Eugenia brasiliensis
| Eugenia brasiliensis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific name | Eugenia brasiliensis |
| Common names | Grumichama; Brazilian cherry; Brazil cherry |
| Genus | Eugenia |
| Family | Myrtaceae |
| Order | Myrtales |
| Fruit type | Berry |
| Growth form | Evergreen shrub or small tree |
| Native range | Coastal and southern Brazil, associated with Atlantic-forest regions |
| Mature size | About 10–15 m; often smaller when managed |
| Years to fruit | N/A — no dependable species-specific first-fruiting value located |
Eugenia brasiliensis Lam., commonly called grumichama, is an evergreen Myrtaceae shrub or small tree valued for its edible berries.
Description
Eugenia brasiliensis Lam., commonly called grumichama, is an evergreen Myrtaceae shrub or small tree valued for its edible berries. It is distinct from Eugenia uniflora (Surinam cherry) and from other fruits sold under Brazilian-cherry names. [1][2][3]
Distribution and habitat
Grumichama occurs in the coastal Atlantic-forest region of southern Brazil, including alluvial plains and gentle slopes. These habitats indicate a warm, humid to seasonally subtropical environment with substantial organic matter; no single elevation or rainfall limit is established. [1][3]
Cultivation
Soil and water
Alluvial and gently sloping forest sites suggest a deep, organic, moisture-holding soil with drainage. Keep the root zone evenly supplied during establishment but avoid stagnant containers or compacted wet ground. A species-specific pH target has not been established. [3]
Sun and humidity
The species is grown in humid tropical to subtropical conditions and can be managed as a compact fruit tree. Give established plants strong light, with protection from severe drying exposure while young; no numeric humidity requirement was located. [3]
Seasonal changes
No universal flowering or harvest calendar, dormancy response, or dry-season irrigation schedule is established for the species. In a subtropical site, protect young plants from cold and drying winds and keep moisture steady during active growth; record local flowering and fruiting rather than transferring a calendar from another Eugenia. [3]
Propagation
Fresh seed is the principal documented method. The secondary account describes short seed viability and germination in roughly 30–60 days, but those figures depend on fruit maturity, freshness, medium, and temperature; dry or old seed should not be expected to behave the same way. [3]
Flowering, fruiting, and harvest
The edible berry is valued for fresh use. A dependable maturity index, harvest interval, storage life, and first-fruiting age have not been established, so regional observations should retain their local context. [3]
Fruit and uses
Ripe fruit is eaten fresh. Medicinal or concentrated-preparation uses are not documented, and a nursery name or single photographed fruit is not evidence for every grumichama selection. [3]
Photos
References
Image credits
- Wikifruit-Eugenia-brasiliensis-01.jpg — Unripe grumichama fruit (Eugenia brasiliensis); the Commons file description identifies the species and fruit stage. Creator: JeffreyN06; license: CC0. Commons file page.
- Wikifruit-Eugenia-brasiliensis-02.jpg — Eugenia brasiliensis habit at Enchanting Floral Gardens of Kula, Maui; the Commons file description identifies the species. Creator: Forest & Kim Starr; license: CC BY 3.0. Commons file page.
