Chilean guava
Ugni molinae

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A small evergreen shrub. It grows up to 1-1.8 m tall. It spreads 0.9 m wide. The stems are wiry. They are red. The leaves are deep green and glossy. The flowers are urn shaped. The flowers are cream with pink tints. There are 40-60 tiny stamen at the centre. The fruit is similar to cranberry. The fruit are rich red and round. They are 2-3 cm across.

There are 10 Ugni species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It will grow in most soils. It is tolerant of moderate frosts. It needs acid soil. It cannot tolerate lime. They do best in cool, moist, humus-rich soils. The soils need to be well-drained. They can grow in sun or part shade. In Argentina it grows between 700-1,500 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 8-10. Hobart Botanical Gardens. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Australia, Bolivia (country/location of origin), Chile (country/location of origin), New Zealand, South America, Tasmania

How it is used for food

The fruit are used for jellies, jam, sauce, drinks and wine. They can be eaten raw. The leaves are used to flavour water. The seeds are used as a coffee substitute.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds - coffee, leaves - flavouring, leaves - tea

How it is grown

It is grown from 13 cm long cuttings. It can also be grown by layering and from seed.

Bushes bear in 2 years.

Its other names

Local names

Chilean cranberry, Chilean guava myrtle, Cranberry, Guava myrtle, Guni, Muria, Murta, Murtilla, Murtillo, New Zealand cranberry, Strawberry myrtle, Tazziberry, Temo, Ugni, Unu

Synonyms

Myrtus molinae Barneoud ex Gay; Eugenia ugni (Molina) Hook. & Arn.; Myrtus ugni Molina; Ugni ugni (Molina) Macloskie; Ugni myrtus Macloskie;