Tropical Plant "Savanna pitanga"
Eugenia pitanga

Characteristics - The savanna pitanga is a fruit bearer, not under cultivation, however it is a relatively frequent in its natural habitat, the savannas (cerrados) and grasslands of the states of Sao Paulo, Minas Gerais and Mato Grosso do Sul. It is a shrub, rhizomatous and deciduous, less than 2 m tall, forming dense thickets. Leaves alternate or verticillate, subsessile, chartaceous or coriaceous, shiny, glabrous with translucent glands, 4-5 cm long. Flowers androgynous, white solitary or in groups of 2-5, axillary, with peduncles 1-3 cm long form in August – September. The fruits are berries, globose-costate, red and shiny, with a thick pulp, very succulent, with a pleasant acidic-sweet flavor. Ripening occurs in October and November.

Uses - The fruits are consumed in their natural state as well as being cooked and made into jellies.

Propagation - Propagated by seeds.