Description
Eugenia cayoana (also called Pitanga, Surinam Cherry, and West Indian Cherry, among many other common names) is a small evergreen tree or shrub native to the Caribbean, South America, and Florida. It has glossy, leathery leaves and white flowers that produce edible red fruit. It is found in tropical and subtropical forests, as well as disturbed areas.
Uses & Benefits
Eugenia cayoana is used in traditional medicine to treat fever, diarrhea, and stomach pain. It is also used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a hedge plant.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
Eugenia cayoana has white flowers with five petals and yellow centers. The seeds are small and black, and the seedlings have small, oval-shaped leaves.
Cultivation and Propagation
Eugenia cayoana is a shrub that can be propagated from seed or cuttings. Seeds should be sown in a well-drained soil mix and kept moist until germination. Cuttings should be taken from semi-hardwood and treated with a rooting hormone before being placed in a well-drained soil mix. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil.