Tropical Plant "Cagaita"
Eugenia dysenterica

Characteristics - The cagaita is not a cultivated fruit tree, nevertheless it is abundant in nature in its native habitat, the high altitude savannas and barren lands of Bahia, Tocantins, Goias, Minas Gerais, Sao Paulo and Mato Grosso do Sul. It is a deciduous tree, about 4-8 m tall with a short trunk and the bark is characteristically split. Immature leaves are reddish-purple then coriaceous, glabrous on both surfaces, shiny on the top, aromatic, 4-9 cm long. Flowers are white, solitary or joined in axillary fascicles of 3-6, they form in August-September. Fruits are tomentose, with a thick pulp, carnose-succu-lent, with a pleasant acidic flavor, they may have a laxative effect if eaten in quantity or harvested off the ground. Ripening occurs in October-November.

Uses - The fruits are mainly consumed "au na-turel" and appreciated very much by some.

Propagation - Propagated by seeds.