Guabiyu, Pricking myrcianthes
Myrcianthes pungens

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A medium to large tree. It can be 17 m high. The trunk is usually crooked. It is 40-60 cm across. The leaves are simple and 3-7 cm long. There is a sharp point at the tip. The flowers occur singly and have long stalks. They are white and in the axils or leaves as well as at the ends of branches. The fruit is small like a strawberry guava. The pulp is red-purple coloured. The flesh is firm and sweet and slightly acid. There are 1 or 2 seed in each fruit.

There are about 50 Myrcianthes species. They grow in tropical America.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It can stand light frost. It grows naturally in high altitude forests in Argentina and Brazil. In Argentina it grows below 1,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Paraguay, Puerto Rico, South America (country/location of origin), Uruguay, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten fresh.

The fruit are popular.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed are often self sown by birds. The ripe fruit are harvested and the seeds removed, washed and dried in the shade. Fresh seed should be planted and it germinates in 30-40 days. Seedlings should be kept in light shade. They can be transplanted into the field after 8 months.

Plants grow slowly. They may reach 2 m high in 2 years.

Its other names

Local names

Guabiju, Guabiroba-acu, Guabiju-guacu, Grarajai-da-varzea, Guabiju, Guavira-guacu, Guaviyu, Iwawiyu, Mato

Synonyms

Acreugenia pungens (O. Berg.) Kausel; Eugenia pungens O. Berg.; Eugenia ybaviyu Parodi; Luma pungens (O. Berg) Herter;