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Perennial Edible Fruits of the Tropics


Chapter 2 Major Fruits


Utilization: Pulp made into jellies Flavor sour, pleasant; general appeal. Some potential for processing.

References: Gomez 1977, Popenoe 1939.


Eugenia aggregata Kiaersk.
Common names: cherry of the Rio Grande (English); cerise du Rio Grande (French).

Origin: Brazil.

Distribution: Tropical America but rare outside Brazil.

Cultural requirements: Grows well in tropical to subtropical conditions in a variety of soils. Not toler-ant of drought; good supply of water needed especially during bloom and fruit development. Mature trees tolerate -6° C.

Description: Tree to 8 m. Propagation by seed (can be grafted). Fruit production in 4-5 years from seed. Flowers March-April (Florida). Flowers per-fect but cross pollination increases fruit set. Fruit matures in 60 days. Fruit oblong, 2-3 cm in diameter, solitary on new growth; external color red or purple, internal yellowish orange.

Utilization: Pulp eaten fresh, in jellies. Flavor sweet; moderate appeal. Good home garden fruit and ornamental tree. Little potential for commercial production.

References: Fouqué 1974, Ruehle et al 1958.


Eugenia dombeyi Skeels (= E. brasiliensis Lam.)
Common names: grumichama (English, Spanish); cerisier du brésil (French); grumixama (Portuguese).

Origin: Brazil.

Distribution: Widely introduced but not common out-side tropical America.

Cultural requirements: Warm, wet tropical lowlands. Grows best in medium-acid soil. Easily injured by frost.

Description: Shrub or tree to 6 m. Propagation by seed (can be grafted). Flowers April-May (Florida). Fruit matures in 30-40 days. Fruit oblate, 2-3 cm in diameter, solitary on new growth; external color purple to black, internal orange.

Utilization: Pulp eaten fresh, in jellies. Flavor sweet; general appeal. Good home garden fruit and ornamental plant. Little potential for commercial production.

References: Fouqué 1974, Popenoe 1939, Ruehle et al. 1958.

Eugenia luschnathiana Klotzsch
Common name: pitomba (English, French, Portuguese).

Origin: Brazil.

Distribution: Introduced elsewhere but rare outside Brazil.

Cultural requirements: Tropical to warm subtropical climate. Not tolerant of drought especially at time of bloom and fruit development.

Description: Tree to 8 m. Propagation by seed (can be grafted). Flowers April-May (Florida). Fruit matures in 60 days. Fruit ovoid, 2.5-3 cm in di-ameter; external color orange, internal yellow.

Utilization: Pulp eaten fresh, in jellies, preserves. Flavor sweet to subacid; good appeal. Good home garden fruit. Little potential for commercial production.

References: Fouqué 1974, Ruehle et al. 1958.


Eugenia uniflora L.
Common names: Surinam cherry, pitanga (English); cereza de Surinam, pitanga (Spanish); cerise carree, cerisier de Suriname (French); pitanga, pitanga do norte (Portuguese).

Origin: South America.

Distribution: Pantropic.

Cultural requirements: Tropical and warm subtropical climates, medium to high rainfall, variety of soil conditions. Tolerant of light frost.

Description: Shrub or tree to 6 m. Propagation by seed (can be grafted). Fruit production in 3-4 years from seed. Main bloom March-May, occasionally at other times of year (Florida). Fruit matures in 35-50 days. Fruit oblate, conspicuously ribbed, 2-3.5 cm in diameter; external color red, purple, or black; internal color orange.

Utilization: Pulp eaten fresh, in jellies. Flavor sweet, sometimes resinous; limited appeal. No potential as commercial food crop. Important in some places as ornamental hedge plant.
References: Fouqué 1974, Popenoe 1939, Ruehle et al. 1958.


Eugenia uvalha Camb.
Common names: ubaia, uvaia, uvalha (Portuguese).

Origin: Brazil.

Distribution: Introduced elsewhere but rare outside Brazil.

Cultural requirements: Tropical or warm subtropical climates with low to medium rainfall. Tolerant of light frost and drought.




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© MMIV - Volume 1 Number 4 Whole Number 4 Tropical Visions August 2004

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