲🇾 Malaysia |
Is Burmese grape (ma-fai) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Burmese grape (ma-fai)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Burmese grape (ma-fai)
- How far apart should I plant Burmese grape (ma-fai)?
- About 6 m (20 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 5–8 m (16–26 ft).
- Does Burmese grape (ma-fai) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Burmese grape (ma-fai) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Burmese grape (ma-fai)?
- It tolerates about 3 °C (37 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Burmese grape (ma-fai) flower?
- From about February for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Burmese grape (ma-fai) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous.
- What grows well with Burmese grape (ma-fai)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Burmese grape (ma-fai). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- PROSEA: Plant Resources of South-East Asia, PROSEA Foundation, Bogor
- Flora of China, Missouri Botanical Garden & Harvard University Herbaria (eFloras)
Notes and assumptions
- Tropical: needs warm nights all year; in a frosty climate grow it under glass or as a summer container plant.
- Cauliflorous: long strings of flowers, then grape-like bunches of fruit, hang straight from the trunk and old branches. Separate male and female trees; plant both for fruit.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
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- Star gooseberry (Otaheite gooseberry, ma-yom) Phyllanthus acidus
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- Katuk (sweet leaf, phak wan ban) Breynia androgyna
- Masuku (wild loquat, mahobohobo) Uapaca kirkiana
- Strawberry Fragaria x ananassa
- Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum
- Dwarf apple tree Malus domestica