Eugenia sonderiana

O. Berg

Myrtaceae Edible: Fruit 1 iNaturalist observations

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Description

An evergreen shrub or small tree. The crown is dense and round. It grows 6-8 m tall. The trunk is crooked and 30-40 cm across. The bark is thick, soft and corky. The fruit are dark red and round. They are 8 mm across. There is one seed.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw. A sweetish tasting, fleshy pulp. The red to black, globose fruit is up to 8mm in diameter, containing a single seed.

Traditional Uses

The fruit is eaten raw. It is sweet.

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Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows in semi-deciduous and dense forest. It is best in well-drained sandy soils. It grows up to 900 m above sea level. It suits a sunny position.

Where It Grows

Brazil, South America,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from fresh seeds. They can be put in a nursery and planted out after 6 months.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a sunny position in a nursery seedbed. A germination rate in excess of 50% can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 28 - 42 days. When the seedlings are 4 - 6cm tall, pot them up into individual containers and they should be ready to plant out 5 - 6 months later.

Other Uses

The wood is fine-textured, straight-grained, moderately heavy, hard, with moderate mechanical properties but not very durable. It is only used locally, as scantlings and laths in construction; and for simple furniture making. The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal.