Eugenia selloi
| Scientific name | Eugenia selloi |
|---|---|
| Common names | Pitanga-tuba |
| Genus | Eugenia |
| Family | Myrtaceae |
| Order | Myrtales |
| Habit | Evergreen shrub or small tree |
| Mature height | About 1–2 m, sometimes a small tree |
| Years to fruit | Not established; no reliable species-specific bearing-age value was found |
Eugenia selloi is an evergreen shrub or small tree from eastern Brazil, where it occurs in forest habitats. It is known in Brazil as pitanga-tuba and is grown occasionally for its edible fruit. [1][2]
Description
The plant is usually described as an evergreen shrub about 1–2 m tall, although it can become a small tree. The fruit is a berry with a thin skin and thick, succulent pulp; descriptions give white or yellow fruit about 7 cm long and 5 cm wide, with a notably acidic flavour. [2]
Cultivation
Soil and water
The species is recorded from forests in eastern Brazil. Detailed cultivation requirements, including soil texture, drainage, organic matter, acidity, irrigation, and flood tolerance, are not established in the available species account. [2]
Sun and humidity
The species account records forest habitat in eastern Brazil, but does not establish an optimum light exposure, humidity range, or airflow requirement for cultivation. [2]
Seasonal changes
A species-specific flowering calendar, seasonal water requirement, dormancy pattern, and cold limit are not established in the available cultivation record. [2]
Propagation
Seed propagation is recorded, but the available species account does not provide a dependable germination time, seed-storage tolerance, or transplanting schedule. Sow fresh seed in a clean, free-draining medium and keep it moist; treat this as a practical starting method rather than a tested protocol for every provenance. [2]
Flowering, fruiting, and harvest
A reliable flowering season, crop interval, and years-to-fruit value have not been established. Harvest ripe fruit when it has developed its mature white or yellow colour and yields readily, handling it carefully because the thin skin and soft pulp are easily damaged. The fruit is acidic and is eaten fresh or processed into juice, sherbet, or jelly. [2]
Fruit and uses
The fruit is edible and has a thick, succulent pulp with an acidic taste. It may be eaten raw or made into juices, sherbets, and jellies. [2] No medicinal use or other established non-food use is included here.
References
- ↑ [2] Useful Tropical Plants: Eugenia selloi (botanical description, range, habitat, propagation, and uses; citing Brazilian fruit literature).
Image credits
No image is used. Species-specific licensed media was not verified, and the available Commons leads depict other Eugenia species or have not been verified as Eugenia selloi.