User blog comment:DancePowderer/Metaphysical Horticulture/@comment-89.139.198.106-20120802133008/@comment-98.213.118.175-20120805102233

One thing to keep in mind is that throughout the entire series most people (the general public and less experienced pirates) believe the DF to be a myth. This is seen all the way from the begining of OP and through most of the grandline (Many enemies if the SH pirates were shocked to see that Luffy was a rubber man). It wouldn't be an uncommon thought that someone who doesn't belive in such a thing existing might think that the fruit was tainted or rotting in some way and simply sidposed of it rather than researching it.