What Strange Parasite Has Infected This Tree?

Egad, look at this poor tree! Some bulbous, parasitic infection is leaching the life right out of it! Could this creature arrive at to your local park? Are we looking at the onset of an arboreal apocalypse?

No worries, dear readers - this is just the jabuticaba, or Brazilian Grape Tree. It's indigenous to South America, particularly Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil. The fruit grows right from the trunk and can be eaten raw, jellied, or fermented into a spirit. Furthermore, the fruit contains anti-oxidants and anti-cancer properties. You ain't half bad, freaky pimple tree!

[via Kuriositas]

[via Ign11's Flickr]

[via mauroguandi's Flickr]

[via Felipe Setlik's Flickr]

[via Santa Rosa Old Skool's Flickr]