Giant Lau Lau – Eugenia megacarpa

Plant family: Myrtaceae

Plant origin: Papua New Guinea and some islands of the South Pacific.

Fruit description: The fruit of the Giant Lau Lau is edible, crunchy and sweet with a subtle flavour. It looks spectacular when it ripens as it is a long pear-shaped shiny pink fruit. The unripe fruits are green.

Flowers: The flowers are pink, and appear all over the branches. The ground under a flowering Giant Lau Lau, is totally covered with the bright pink stamens, making a stunning pink carpet.

Growing conditions: The Giant Lau Lau is an evergreen tree. It likes shade, partial shade or sun. It grows fast given ample water and high humidity, to a height of 6 metres. It has giant glossy leaves. It makes a spectacular ornamental tree especially when it flowers and the fruit ripens.

Uses: Eat Giant Lau Lau fruit fresh, perhaps chilled, for a refreshing treat.

Medicinal uses:

Pollination requirements: Self-Pollinating.

Harvest time December to May

Plant relatives Other Eugenia plants include the Rio Grande Cherry, Brazil Cherry (Pitanga or Surinam Cherry), Beach or Cedar Bay Cherry (Australia), Pitomba, Grumichama, and Tropical Apricot.

Special features:

Grown by method: Seed Grown Pot size: 140mm

Plant growing Height and Width for pots or in the ground planting: Grows to 2.5 metres high by 2 metres wide if Planted in a Pot. Grows 6 metres high by 4 metres wide if Planted in the Ground.

Shipping plant pot or planter bag size: 140mm