Eugenia brasiliensis (Myrtaceae) 


Common Names 

English: grumichama, Brazilian cherry

Portuguese: grumixama

Spanish: grumichama, grumichana

French: cerisier du Brésil, jambosier du Brésil

 

Origin and Distribution 

The grumichama is native to southeastern Brazil.  It is cultivated sporadically throughout the tropics and subtropics.

 

Botanical Synonyms 

Eugenia dombeyi, E. filipes, Myrtus dombeyi and Stenocalyx brasiliensis. 

 

Description

Large shrub to small tree, reaching 18-40 feet (5.5-12 m). Leaves opposite, 3-5 inches (7.6-13 cm) long, glossy and oval to elliptic. Perfect axillary flowers, solitary or in groups of two or three. Fruits round, purple, red or yellow, with a long peduncle, around 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter, juicy and sweet. Fruits contain one or two seeds.

 

 Fruits of purple and yellow grumichama (Eugenia brasiliensis)

 

Propagation and Culture

Grumichama is propagated by seed and grafting. Seeds germinate in about 30 days. The plants prefer soil with abundant organic matter and a pH of 5.5-6.5. It grows well in full sun to partial shade. Plants are reportedly hardy to 28 F (-2 C). Begins fruiting at 4-5 years from seed. In Puerto Rico, flowering occurs from February to May, and fruiting from March to June.

 

Cultivars and Related Species

There are no named cultivars of grumichama, but there are three types: purple, red and yellow. There are approximately 40 Eugenia species with edible fruits.

 

Uses

Grumichama fruits are delicious fresh, and are also used to make juices, wines, jams and jellies. The tree is a beautiful ornamental.

 

Nutritional composition per 100 g grumichama fruit      

Carbohydrate 13.4 g
Fat  0.3 g
Protein  0.1-0.6 g
Calcium  39.5 mg
Phosphorous  13.6 mg
Iron  0.5 mg
Vitamin A  67 IU
Vitamin B1 0.04 mg
Vitamin B2  0.03 mg
Niacin  0.34 mg
Vitamin C   19 mg

 

More information on grumichama

Grumichama

From Julia Morton's "Fruits of Warm Climates".

 

Selected Eugenia Species

An article from the University of Florida which covers grumichama and three other Brazilian Myrtaceae.

 

Close up of purple and yellow grumichama (Eugenia brasiliensis)

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

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