Guamirim-ferro, Guamirim
Neomitranthes gemballae

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 6-12 m high. The trunk is erect and 20-30 cm across. The bark is rough and dark. The leaves are 5-8 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. The flowers occur singly in the axils of leaves. They are white. The fruit is a smooth berry that turns black when ripe. It has one seed.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in humid forests near the Atlantic in Brazil.

Countries/locations it is found in

Brazil (country/location of origin), South America

How it is used for food

The sweet succulent fruit are eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

The plants are grown from seeds. The seeds are collected from ripe fruit by shaking the branches and collecting the fruit on canvas then the fruit are allowed to decompose and the seeds washed out under running water. Seeds need to be planted fresh and preferably in light shade. Seedlings emerge in 20-30 days.

Plants grow slowly.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Mytranthes gemballae D. Legrand;