Escobon, Murta
Eugenia biflora

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 3-4 m high. The twigs have a brown coating amongst white hairs. The leaves are sword shaped. They are 7 cm long and 1-3 cm wide. There are 3-7 flowers in a group. The flowers are white. The fruit is a slightly flattened round berries. They are 7 mm long. They can be slightly ribbed.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In Puerto Rico it grows it grows up to 700 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andes, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Caribbean, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, North America, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, South America, Suriname, USA, Venezuela, West Indies

How it is used for food

The pulp of the fruit is eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Arrayan, Coralillo, Hoja menuda, Murtinha, Pitanguera

Synonyms

Caryophyllus fruticosus Mill.; Eugenia acuminatissima Miq. Eugenia amanuensis Steyerm.; Myrtus biflora L.;