Psidium myrtoides
| Scientific name | Psidium myrtoides |
|---|---|
| Common names | Araçá; araçá-roxo; camu-camu-da-mata-atlântica |
| Genus | Psidium |
| Family | Myrtaceae |
| Order | Myrtales |
| Growth form | Semideciduous tree, 4–8 m tall |
| Native range | Eastern and central Brazil |
| Climate/site | Seasonal Atlantic and littoral rainforest; higher ground with deep, fertile, well-drained clay soil |
| Propagation | Fresh seed; sow promptly in partial shade |
| Fruit | Red to greenish-yellow, globose, up to about 25 mm; sweetish fleshy pulp |
| Harvest | Eat ripe fruit fresh; regional timing is not established |
| Years to fruit | Not established; no dependable cultivated value found |
Psidium myrtoides is a Brazilian tree in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. GBIF records the name as an exact accepted species match in the genus Psidium, family Myrtaceae, and order Myrtales.[1] Portuguese vernacular records include araçá, araçá-roxo, and camu-camu-da-mata-atlântica.[2]
Description[edit | edit source]
Psidium myrtoides is a semideciduous tree with an elongate crown, reaching about 4–8 m in height and 20–35 cm in trunk diameter. Its recorded range is eastern and central Brazil, especially primary Atlantic and littoral rainforest on higher ground with deep, fertile, well-drained clay soils.[3]
The fruit is globose and may reach about 25 mm in diameter. It changes from red to greenish-yellow and contains several small, hard seeds. The pulp is fleshy and sweetish.[3]
Cultivation[edit | edit source]
This species is a wild food tree rather than a standardized commercial orchard crop. Its native setting combines warm, humid forest conditions with a seasonal wet–dry rhythm; cultivation should retain moisture during active growth while avoiding prolonged saturation around the roots.[3]
Soil and water[edit | edit source]
Deep, fertile, well-drained clay soils on higher ground are the documented habitat. A planting site should provide organic matter and reliable drainage, with irrigation increased during the dry part of the seasonal cycle and reduced when rainfall keeps the root zone moist. A species-specific soil-pH target and irrigation volume are not established.[3]
Sun and humidity[edit | edit source]
The species grows in Atlantic and littoral rainforest, but the account also records success in full sun and dappled shade. Young plants can be acclimatized gradually; established trees should have airflow and protection from severe drying winds rather than being treated as an arid-climate plant.[4]
Seasonal changes[edit | edit source]
Semideciduous growth indicates some seasonal leaf loss. The available species account does not establish flowering months, fruiting months, or a fixed harvest calendar, so irrigation should follow rainfall and observed growth: maintain even moisture through active growth and avoid forcing soft new growth immediately before a dry or cool period.[3]
Propagation[edit | edit source]
Fresh seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded nursery bed. Low germination may occur, with sprouting expected within a few weeks. Pot seedlings individually at about 5–7 cm tall; a precise storage life, germination percentage, and transplanting schedule are not established for this species.[3]
Flowering, fruiting, and harvest[edit | edit source]
The species bears small fleshy fruits, but years to first fruit in cultivation, flowering dates, fruiting dates, and yield are not established as dependable species-wide values. Harvest fruit when its color and softness indicate ripeness, and use local observations to set the seasonal picking period.[3]
Fruit and uses[edit | edit source]
The ripe fruit is eaten raw. The pulp is sweetish and fleshy, while the fruit contains several small, hard seeds. No broader processing, medicinal use, or species-specific safety guidance is established in the cited botanical account.[3]
References[edit | edit source]
Image credits[edit | edit source]
No suitable distinct licensed image was used because individual file subject and rendered-image verification were not completed.