Eugenia brasiliensis

Eugenia brasiliensis is an evergreen shrub growing to 8 m tall and 8 m wide at a slow rate. Hardy to UK zone 10, it grows in light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage. It tolerates mildly acid, neutral, and very acid soils and can grow in semi-shade or full sun. The plant prefers moist soil and is noted for attracting wildlife, with flowers pollinated by bees and birds.

Description

A tree up to 15 m tall. It is a small compact tree. It is smaller in cooler areas (6m). The bark is grey. It has glossy leaves. They are opposite and oval to oblong. The leaves are 8-10 cm long and 3-5 cm wide. New leaves are a wine red colour. The leaf stalks are 3-4 mm long. It has small white flowers. The flowers occur singly in the axils of leaves. They are 2.5 cm wide. Clusters of fruit hang down on long stems. The fruit are round and dark purple. They can also be yellow. The flesh is soft. The fruit are 2-3 cm across and purplish black in colour. There is one large seed inside.

Edible Uses

The deep crimson fruit can be eaten raw or used in jams and jellies. It has a thin, delicate skin, soft and melting pulp, and a mild subacid flavour that resides largely in the skin. It is excellent eaten fresh. The persistent sepals — sometimes called 'rabbit ears' — and a modest flesh-to-seed ratio limit the fruit's appeal somewhat. The fruit is a globose to oblate berry, up to 3–5cm in diameter.

Traditional Uses

Fruit can be eaten fresh when ripe. It is used for pies or jam when half ripe.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

An infusion of 10g of leaves or bark in 300ml of water is used in Brazil as an aromatic, astringent diuretic and as a treatment for rheumatism.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in humid tropical and subtropical regions. It can grow in the lowlands and highlands. It can survive temperatures down to -3°C for short periods. It requires neutral soils as both acid and alkaline soils cause leaves to turn yellow due to mineral deficiencies. It requires plenty of moisture. Optimum rainfall is 1,200-2,500 mm. It cannot tolerate drought. Young plants benefit from shade until established. It suits hardiness zones 9-12.

Where It Grows

Africa, Amazon, Angola, Asia, Australia, Brazil*, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central America, Costa Rica, Cuba, Fiji, Hawaii, Honduras, Indonesia, Jamaica, Mauritius, Mexico, New Zealand, North America, Pacific, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Singapore, South America, Taiwan, USA, West Indies,

Cultivation

is a cultivated tree. The fruit are popular. The grumichama requires a humid, tropical to subtropical climate, growing best at very low elevations of 90 metres or less. The temperature range for growth is reported to be 15 - 38°c with the optimum between 21 - 32°c. Mature trees tolerate frost to -3°c for short periods, but young shoots are affected. The annual rainfall range for growth is reported to be 800 - 3,500mm with the optimum between 1,200 - 2,500mm. The plant is adversely affected by a long, dry season. Succeeds in full sun or part day shade. Adaptable to a range of soil types, but intolerant of alkaline soils. Prefers high levels of organic matter in the soil, especially when grown on light soils. Prefers a position sheltered from strong winds. Generally slow-growing, the plants can commence flowering and fruiting when 4 years old from seed. In the subtropics the trees flower synchronously in spring. The fruit ripens within one month and the harvest is over in a matter of days. In the tropics flowering and fruiting extend over several months. The fruits can vary considerably in colour and two distinct forms have been described. The species type has a black-skinned fruit; E. Brasiliensis leucocarpa has yellow fruits; E. Brasiliensis erythrocarpa has red-skinned fruits that are sweeter than the other forms. Flowering Time: "Late Summer/Early Fall Mid Fall". Blooming Color: White/Near White. This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds.

Propagation

Seed loses viability quickly — within about 6 weeks — and should be sown as soon as possible. Sow in a lightly shaded position in a nursery seedbed or in individual containers. Germination rates are usually low, with sprouting occurring within 30–60 days. Seedlings grow very slowly. A tree spacing of 4m is suitable and little pruning is necessary. Cuttings and air layering are both easy options. Grafting is also possible.

Other Uses

The bark and leaves contain large amounts of tannins, reportedly among the highest found in any plant — 34% in the bark. The bark and leaves also contain 1.5% of an essential oil and have an attractive aromatic smell. The wood is cross-grained, compact, hard, moderately heavy, not very elastic, brittle, and of medium durability when exposed. It is easy to work and is used for lathe work, cabinet making, general carpentry, linings, and boxes.

Production

Trees take four or five years to start producing fruit. Fruit takes one month to mature after flowering. Fruit weigh 3-5 g.

Other Information

It is a cultivated tree. The fruit are popular.

Notes

There are about 550 Eugenia species. They are mostly in tropical and subtropical South America.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Amla, Aula, Cerisier de Brazil, Cumbixaba, Grumixaba, Grumixama, Grumixameira, Guamichama, Ibaporoti, Oula, Pohon jambu brazil, Sinaili

References (46)

• Alimenticias - FloraSBS
• Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 458
• Burkill, I.H., 1966, A Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Vol 1 (A-H) p 976
• Cavalcante, P.B. 1991. Frutas comestíveis da Amazônia. Edições CEJUP. (As Eugenia dombeyi)
• Coronel, R.E., 1982, Fruit Collections in the Philippines. IBPGR Newsletter p 6 (As Eugenia dombeyi)

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