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.