Camu camu, Rumberry
Myrciaria dubia

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A low growing shrub. It grows to 2-3 m high but can be taller. The trunk can be 15 cm across. The leaves are oval to sword shaped. They are 4.5-12 cm long by 1.5-4.5 cm wide. It has large feathery leaves. The flowers are in the axils of leaves and have short stalks. The fruit are round and light orange colour. It can be shiny red to dark purple. Fruit are 1-3.2 cm across. It has juicy, acid sweet pulp. There are 3 kidney shaped seeds. These are 8-15 mm long.

These are one of the highest recorded Vit C plants known. It has 100 times the Vit C of orange. In is rich in anti-oxidants.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in the Amazon rainforest in swampy areas. The lower section can often be submerged in water. It grows best in hot, wet, tropical climates. It can be grown in the subtropics and can stand temperatures down to freezing. It needs plenty of moisture and can stand flooding. Trees can almost become totally flooded and still fruit. It normally grows in regions with 1,500-4,000 mm rain per year. The temperatures are about 25°C. It needs a minimum average temperature above 20°C.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Andes, Asia, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Pacific, Peru (country/location of origin), Philippines, SE Asia, South America, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The fruit are occasionally eaten fresh. More commonly they are used to flavour drinks, ice-creams and sweets. They need sweetening with sugar.

A valuable fruit. It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. The pulp is washed off the seeds and they are sown fresh.

Seedlings can take 4-5 years to begin producing fruit. A mature tree can produce 15 kg of fruit. It can be irregular fruiting.

Its other names

Local names

Araca de praia, Araza de agua, Cacari, Camocamo, Camu-camzeiro, Doubtful jaboticaba, Guayabito, Guayabo, Guayabito, Ochasa

Synonyms

Eugenia divaricata Benth.; Eugenia grandiglandulosa Kiaersk.; Myrciaria caurensis Steyerm.; Myrciaria divaricata (Benth.) O. Berg.; Myrciaria lanceolata O. Berg.; Myrciaria obscura O. Berg.; Myrciaria paraensis O. Berg; Myrciaria phillyraeoides O. Berg.; Myrciaria riedeliana O. Berg.; Myrciaria spruceana O. Berg.; Psidium dubium Kunth; Marliera macedoi D. Legrand [Invalid];