Eugenia pseudopsidium
Christmas Cherry, Quibrahacha
Eugenia pseudopsidium
Eugenia pseudopsidium is one of those collectors Eugenias that are just hard to resist. It’s a bird food species, in that the fruits are small and most often meant for birds, although they are delicious and worth the novelty in the garden!
Eugenia pseudopsidium is found throughout Equatorial regions of central America as well as the carribean. It definitely would seem that this species would be very cold sensitive although it has successfully been grown in 9b climates. It is a medium sized tree that seems to have potential as a nice novelty fruit and accent in the garden! Get the Christmas Cherry going on in your garden, because usually there isn’t too much fruiting around that time!
Family: Myrtaceae
Name: Eugenia pseudopsidium
Common Name / Native Name: Christmas Cherry, Quibrahacha
Range: Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Often found in Mountainaous regions and in semi-evergreen forests
Sun: Full sun/part shade
Height: 15+ feet
Width: 7+ feet
Foliage: Leaves around 3cm long, green and reminiscent of other Eugenia spp.
Flower: Small flowers in clusters, fragrant
Fruit: Small red/orange fruits with a medium sized seed
Soil Type/ pH: Prefers acidic soil
USDA Climate Zones: Uncertain but I think it can handle 9b+
Cold Hardiness: Undetermined
Edibility: A pleasant tasting Eugenia
Age to maturity:
Sources:
Images: Bordeaux Botanica Micro Nursery, (St John VI)
https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=EUPS
https://www.saintlucianplants.com/floweringplants/myrtaceae/eugepseu/eugeopseu.html
https://www.regionalconservation.org/ircs/database/plants/PlantPagePR.asp?TXCODE=Eugepseu