The world of vitamin C-rich fruiting plants is a diverse one, from the autumn hips of cold-climate rose bushes to the spiky fruits of the mighty pineapple tree. Some plants are either too massive or too susceptible to heat and mildew to fit the bill as tropical shrubs rich in vitamin C. But other tropical species meet the description, especially those described as having cultivars that range from shrubs to small trees. Their fruits help achieve the recommended daily amount of 75 mg vitamin C for women and 90 mg for men.
Barbados Cherry
Only rose hips rival the Barbados cherry in the amount of vitamin C they offer. A tall, wide shrub, the Barbados cherry bears fruits that resemble cherry tomatoes in color, shape and size, and are juicy with an acidic tang. The unripe fruit contains more of the nutrient than fully ripe fruits do. 100 g of the ripe fruit provides 2,000 mg of ascorbic acid, which is the maximum daily amount recommended by National Institutes of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements. Unripe fruit contains about 4,500 mg of vitamin C. People who grow or harvest the fruits eat them fresh, or use the cooked cherries in desserts, syrups and preserves. Seeds must be removed from the pulp before eating. Barbados cherries grow throughout the Lesser Antilles, including Barbados, as well as South America, Cuba and Jamaica. It can be grown in Florida, Hawaii and Puerto Rico and is classed as both a tropical and subtropical shrub.
Feijoa
Feijoa fruits contribute up to 35 mg of vitamin C in a 100 g serving. The evergreen Feijoa sellowiana bush grows as high as 20 feet, but may be much shorter. More elongated than kiwi fruits, feijoas seldom grow bigger than 2 inches long and 2 inches wide. Both the white flesh and clear, seedy pulp are edible. Like apples, the feijoa turns dark when peeled unless coated with lemon juice or other preservative. Fruits are suitable for fresh eating or for use in baked dishes, preserves and syrups.
Jujube
The Indian jujube, Ziziphus mauritiana, boasts an average of 70 mg of vitamin C per 100 g. The fruits are suitable for fresh or dry eating. Depending on the variety, Indian jujube's height and shape ranges from a shrub between to 4 and 6 feet tall to a tree that grows as high as 40 feet. It grows in tropical regions of the world, but in subtropical climates like Florida's it may succumb to frost. Some people mistake the hardier kind of jujube, the Chinese jujube, for the Indian jujube. The latter's common names include Indian cherry, coolie plum, dunk and Chinee apple.
Citrus
Botanically, citrus plants are evergreen shrubs or small trees. Citrus plants include lemons, limes, grapefruits, oranges and tangerines. They grow in both tropical and subtropical regions. According to the USDA, an orange contains about 70 mg vitamin C, and a grapefruit 8 mg. The juice from lemons and limes average about 15 g per fruit. Tangerines contribute about 22 mg of vitamin C. All fruits are suitable for juicing, which offers even more vitamin C per serving.
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