Surinam Cherry - euginia unifloral

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Surinam Cherry - euginia unifloral

By goodadmin | June 29, 2007

by steve stamos

Surinam Cherry, a member of the myrtle family (Myrtaceae), is a small tropical fruit tree, indigenous to the Amazon rainforest. This tropical specimen grows up to 10 meters tall and has slender, spreading branches, pointed ovate leaves, bronze when young, deep-green and glossy when mature and long-stalked flowers. The leaves will turn red in cold, dry winter weather. This tropical plant can successfully be grown in pots indoors or in the garden. Besides its fruits, it can also be cultivated for landscaping since it can make a good hedge.

Surinam Cherry it is known also as the Brazilian cherry. It has no tolerance to salt and prefers a full sun or partial shade position with moist soil. The dark crimson cherry has tolerance for drought and grows in almost any type of soil. Generally Surinam cherry is an adaptable plant and can it does well in tropical and subtropical zones. Fruit tree propagation is mostly by seeds but also cuttings.

Seeds remain viable for a month and germinate in 4-5 weeks. Plant in frost free spots as young plant can suffer damage at about-2.5 C. Mature and well-established plants will suffer only superficial damage and they revive in full sun; serious damage to mature plants occurs at about -5.5 C. Seedlings grow slowly and begin to produce fruit from when they are 2 years old but could take up to 10 years if conditions are not favorable.

Fruit is very juicy and have high vitamin C content. It has also iron, vitamin A and some of the B group vitamins. The fruit contain one large or 2-3 smaller round light brown seeds. Ripe fruits can be enjoyed out-of-hand. They are an excellent addition to fruit salads, ice cream and can be made into pie. They are also made into jam, jelly, relish or pickles. Brazilians often ferment the juice into vinegar or wine. A decoction of the leaves is used as a cold remedy in traditional medicine

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