Eugenia uniflora L., 1753

Common name(s): Surinam Cherry, Pitanga, Brazilain Cherry, Cayenne Cherry, Suriname Cherry

Family: Myrtaceae Synonym(s): Eugenia arechavaletae Herter, Eugenia costata Cambess., Eugenia dasyblasta O.Berg, Nied. Eugenia decidua Merr., Eugenia indica Nicheli, Eugenia lacustris Barb.,Rodr., Eugenia michelii Lam., Eugenia microphylla Barb. Rodr., Eugenia myrtifolia Salisb., Eugenia oblongifolia O.Berg, Arechav., Eugenia oblongifolia O.Berg, Nied. nom. illeg., Eugenia strigosa O.Berg, Arechav., Eugenia willdenowii Spreng., DC. nom. illeg., Eugenia zeylanica Willd., Luma arechavaletae Herter, Herter, Luma costata Cambess., Herter, Luma dasyblasta O.Berg, Herter, Luma strigosa O.Berg, Herter, Myrtus brasiliana L., Myrtus willdenowii Spreng., Plinia pedunculata L.f. Plinia petiolata L. nom. illeg., Plinia rubra L., Plinia tetrapetala L., Stenocalyx affinis O.Berg, Stenocalyx brunneus O.Berg, Stenocalyx costatus Cambess., O.Berg, Stenocalyx dasyblastus O.Berg, Stenocalyx glaber O.Berg, Stenocalyx impunctatus O.Berg, Stenocalyx lucidus O.Berg

Plant

Taken by Ken Harrington on 6th January, 2020 at Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Queensland

Bark (Lower)

Taken by Ken Harrington

Juvenile Leaf

Taken by Ken Harrington

Leaf (Front)

Taken by Ken Harrington

Flowers

Taken by Unkown

Fruit

Taken by Unknown Photographer

Expand all

Plant Properties

Origin(s)

Argentina

Argentina: Indigenous

Bolivia, Plurinational State of

Bolivia: Indigenous

Brazil

Brazil: Indigenous

Guinea-Bissau

Guinea-Bis: Indigenous

Paraguay

Paraguay: Indigenous

Suriname

Suriname: Indigenous

Uruguay

Uruguay: Indigenous

Plant Type

Evergreen Fruit Shrub , Evergreen Fruit Tree

Evergreen Fruit Shrub,

Evergreen Fruit Tree

Climate Range(s) - Habitat

Tropical-Sub, Tropical

Tropical-Sub,

Tropical

Climate Range(s) - Tolerance

Temperate Warm, Mediterranean, Tropical-Sub, Tropical, Tropical Monsoon

Temperate Warm,

Mediterranean,

Tropical-Sub,

Tropical,

Tropical Monsoon

Aspect Range(s)

Sun - Full, Shade - Light

Sun - Full,

Shade - Light

Habitat Range(s)

Deciduous Forests-Sub tropical, Deciduous Forests-Tropical, Rainforest - Sub-tropical, Rainforest - Tropical

Deciduous Forests-Sub tropical,

Deciduous Forests-Tropical,

Rainforest - Sub-tropical,

Rainforest - Tropical

Habitat Zone(s)

Forest Margins, Coastal margins, Foothills, Gullies / Valley's / Canyon's, Moist areas, Moist Slopes, Open areas, Riparian areas, Sandy Moist, Scattered, Understory, Water sides, Well drained, Wet Pockets, Wind Protected

Forest Margins,

Coastal margins,

Foothills,

Gullies / Valley's / Canyon's,

Moist areas,

Moist Slopes,

Open areas,

Riparian areas,

Sandy Moist,

Scattered,

Understory,

Water sides,

Well drained,

Wet Pockets,

Wind Protected

Mature Height

5-6m, 6-7m, 7-8m

5-6m,

6-7m,

7-8m

Mature Width

2.5-3m, 3-4m, 4-5m

2.5-3m,

3-4m,

4-5m

Plant Shape

Bun - Narrow

Conical

Bun - Narrow,

Conical

Growth Rate

Slow

Maturity

6-8 yrs

Life Span

30-50yrs, 50-75yrs, 75-100yrs., 100-150yrs

30-50yrs,

50-75yrs,

75-100yrs.,

100-150yrs

Leaf Properties

Juvenile Leaf Colour(s) (front)

Brown-red, Glossy

Brown-red,

Glossy

Juvenile Leaf Colour(s) (back)

Brown-red

Juvenile Leaf Shape(s)

Ovate

Juvenile Leaf Texture (front)

