Eugenia bukobensis

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows up to 5 m tall. The branches hang downwards. The stems can be hairy. The bark is smooth. The leaves are dull green and opposite. They are oval and 2-7 cm long. The tip is drawn out but the end is blunt. The leaf stalk is short. The leaves are thin and when crushed they have a sweet smell. The flowers occur as 3-9 together on thin stalks next to the leaves. There are 4-5 white sweet smelling petals. The fruit is purple black and about 1.5 cm across. As it ripens it turns hard brown like a coffee berry and has a crown of flower parts at the end.

There are about 550 Eugenia species. They are mostly in tropical and subtropical South America. The name Eugenia bukobensis is probably conserved. See Taxon reference.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in Uganda. It is often at the edge of the forest.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, South Africa, Southern Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are fleshy and sweet. They are eaten as a snack.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

It is normally grown from seed. Seed can be stored for 4 months. Seed treatment is not necessary. It can be grown as a hedge or fence.

Ripe fruit are collected from June to December.

Its other names

Local names

Golasit, Kabikabika, Satol

Synonyms

Eugenia capensis var. natalensis;