Eugenia mattosii
Mini Pitanga
Eugenia mattosii
Eugenia mattosii is a fruit that is rare in nature and is very rare in cultivated settings within North America. This plant has small leaves and forms a beautiful small bush that fruits delicious small “cerejeinhas” or cherries in profuse amounts. The plant grows very slowly, but it surely makes up for it with it’s beautiful foliage, form, flowers and fruit. This species is definitely one to be included in the Eugenia collectors quiver.
Family: Myrtaceae
Name: Eugenia mattosii
Common Name / Native Name: Minipitanga, Pitanguinha-de-mattos
Range: Range: A very small range in Santa Catarina, Brazil.
Sun: Full sun/ Part shade
Height: 3-4 feet
Width: 3-4 feet
Foliage: Small lanceolate leaves with bright red new growth
Flower: Medium sized white flowers common of Eugenia spp.
Fruit: A small red fruit that hs red flesh and skin.
Soil Type/ pH: Prefers acidity, pH 5-7
USDA Climate Zones: Undetermined, likely 9b/10a+
Cold Hardiness: Undetermined
Edibility: Supposedly a delicious fruit that is in abundance on the small shrubs.
Age to maturity: 2-5 years
Sources:
Frutas No Brasil
Harri Lorenzi, Marco Tulio Cortes De Lacerda, Luis Benedito Bacher