Glabrous

Smooth

Glabrous,

Smooth

Juvenile Leaf Texture (back)

Glabrous

Smooth

Glabrous,

Smooth

Juvenile Leaf Margin

Entire

Juvenile Leaf Attachment

Petiolate

Juvenile Leaf Apice(s)

Acute Broadly

Acute Narrowly

Acute Broadly,

Acute Narrowly

Juvenile Leaf Base(s)

Cuneate

Obtuse

Cuneate,

Obtuse

Juvenile Leaf Cross Section

Flat

Juvenile Leaf Aroma

Spicy-Slight

Juvenile Leaf Arrangement

Opposite & Decussate

Colour (front)

Glossy, Green Dark

Glossy,

Green Dark

Colour (back)

Green

Colour(s) Winter

Red Dark, Red-brown, Red

Red Dark,

Red-brown,

Red

Shape(s)

Lanceolate

Oval

Ovate

Lanceolate,

Oval,

Ovate

Aroma

Spicy-Moderate

Texture (front)

Glabrous

Smooth

Glabrous,

Smooth

Texture (back)

Glabrous

Smooth

Glabrous,

Smooth

Leaf Length(s)

30-40mm, 40-50mm

30-40mm,

40-50mm

Leaf Width(s)

15-20mm, 20-25mm, 25-30mm

15-20mm,

20-25mm,

25-30mm

Margin

Entire

Cross Section(s)

Corrugated / Wavy

Flat

Corrugated / Wavy,

Flat

Venation(s)

Pinnate Cladodromous

Pinnate

Pinnate Cladodromous,

Pinnate

Main veins 5 , Main veins 6 , Main veins 7 , Main veins 8 , Main veins 9

Main veins 5,

Main veins 6,

Main veins 7,

Main veins 8,

Main veins 9

Arrangement

Opposite & Decussate

Apice(s)

Acute Broadly

Acute Narrowly

Acute Broadly,

Acute Narrowly

Base(s)

Cuneate

Obtuse

Cuneate,

Obtuse

Attachment

Petiolate

Petiole Length

1-2mm

Petiole Cross Section

Terete

Petiole Colour

Green

Bark / Stem / Culm Properties

Colour(s) Upper

Brown , Brown-red

Brown,

Brown-red

Colour(s) Lower

Grey Light, Grey-brown

Grey Light,

Grey-brown

Texture(s) Upper

Glabrous

Smooth

Glabrous,

Smooth

Textures(s) Lower

Glabrous

Smooth

Glabrous,

Smooth

Trunk / Stem Construction(s)

Wood Fibres / Solid

Trunk / Stem / Culm Cross Section

Terete

Trunk / Stem Feature(s)

Bark - Sheds, Short Strips , Stemmed-multi , Stemmed-single

Bark - Sheds, Short Strips,

Stemmed-multi,

Stemmed-single

Flower Properties

Gender: Bisexual

Time(s)

Spring Late - Summer Mid

Flower Colour(s)

White

Flower Shape(s)

Stellate

Recurved

Stellate,

Recurved

Flower Size(s) Width

20-25mm, 25-30mm

20-25mm,

25-30mm

Petal Size

8-9mm, 9-10mm

8-9mm,

9-10mm

Petal Shape(s)

Obovate

Spathulate

Obovate,

Spathulate

Aroma(s)

Sweet-slight

Attachment

Pedicelate

Pedicel Size (flower stem)

20-25mm

Pedicel Colour

Green

Pedicel Texture

Glabrous

Arrangement(s)

Axillary

Flowers per Arrangement

1-2, 2-3, 3-4

1-2,

2-3,

3-4

Pollinator(s)

Bats, Bees, Birds, Butterflies

Bats,

Bees,

Birds,

Butterflies

Stamen Colour(s)

White

Stamen Length

5-7.5mm, 7.5-10mm

5-7.5mm,

7.5-10mm

Anther Colour(s)

Yellow

Petal Number

Stamen Number

50-70

Fruit Properties

Type

Bacca

Axillary , Pendulous

Axillary,

Pendulous

Shape(s)

Globose-sub

Outer Colour(s)

Black, Glossy, Orange, Purple, Red

Black,

Glossy,

Orange,

Purple,

Red

Outer Texture

Glabrous

Ribbed

Smooth

Waxy

Glabrous,

Ribbed,

Smooth,

Waxy

Ribbed-Deeply

Length

20-25mm, 25-30mm, 30-40mm

20-25mm,

25-30mm,

30-40mm

Aroma

Spicy-Slight

Season of Fruiting

Spring, Summer, Autumn Early

Spring,

Summer,

Autumn Early

Maturation for Fruiting

3 yrs., 4 yrs.

