Pitomba
Eugenia luschnathiana

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows up to 9 m tall and spreading about 5 m wide. The bark is mottled brown. It has glossy leaves. They are dark green above and pale green underneath. It is evergreen. The fruit are yellow and about 2.5 cm long. They contain 1 to 4 seeds. They have a rose smell.

There are about 550 Eugenia species. They are mostly in tropical and subtropical South America.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is native to Brazil. It can grow in subtropical climates but produces a slower growing smaller tree. It can grow on various types of soils. It cannot tolerate alkaline soils. It does best in deep, humid acid soils. It can be grafted onto Eugenia uniflora which can tolerate alkaline soils. It cannot tolerate waterlogging. It cannot tolerate drought especially at flowering and fruiting. It suits hardiness zones 9-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Cuba, Mexico, South America, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. They can be used for jams and jellies. The seeds are roasted and eaten.

It is a popular fruit. It is a cultivated fruit tree.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

It is commonly grown from seed. It can be grafted using veneer grafts. Seeds are collected from ripe fruit and the pulp removed. Seeds are planted fresh. They are best in part shade. Seedlings emerge in 40-50 days.

It is fairly slow growing. Grafted trees take 3-4 years before producing fruit while seedling trees take 6-9 years to fruiting. Fruit mature after 4-6 weeks from flowering.

Its other names

Local names

Cucuiri, Uvalha de Campa, Uvalheira

Synonyms

Eugenia lucescens Nied.; Phyllocalyx luschnathianum O.Berg.;