Araza, Araca-boi
Eugenia stipitata

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It is 2-5 m tall. The tree branches from the base. The leaves are simple, opposite and oval. They are 6-18 cm long by 3.5-9.5 cm wide. The base is rounded or slightly heart shaped. The flowers are in the axils of leaves in groups. There are usually 2-5 yellow flowers 1 cm wide. The fruit is the size of a large sized guava. They can be 12-14 cm wide. They are bright yellow. The pulp is sour-acid and pleasant. Pollination is by insects. Fruit contain 8-10 irregular shaped seeds.

They are high in Vitamin C - 2x oranges. There are about 550 Eugenia species. They are mostly in tropical and subtropical South America. It has high antioxidant activity.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows best in a dry tropical climate. It can stand some cold for short periods. It grows naturally in the non flooding areas of the Amazon in Brazil. It grows in regions with a temperature of 26°C. The rainfall is 2000-2500 mm per year. It suits an open location.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, South America, USA, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The fruit are sometimes eaten fresh but they are acidic. They are more commonly used to flavour sweets, ice-cream and drinks. Normally the fruit need to be sweetened before eating.

It is sold in local markets. It is a cultivated fruit tree.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed, air-layering, grafting or budding. Fresh seed should be used. Stored seeds are difficult to get to germinate.

Seedlings grows slowly at first. Fruit mature quickly so need to be harvested readily. A fruit can weigh 740 g. The production can be 20-30 tonnes per hectare per year.

Its other names

Local names

Arari, Arasa, Araza, Guayaba brasilera, Jo'yaarari, Kamush, Membrillo del oriente, Membrillo silvestre, Pichi, Uba-caxi

Synonyms

Eugenia stipitata subsp. stipitata;