Cambuca, ambucazeiro, Cambuca-verdadeiro
Plinia edulis

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

Cambuca, Plinia edulis, is a tropical fruit tree reaching about 5-10 m high and 30-40 cm in trunk diameter. It is usually grown in Brazil and other parts of South America. It has a dense, pyramidal crown and short trunk. The bark is orange-red and thin. The leaves are simple. Flowers occur in small groups on stems and branches. Fruits are round, orange-yellow, and comprised of yellow pulp and a large seed. It is edible and can be consumed raw or cooked. There is no known medicinal use of this species. The wood is of medium durability and ideal for making tool handles, agricultural tools, cabinets, and precision instruments. The plant is grown from seeds and germination occurs in 40-100 days.

Plinia edulis is an evergreen Tree growing to 7 m (23ft) by 5 m (16ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 7

Where it is found

Lowland on alluvial plains and at the base of moist slopes, usually in dense, primary rainforests.

S. America - northern Argentina, southern Brazil.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Brazil, South America,

How it is used

Food

Rating: 4

Fruit - raw or cooked. A succulent, fleshy pulp with a delicious, sweet-acidic flavour. The fruits are up to 4cm in diameter, containing a single, large seed.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 2

Other Uses: The wood is moderately heavy, elastic, with good mechanical properties, and medium durability. It is suitable for making tool handles and other agricultural tools, precision instruments and cabinet making.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

Grows best with some shade. Prefers a deep, fertile, humus-rich soil. Plants have a high requirement for iron. A slow-growing plant.

Propagating it: Seed - it has a very short viability and so should be sown as soon as it is ripe. Sow the seed in individual containers and keep in a semi-shaded position. Germination rates are usually over 40%, with the seed sprouting within 40 - 100 days. The seed usually germinates within 1 month. Seedlings grow away slowly, but are usually ready for planting into their permanent positions within 10 months of germinating. Cuttings.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Slow

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Eugenia edulis Vell. Marlierea edulis Nied. Myrciaria edulis (Vell.) Skeels Myrciaria plicatocostata