Tropical Plant "Rainforest plum"
Eugenia candolleana

Characteristics - The rainforest plum is a fruit tree, occasionally cultivated in domestic orchards, mainly in the southeast region of the country. It is rare in nature in its natural habitat, the Atlantic Rainforest of Rio de Janeiro and Espirito Santo and in the Forest Zone of Minas Gerais. It is a deciduous tree with a sparse crown, 4-7 m tall. Leaves are lancio-late-acuminate, subcoreaceous, glabrous on both surfaces, shiny, almost bicolored, 5-9 cm long. Inflorescences axillary on short racemes, with a few, small, white flowers, form in December -January. Fruits are black and glossy, globose or oblong with a thick, carnose-suc-culent, firm pulp and have a pleasant, sweet flavor. They mature in February and March. They contain 1-2 white seeds that separate easily from the pulp.

Uses - The fruits are consumed in their natural state and in marmelades, both greatly appreciated.

Propagation - Propagated by seeds.