Eugenia rhombea (Red Stopper)

Eugenia rhombea (Red Stopper) with round dark purple and red fruit, close up view.
Eugenia rhombea (Red Stopper) branches with small, round, dark purple and red ripening fruit clusters.

Botanical name: Eugenia rhombea

Common name: Red Stopper

Family: Myrtaceae

Origin: North America

USDA Plant Hardiness Map

USDA Zone: 9-11

Plant type: Fruit
Fruit type: Eugenia
Large shrub 5-10 ft tallSmall tree 10-20 ftPlant form: Large bush or small tree
Plant mature sizeMature height: 10-20 ft
Full sunSun exposure: Full sun or bright light indoor
Subtropical plant. Mature plant cold hardy at least to 30s F for a short timeCold tolerance: Tolerates light freezing to about 30°F for short periods (mature plants). Young plants must be protected.
Watering: Regular. Let topsoil dry slightlyWatering: Regular
Suitable forSuitable for: Outdoors in the suitable USDA zone; small gardens, containers, and indoor growing
Fragrant plantFragrance: Fragrant; perfume plant

Eugenia rhombea, commonly known in Florida as "Red Stopper", is one of four species of Eugenia native to North America. It is a beautiful small tree, bearing small shiny deep green leaves which are pinkish-orange-red when young, giving them the appearance of a flowering tree at a distance when flushing out new growth a number of times a year.

Its native range includes Florida, Bahamas, Cuba, Hispaniola and part of Eastern Central America. However, here in Florida, it is federally listed as an endangered species, only known from the lowermost Everglades and Keys, where even there it is rare.

These elegant little trees grow to perhaps 12 or so feet tall, developing an elegant, umbrella shaped canopy. At a distance, they rather resemble Ficus benjamina, yet with a more orderly and refined appearance. In addition, they develop fluffy white flowers with a delightful fragrance, followed by holly-like long lasting red berries which are relished by wonderful song birds.

Although appearing delicate, this tropical species is surprisingly hardy, and would likely even make striking, a one-of-a-kind houseplant in the North.

See Article about Eugenia rhombea.

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Image gallery: 13 images
Eugenia rhombea (Red Stopper) with mottled tan brown bark on a textured tree trunk.
Eugenia rhombea (Red Stopper) bark surface with smooth tan and brown sections on the trunk.
Eugenia rhombea (Red Stopper) with light tan bark and dense green leaves on tree
Eugenia rhombea (Red Stopper) tree with light tan bark and many thick dark green leaves.
Eugenia rhombea (Red Stopper) dark purple fruit on a branch, close up photography.
Eugenia rhombea (Red Stopper) with dark purple fruit ripening among smooth green leaves on branches.
Eugenia rhombea (Red Stopper) round pink and yellow fruit hanging from green leafy branch
Eugenia rhombea (Red Stopper) fruit hanging with rounded skin near green leaves on thin stems
Eugenia rhombea (Red Stopper) yellow and purple fruit among green leaves close up
Eugenia rhombea (Red Stopper) with yellow and purple fruit ripening between rounded green leaves.
Eugenia rhombea (Red Stopper) with yellow fruit and green leaves hanging from a tree branch
Eugenia rhombea (Red Stopper) hanging heavy with yellow fruit among smooth green pointed leaves on branches.
Eugenia rhombea (Red Stopper) with dark red fruit and green leaves in close up.
Eugenia rhombea (Red Stopper) round fruit maturing to dark red among simple pointed green leaves.
Eugenia rhombea (Red Stopper) with round magenta fruit and glossy green pointed oval leaves
Eugenia rhombea (Red Stopper) shows off round magenta fruit among dense glossy green oval leaves.
Eugenia rhombea (Red Stopper) yellow and pink fruit on a close up branch
Eugenia rhombea (Red Stopper) with a solitary yellow and pink fruit hanging from a branch.
Eugenia rhombea (Red Stopper) with round purple and yellow fruit on thick green leaves.
Eugenia rhombea (Red Stopper) bearing small round fruit with contrasting purple and yellow skin tones.
Eugenia rhombea (Red Stopper) with red, yellow, and green fruit in a close up.
Eugenia rhombea (Red Stopper) with round fruit changing color from green to yellow and red.
Eugenia rhombea (Red Stopper) with round dark purple fruit and smooth green oval leaves
Eugenia rhombea (Red Stopper) showing small dark purple fruit nestled among smooth green oval leaves
Eugenia rhombea (Red Stopper) with yellow fruit and green leaves on a dense tree branch
Eugenia rhombea (Red Stopper) showing yellow fruit ripening among lush green leaves on woody branches


Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/eugenia_rhombea.htm
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