Eugenia uniflora - L.

Eugenia uniflora, the Brazilian Cherry is a small tree/large bush with an oval, vase form growing to 7m high. Branches often develop close to the ground. The branches are thin and wiry. It has attractive dark green and shiny oval and pointed leaves about 2.5-6 cm long by 1.5-3 cm wide. New leaves are dark purple or red. Flowers are small and white and the fruit is lobed and red with a single large seed inside. A great plant having medicinal, edible and other uses. The fruit are very tasty and high in vitamin C. The ripe fruit is eaten raw. It can be cooked or used for jams and other products. The leaves are used as a substitute for tea. Unripe fruits can be used to make relishes and chutneys. Several crops of fruit are produced each year. Flowers or fruit can be on the tree throughout the year in tropical locations. Trees start to produce fruit after about 3-4 years. There are about 550 Eugenia species located mostly in tropical and subtropical South America.