Common Name: Cagaiteira

General Information

Eugenia dysenterica is a small deciduous tree with a dense, elongate crown; it can grow 4 - 8 metres tall. The short, crooked, cylindrical bole can be 25 - 35cm in diameter with a thick, corky bark[, , ].
The edible fruit is greatly appreciated by some people, and is often gathered from the wild for local use[]. With its highly fragrant flowers and attractive form, the plant makes a good ornamental[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - central, eastern and northeastern Brazil, Bolivia.

Habitat

Drier scrub areas and savannahs at higher elevations[]. Found mainly in primary formations, growing in well drained soils that can be clayey or sandy[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	6.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Eugenia dysenterica is a plant of the dry tropical savannah[], where it is found at elevations from 200 - 1,000 metres.
Succeeds in full sun or partial shade[]. Succeeds in a range of well-drained soils, preferring those that are rich in humus[, ]. Most members of this genus do not like alkaline conditions[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
Young plants are slow growing, not exceeding 2 metres in height after 2 years[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. An excellent dessert fruit[], it is used to flavour sweets, drinks and preserves[]. A thick, fleshy, succulent pulp with a pleasant, acidic flavour[]. A thin skin and a very juicy pulp[]. A subacid flavour, the yellow fruit is 3 - 5cm in diameter[]. Eating large quantities is said to cause mild drunkenness[]. The fruit has a laxative effect if eaten in quantity or harvested from the ground[, ].

Medicinal

The fruit can be used as a laxative if eaten in moderate quantities[].

Other Uses

The wood is fine to medium-textured, straight-grained, heavy, hard, moderately durable[]. It is only used locally for purposes such as small general construction work, rustic furniture, frames, fence posts, stakes etc[].
The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a sunny position in individual containers. The germination rate is normally quite low, with the seed sprouting within 10 - 15 days[].

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