Eugenia braziliensis, Eugenia dombeyi

This compact tree grows to about 20 feet. It has beautiful glossy green leaves up to 3-4 inches long and one to two inches wide, with leathery texture, and the new growth is a wine reddish color before it matures. During the early spring, one white one-inch flowers are produced in large masses. Fruits follow quickly in about four weeks after flowering. They are about one inch or larger, purplish black in color with large seeds and excellent melting flesh that has almost the flavor of a northern cherry. Eaten fresh and used in jelly.

Trees grow well in most soil types, but prefer acid conditions for best growth. They are cold hardy down to upper 20's F, and will take some salt spray.

Trees are easily propagated by seed; seedlings take about two and a half years to start flowering. Growth rates are usually about two feet a year once the plants are well established. The Grumichama makes an excellent container plant and will fruit quite nicely in a five to ten gallon-size container.

Similar plants:

• Blepharocalyx salicifolius, Eugenia salicifolia (Murta)
• Eugenia aggregata (Cherry of the Rio Grande, Cere Jodo Rio Grande)
• Eugenia confusa (Red Berry Stopper)
• Eugenia foetida, Eugenia buxifolia (Spanish Stopper, Boxleaf Stopper )
• Eugenia luschnathiana, Phyllocalyx luschnathianus (Pitomba)
• Eugenia neonitida (Pitangatuba)
• Eugenia pyriformis (Uvaia, Uvalha, Uvaia-do-mato, Uvaieira)
• Eugenia reinwardtiana (Beach Cherry, Cedar Bay Cherry)
• Eugenia rhombea (Red Stopper)
• Eugenia sp. (Eugenia)