Eugenia sp. "Big”
Big Purple Eugenia
Eugenia sp. “Big”
Profile: Eugenia sp. ‘Big’, comes from the Mata Atlantica, or Atlantic forest which is on the eastern coast of Brazil. This tropical and subtropical forest is a biodiversity hot spot. One of the genera that is of most interest to me and many others is Eugenia spp. Eugenia is a genus that consists of 1175 accepted species. This genus is not restricted to Brazil, it is in fact, found throughout much of the tropical and subtropical world. The Mata Atlantica and Brazil in general have a great deal of diversity within this genus and it has resulted in many tantalizing and delicious introductions to other parts of the world. This genus is a new introduction and will hopefully become common place in people’s collections. Give this new, unidentified species a try and let’s learn about it together.
Family: Myrtaceae
Name: Eugenia sp. “Big”
Common Name / Native Name: Big Pitanga
Range: Unknown, Mata Atlantica, Atlantic Forest
Sun: Full sun/Part Shade
Height: Unknown
Width: Unknown
Foliage: Opposite leaves, glabrous foliage similar to other in Eugenia genus
Flower: Small white/yellow flowers
Fruit: Large fruits about the size of a golf ball. Decent sized seed and a moderate seed to flesh ratio.
Soil Type/ pH: Prefers acidic soils but will tolerate higher pH
USDA Climate Zones: Unknown
Cold Hardiness: Unknown
Edibility: Supposedly a good fruit eaten out of hand.
Age to maturity: Unknown
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