Brazilian Cherry

Eugenia uniflora

Alternative Name(s): Eugenia brasiliana, Surinam Cherry.

Family: Myrtaceae.

Form: Tree

Origin: Native to northern Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.

Flowers/Seedhead: Usually single (up to 4) on stalks 0.5–4 cm long. Flowers autumn to spring depending on location and rainfall.

Description: Small tree or shrub to 3 (rarely to 8) m high. Leaves ovate to ovate-lanceolate, leathery, 2.5–7 cm long, 1.5–4 cm wide, bronze when young to dark green and glossy when older, on a stalk 2–5 mm long. Fruit initially green, then yellow, ripening red, 1–4 cm wide, usually with one seed but up to 3. Seeds pale brown, 0.8–1.5 cm long.

Distinguishing features: Distinguished by aromatic opposite leaves mostly 3–6 cm long; flowers with 4 white petals 7–8 mm long and numerous white stamens with pale yellow anthers; 7- or 8-ribbed edible fruit that ripen bright to dark red.

Dispersal: Spread by animal-dispersed seed.