Tropical Plant "Cherry of the Rio Grande"
Eugenia involucrata

Characteristics - The cherry of the Rio Grande is cultivated in domestic orchards, mainly in south and southeastern Brazil This area is also its natural habitat, in the high-altitude semi-deciduous forests. It is also cultivated in other countries where it is erroneously designated as E. aggregata Veil, (a junior synonym). It is a deciduous tree, 8-14 m tall. Leaves are chartaceous, glabrous, 5-9 cm, with discreet veining. Flowers solitary, axillary, white and fragrant with a 1 -3 cm peduncle, form in Sept-Nov. Fruits are oblong, glabrous and shiny, crowned by upright sepals. The pulp is thick, carnose-succulent with a very pleasant sweet or sweet-acidic flavor. They mature in Nov.-Jan. The following page shows its mamformas.

Uses - The fruits are consumed "au naturel" and in jellies that are greatly appreciated.

Propagation - Propagated by seeds.