Tropical Plant Database - Plant Details

Eugenia uniflora is a small tropical tree growing to 25 ft (7.5 m) high. The opposite, ovate-lanceolate leaves are bronze in color when young, glossy deep-green when mature, than turning red in winter. The leaves contain aromatic oils of citronella, cineole, terpenine, sesquiterpenes and others. The flowers have long stalk and appear single or in groups of four together in the leaf axils. The flower has delicate white petals, 50 to 60 white stamens and pale-yellow anthers. The fruit is a berry with 7 to 8 ribs, green-orange in the beginning, turning bright-red or deep scarlet with maturity and becoming almost black when fully ripe. The flesh is orange-red, very juicy and a sweet-acid taste. The fruit contains one large round seed or sometime 2 or 3 small light brown seeds.
(Morton, J. 1987. Fruits of Warm Climates.)
(Wagner, W.L., D.R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1999. Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawai'i.)
(Stone, B. C. 1970. The Flora of Guam.)

In Brazil the leaf infusion is taken as a febrifuge and astringent and for stomach problems. In Surinam, the leaf decoction is drunk as a cold remedy and, in combination with lemongrass, as a febrifuge.
(Morton, J. 1987. Fruits of Warm Climates.)
(Wagner, W.L., D.R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1999. Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawai'i.)
(Stone, B. C. 1970. The Flora of Guam.)

Because of their resinous content, the seeds should not be eaten. Dogs fed on fruits with seeds have developed diarrhea.
(Morton, J. 1987. Fruits of Warm Climates.)
(Wagner, W.L., D.R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1999. Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawai'i.)
(Stone, B. C. 1970. The Flora of Guam.)

In Brazil, the leaves are spread over and when walked upon, they release their pungent oil which repels flies. The bark contains tannin and is used for treating leather. Surinam Cherry is also used for bonsai and in landscaping as hedges.
(Morton, J. 1987. Fruits of Warm Climates.)
(Wagner, W.L., D.R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1999. Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawai'i.)
(Stone, B. C. 1970. The Flora of Guam.)

(Information for this species compiled and recorded by Camelia Cirnaru, NTBG Consultant.)

Surinam Cherry is indigenous to the Amazon rainforest. The plant is native from Surinam, Guyana and French Guiana to southern Brazil and to northern, eastern and central Uruguay.
(Morton, J. 1987. Fruits of Warm Climates.)
(Wagner, W.L., D.R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1999. Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawai'i.)
(Stone, B. C. 1970. The Flora of Guam.)

The fruits are very juicy with a high content of vitamin C, calcium and phosphorus, iron, vitamin A, riboflavin and niacine. Children enjoy eating the ripe fruits out-of-hand. They are also sprinkled with sugar to release the juice and they are used in shortcake, fruit cups, salads, custard pudding and ice cream. Often, they are made into jam, jelly or relish. In Brazil, the juice is fermented into vinegar or wine, and sometimes prepare as liquor.
(Morton, J. 1987. Fruits of Warm Climates.)
(Wagner, W.L., D.R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1999. Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawai'i.)
(Stone, B. C. 1970. The Flora of Guam.)

The flowers are a rich source of pollen for honeybees. The birds feed on the fruits, spreading the seeds and realizing the propagation of the species.
(Morton, J. 1987. Fruits of Warm Climates.)
(Wagner, W.L., D.R. Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. 1999. Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawai'i.)
(Stone, B. C. 1970. The Flora of Guam.)

We currently have 17 herbarium specimens for Eugenia uniflora in our collection. Click on any specimen below to view the herbarium sheet data.

• 033274 - collected by Harold St. John in 1932
• 091720 - collected by Art Whistler in 1973
• 017990 - collected by M.-H. Sachet in 1974
• 017013 - collected by W. M. Bush in 1976
• 017012 - collected by Shawn Lum in 1983
• 017011 - collected by Richard A. Howard in 1985
• 017009 - collected by Tim Flynn in 1986
• 017010 - collected by David H. Lorence in 1987
• 008497 - collected by David H. Lorence in 1988
• 031896 - collected by Hank Oppenheimer in 2001
• 031895 - collected by Hank Oppenheimer in 2001
• 033899 - collected by Hank Oppenheimer in 2001
• 040849 - collected by Liloa Dunn in 2003
• 042152 - collected by K. R. Wood in 2004
• 055001 - collected by Natalia Tangalin in 2007
• 019454 - collected by Tim Flynn in 2007
• 054099 - collected by Alex Lau and Danielle Frohlich in 2008