3 yrs.,

4 yrs.

Seed Properties

Type

Achene

Colour(s)

Brown Light

Seed Appendage

Flesh

Seed Dispersal

Animals, Birds

Animals,

Birds

Seed Number

1-3

Root Properties

Type

Fibrous

Plate

Fibrous,

Plate

Invasiveness

Medium

Soil Properties

Type(s)

Clay-loam, Loam, Sandy-loam, Stony, Calcareous, Hummus Rich, Organic Matter

Clay-loam,

Loam,

Sandy-loam,

Stony,

Calcareous,

Hummus Rich,

Organic Matter

pH Range(s)

Acid, Slightly Acid, Neutral, Slightly Alkaline, Alkaline

Acid,

Slightly Acid,

Neutral,

Slightly Alkaline,

Alkaline

Condition(s)

Damp

Moist

Damp,

Moist

Fertile , Deep , Well Drained

Fertile,

Deep,

Well Drained

Salinities

Slight

Waterlogging Class

W0 – Low tolerance

Watering Requirements

WR2 - keep soil moist but never soggy, WR3 - never let soil dry out

WR2 - keep soil moist but never soggy,

WR3 - never let soil dry out

Other Properties / Uses

Bee Attraction

Moderate

Bird Attraction

Nectar, Insect, Fruit, Habitat

Nectar,

Insect,

Fruit,

Habitat

Butterfly Attraction

Moderate

Frog Habitat

None

Carbon Sequestration Potential

Very Low

Wood Density

Low 200 - 400 kg/c.m.

Coastal

2nd Line

Edible(s)

Fruit, Leaves

Fruit,

Leaves

Fire Regeneration(s)

None

Fire Retarding

Moderate

Drought Tolerance

Poor

Frost Tolerance

Poor

Snow Tolerance

None

Minimum Temperature Tolerance

4 - 6°C

Indigenous Use(s)

Berry - Dried, Leaves - Insect repellant, Berry - Eaten cooked, Berry - Eaten raw, Leaves - Eaten cooked, Leaves - Eaten raw, Leaves - Traditional medicine

Berry - Dried,

Leaves - Insect repellant,

Berry - Eaten cooked,

Berry - Eaten raw,

Leaves - Eaten cooked,

Leaves - Eaten raw,

Leaves - Traditional medicine

Landscape Use

Good

Street Use

None

Commercial Use(s)

Berry - Eaten cooked, Berry - Eaten raw, Horticulture - Amenity, Horticulture - Food Production

Berry - Eaten cooked,

Berry - Eaten raw,

Horticulture - Amenity,

Horticulture - Food Production

Maintenance(s)

Pruning - Formative, Pruning - Shaping

Pruning - Formative,

Pruning - Shaping

Pests/Diseases

Caterpillars, Scale

Caterpillars,

Scale

Special Purpose(s)

Coppiced, Drain Clogger, Fire Retarding, Flowers-aromatic, Fruit-decorative, Garden-Bali, Garden-Courtyard, Garden-Edible, Garden-Foliage, Garden-Formal, Garden-Informal, Garden-Orchard, Garden-Pottager, Garden-Rainforest, Garden-Tropical, Garden-Woodland, Hedge-formal, Hedge-informal, Litter Issue - Fruit, Playground Friendly, Shade Tolerant, Shady Moist, Soil Binder, Specimen, Sunny Moist, Tolerant-Deer, Tolerant-Kangaroo's, Tolerant-Rabbits/Hares, Windbreak

Coppiced,

Drain Clogger,

Fire Retarding,

Flowers-aromatic,

Fruit-decorative,

Garden-Bali,

Garden-Courtyard,

Garden-Edible,

Garden-Foliage,

Garden-Formal,

Garden-Informal,

Garden-Orchard,

Garden-Pottager,

Garden-Rainforest,

Garden-Tropical,

Garden-Woodland,

Hedge-formal,

Hedge-informal,

Litter Issue - Fruit,

Playground Friendly,

Shade Tolerant,

Shady Moist,

Soil Binder,

Specimen,

Sunny Moist,

Tolerant-Deer,

Tolerant-Kangaroo's,

Tolerant-Rabbits/Hares,

Windbreak

Dormancy

Winter

Humidity Requirements

Medium, High, Very High

Medium,

High,

Very High

Vulnerability

LC - Least Concern

Altitude Range - Habitat

0-100m, 100-200m, 200-300m, 300-400m, 400-500m, 500-600m, 600-700m, 700-800m, 800-900m, 900-1,000m, 1,000-1,250m, 1,250-1,500m, 1,500-1,750m, 1,750-2,000m

