Common Name: Grumichama

General Information

Grumichama is an attractive evergreen shrub or small tree with its dark, glossy leaves, reddish young shoots and dense, pyramidal canopy[, , ]. It can grow 10 - 15 metres tall, but is often smaller[, ]. The short, cylindrical bole can be 25 - 40cm in diameter[].
The edible fruit is greatly appreciated within its native range, where it is gathered from the wild and also cultivated in home gardens[]. The plant is also cultivated in gardens as an ornamental and for its edible fruit outside of its native range in areas of the tropics and subtropics such as Florida, Hawaii and Paraguay[, ]. With its narrow crown, it has been recommended for street planting[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - coastal southern Brazil.

Habitat

A rare plant in the Atlantic rainforest, growing on alluvial plains and gentle slopes[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	8.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

The grumichama requires a humid, tropical to subtropical climate, growing best at very low elevations of 90 metres or less[]. The temperature range for growth is reported to be 15 - 38°c with the optimum between 21 - 32°c[]. Mature trees tolerate frost to -3 °c for short periods, but young shoots are affected[]. The annual rainfall range for growth is reported to be 800 - 3,500mm with the optimum between 1,200 - 2,500mm[]. The plant is adversely affected by a long, dry season[].
Succeeds in full sun or part day shade[]. Adaptable to a range of soil types, but intolerant of alkaline soils[]. Prefers high levels of organic matter in the soil[], especially when grown on light soils[]. Prefers a position sheltered from strong winds[].
Generally slow-growing, the plants can commence flowering and fruiting when 4 years old from seed[].
In the subtropics the trees flower synchronously in spring. The fruit ripens within one month and the harvest is over in a matter of days[]. In the tropics flowering and fruiting extend over several months[].
The fruits can vary considerably in colour and two distinct forms have been described. The species type has a black-skinned fruit; E. Brasiliensis leucocarpa has yellow fruits; E. Brasiliensis erythrocarpa has red-skinned fruits that are sweeter than the other forms[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or used in jams, jellies etc[, , ]. The deep crimson fruit has a thin and delicate skin, soft and melting pulp and a mild subacid taste[, ]. The taste largely resides in the skin[, ]. Excellent when eaten fresh[]. The persistent sepals ('rabbit ears') and the modest flesh to seed ratio limit the appeal of the fruit[]. The fruit is a globose to oblate berry, up to 3 - 5cm in diameter[].

Medicinal

An infusion of 10 g of leaves or bark in 300 ml water is used as an aromatic, astringent diuretic and as a treatment for rheumatism in Brazil[, ].

Other Uses

The bark and leaves contain large amounts of tannins, reportedly among highest found in plants (34% in the bark)[, ].

The bark and leaves contain 1.5% of an essential oil and have an attractive aromatic smell[].

The wood is cross-grained, compact, hard, moderately heavy, not very elastic, brittle, of medium durability when exposed[]. Easy to work, it is used for lathe work, cabinet making, general carpentry, linings and boxes[].

Propagation

Seed - should be sown as soon as possible because it loses its viability in about 6 weeks[]. Sow in a lightly shaded position in a nursery seedbed or in individual containers. Germination rates are usually low, with the seed sprouting within 30 - 60 days[]. Seedlings grow away very slowly[].
Cuttings. Easy[].
Air layering. Easy[].
Grafting

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