Guabiyu
Myrcianthes pungens

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

Endemic to Brazil, Guabiyu or Myrcianthes pungens is a semi-deciduous and slow-growing tree growing up to 20 m in height. It has a dense and round canopy and a crooked bole that can be about 40 cm in diameter. The leaves are simple and pointed. The flowers are white and located at the leaf axils. Guabiyu is grown throughout the southern part of South America mainly for its edible fruits and timber though it also has medicinal uses. The fruit’s succulent and juicy pulp has a sweet flavor. The wood is heavy, highly durable, and used for cabinet making, turnery, construction, tool handles, etc.

Myrcianthes pungens is a deciduous Tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 15 m (49ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Bees. 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): 15

Where it is found

Semi-deciduous forests, the humid understorey of Araucaria forests and on open rocky slopes.

Southern S. America - Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, southern and eastern Brazil and Bolivia.

Conservation Status: Status: Endangered B1+2c

Countries/locations it is found in

Brazil; Bolivia, Plurinational State of, Argentina, Paraguay, South America, Uruguay,

How it is used

Food

Rating: 4

Fruit - raw. A succulent, juicy pulp with a sweet, pleasant flavour. The dark purple, globose fruit is up to 25mm in diameter.

Medicine

Rating: 1

The leaves are used medicinally.

Miscellany: Various medicinal actions that need more clarification.

Other

Rating: 2

Other Uses The wood is straight-grained, compact, heavy, very elastic and very durable. It is used for fine cabinet making, turnery, construction, tool handles etc. The wood is used to make charcoal.

Charcoal: Used for fuel, drawing, deodorant, filter, fertilizer etc.

Containers: Plants, such as gourds, that can be used as containers. Does not include baskets or containers made from wood.

Fuel: Usually wood, plant materials that have been mentioned as being a good fuel.

Furniture: A few miscellaneous uses that do not fit easily into other headings.

Miscellany: A rag-bag of items that are difficult to categorise.

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

A plant of tropical and subtropical areas, mainly at higher elevations up to 2,200 metres in the tropics. Prefers a position in dappled shade. A fairly slow-growing plant, it is less than 2 metres tall when 2 years old.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed or in individual containers. A germination rate in excess of 50% can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 30 - 40 days. Seedlings develop slowly and will take at least another 8 months before being ready to plant out.

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

Guabiyu, arrayán, guabijú, guabirá, guabiyú, ibaviyú, mato.

Synonyms

Acreugenia pungens (O.Berg) Kausel Eugenia pungens O.Berg Eugenia ybaviyu Parodi Luma pungens (O.Ber