0-100m,

100-200m,

200-300m,

300-400m,

400-500m,

500-600m,

600-700m,

700-800m,

800-900m,

900-1,000m,

1,000-1,250m,

1,250-1,500m,

1,500-1,750m,

1,750-2,000m

Annual Precipitation Range

900mm, 950mm, 1,000mm, 1,100mm, 1,200mm, 1,300mm, 1,400mm, 1,5oomm, 1,600mm, 1,700mm, 1,800mm, 1,900mm, 2,000mm, 2,200mm

900mm,

950mm,

1,000mm,

1,100mm,

1,200mm,

1,300mm,

1,400mm,

1,5oomm,

1,600mm,

1,700mm,

1,800mm,

1,900mm,

2,000mm,

2,200mm

Fertilising Requirements

FR5, FR6

FR5,

FR6

Wind Tolerance

Moderate Winds

Propagation

Fresh Seed, Side Grafting, Semi-hardwood Cuttings

Weed Potential(s)

Australia

QLD: Environmental Weed

Papua New Guinea

PNG: Naturalised

South Africa

South Afri: Naturalised

United States

Hawaii: Naturalised
Florida: Naturalised

General Notes

A very ornamental, lush, fruiting shrub - small tree that can fruit twice a year in tropcal or sub-tropical climates. Pruned bushes can yield 2.5-3.5 kg of fruit per plant, unpruned bushes can yield up to twice that amount. Pick fruit as it virtually falls off the bush and use in that day or refrigrate for up to a week. The fruit is very high in vitamin C and can be eaten fresh or made into juice, jams, pies, jelly or the juice can be fermented into vinegar or wine. Can be used as a screen, hedge or specimen plant. Prune after 6-7 years for shape to improve harvest.

Several cultivars are available with differing coloured fruit and taste from sweet to tart.

Eugenia uniflora 'Black Star', ripe fruit black
Eugenia uniflora 'Lolita', ripe fruit bright red
Eugenia uniflora 'Zill Dark', ripe fruit purple

Propagation Notes

Expand all

Fresh Seed

Flowering

Spring, Summer, Autumn

Seed Collecting

Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn

Sowing

Spring

Material Preparation

Pick fruit once ripened, squash the fruit to remove the seeds. Wash the seed in water and solvol soap mix to remove any remaining flesh. Place on paper towel and allow to dry throughly. Store in a cool dark place.

Viability:- 1 month

Seeds/gram:-

Propagating Mix

Premium Seed Raising Mix

Treatment

Sow fresh seed, cover with thin layer of soil and then fine gravel, keep moist, place outside in a warm sunny position. In cooler climates place in a hot house on 21° heated bed with misters. Maintain hothouse environment between 50-75% humidity and temperature between 20-30° C. Spray weekly with fungicide. Keep in bright but indirect light.

Viable seeds/gram:-

Germination time:- fresh 3-8 weeks

Pricking out:- 3-4 weeks after germination

Tube Mix:- Premium Seed Raising Mix

Semi-hardwood Cuttings

Flowering

Spring, Summer, Autumn

Cutting

Summer Early, Spring Late

Material Preparation

Firm wood current seasons growth tip or stem cuttings approx. 100 - 150mm long. Cut just below bottom node and just above top node. Remove lower 2/3 of the leaves, fruit and flower buds. Mist frequently to keep hydrated or place in a bowl of water

Propagating Mix

1 part Cocopeat + 1 part Perlite

Treatment

Keep hydrated during prep.. Water 140mm pot of mix thoroughly wet with Previcur fungicide. Dip bottom of cutting in Easiroot to at least the 2nd node. Using a dibber, press gently into potof mix until the cutting can stand by itself with approximately 30 - 50mm of the cutting into the mix. Mist frequently while continuing cutting process. Place on 21° heated bed with misters. Maintain hothouse environment between 50-75% humidity and temperature between 20-30° C. Spray fortnightly with fungicide. Keep in bright but indirect light.

Strike Rate:- Field Stock %

Nursery Stock %

Rooting time:- Field Stock 6 - 8 weeks

Nursery Stock 6 - 8 weeks

140mm Pot Mix:- Premium Pottinging Mix