Brazilian Cherry – Eugenia uniflora

Plant family: Myrtaceae

Plant origin: Tropical and Sub-Tropical America

Fruit description: Fleshy red berry about 20 mm in diameter, which has ribs on its round shape. Unripe fruit is yellow. The taste ranges from sweet to sour, depending on the cultivar and level of ripeness (the darker red to black range is quite sweet, while the green to orange range is quite sour).

Flowers: Fragrant, white.

Growing conditions: Ornamental evergreen tropical or sub-tropical shrub or small tree with bushy shape. The leaves are glossy green, up to 40 mm long, and the new leaves are an attractive copper colour. These plants thrive in well-drained soils, containing plenty of organic matter. They like sun all day or at least for half of the day. Water regularly in hot dry weather. Tolerates light frost.

Uses: Eat the fruit fresh, or juice. Brazilian Cherry fruit make an excellent base for flavouring jam or jellies. Crushed leaves can be used to repel insects.

Medicinal uses:

Pollination requirements: Self-Pollinating.

Harvest time Many crops each year.

Plant relatives Other Eugenia plants include the Rio Grande Cherry, Giant Lau Lau, 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 metres high by 1.5 metres wide if Planted in a Pot. Grows 2.5 metres high by 2 metres wide if Planted in the Ground.

Shipping plant pot or planter bag size: 140mm