| Cherry of the Rio Grande | |
| Eugenia aggregata |
Small/medium, 1-2" around, deep red to purple berry, resembling the grumichama (though more elongated and much larger) and several other Eugenia species. It has a pleasant and tasty sweet cherry flavor.
Description: Small, often multi-branching tree or shrub, from 10-20ft high. Small white flowers
appear early in Spring and blooming and fruiting season continues for
several months into Summer. Leaves are 2-3" long, glossy green,
and somewhat folded down the center.
Hardiness: They
are hardy plants, to 20F when mature, though younger plants should be
protected from frosts.
Growing Environment: Grow in full sun or part shade, water when flowering
and fruiting, but plants are fairly drought tolerant. Plants are tolerant of a variety
of soils, but grow best in partly acidic soil. Excellent container specimen.
Propagation: By seeds, which loose viability fairly quickly, particularly if dried. Trees may produce in five years from seed.
Uses: Usually eaten fresh or used to make jams, jellies and preserves.
Native Range: Native to Brazil.
this fruit is nearing ripe