Common Name:

General Information

Eugenia pseudopsidium is an evergreen shrub or a tree that is usually around 3 - 5 metres tall with a trunk 4- 8cm in diameter, but can grow up to 20 metres tall with a trunk up to 30cm in diameter[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of wood. With its dark green leaves, bright red fruits, and clean form, the species has a pleasing appearance and probably would make a fine ornamental, especially in shady locations[].
Eugenia pseudopsidium has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2022)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - northern Brazil, Ecuador, Venezuela, the Guanas; Caribbean - Trinidad to the Dominican Republic

Habitat

Normally confined to the understories of remnant old growth and advanced secondary forest; at elevations from near sea level to 670 metres in Puerto Rico[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	5.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Eugenia pseudopsidium is a plant of lowlands in the moist tropics. In Puerto Rico it is found in areas
that receive around 1,400 - 2,200mm annual precipitation[].
A shade tolerant plant, it prefers medium to heavy-textured soils derived from sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic (including ultramafic) rocks. It does not appear sensitive to topographic position but rarely if ever grows on excessively or very poorly drained soils[].
The plant can start flowering when less than 100cm tall[]. It flowers and produces fruit irregularly throughout the year[].
Understorey plants produce fruits in small numbers; plants receiving increased sunlight in gaps or thinned canopies produce several times more fruits[].
The plant usually resprouts well after cutting back or damage[].

Edible Uses

Fruit[]. Of considerable esteem in the Caribbean[]. Astringent, with little flavour[]. A bright red, or orange-red, globose fruit up to 20mm wide, containing a single seed[, ].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The light to reddish brown wood is hard and very heavy[]. It is used to a limited extent for firewood and fence posts[].

Propagation

Seed -. In one trial, 81% of freshly collected seeds germinated within 59 - 143 days from sowing[].

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