Tropical Plant "Guabiyu"
Myrcianthes pungens

Characteristics - The guabiyu is a fruit tree widely cultivated, in domestic orchards, in the southern part of the country, and frequent in its natural habitat, the semi-deciduous, high altitude forests and the basins of Rio Parana and Rio Uruguay, in Sao Paulo and Rio Gran-de do Sul. It is a semi-deciduous tree, 12-20 m tall, with a twisted trunk and a dense crown. Leaves chartaceous, glabrous, bicolored, 3-7 cm long, with the apex pungent cuspidate (spinescent). Flowers solitary or in groups of 2-3, axillary, pedunculated, form in October-November. Fruits globose, velvety, with a succulent pulp and a sweet, pleasant flavor; they ripen in January-February.

Uses - The fruits are consumed mainly in their natural state and are greatly appreciated.

Propagation - Propagated by seeds.