Common Name: Brazil Cherry

General Information

Brazil cherry is a variable, evergreen shrub or small tree with a dense canopy, that grows 6 - 12 metres tall. The crooked bole branches from low down, it can be 30 - 50cm in diameter[]. The plant often produces suckers and can create dense thickets[].
A popular fruit, it is both gathered from the wild and also cultivated in many areas of the tropics and subtropics[, , ]. The plant also supplies medicines for the local people, and is grown in gardens as a hedge and an ornamental[, ].

Known Hazards

The seeds are extremely resinous and toxic[].

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, southern central and eastern Brazil, Bolivia.

Habitat

Light sandy stream banks[]. Limestone thickets in lowland areas[]. Semi-deciduous forests and also on coastal levees[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	6.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Brazil cherry succeeds in warm temperate to tropical areas, up to an elevation of 1,800 metres in the tropics[]. The temperature range for growth is reported to be 12 - 32°c, with the optimum between 21 - 27°c[]. It is rather cold-tolerant and will stand several degrees of frost unharmed, with older plants suffering only superficial injury at -5°c[]. The annual rainfall range for growth is reported to be 700 - 2,700mm, with the optimum between 1,200 - 2,000mm[]. It is well adapted to areas of high relative humidity but can also withstand a long dry season[].
Prefers a fertile, moist soil in a sunny to partially shaded position[]. Adaptable to a range of soil types, but intolerant of alkaline soils[]. Succeeds in alkaline soils according to another report[]. Prefers high levels of organic matter in the soil[]. A position in full sun is required for the plant to maintain its best shape[]. Plants are deep rooted and can withstand drought[, ].
Plants can become invasive in some areas, spreading by means of their roots[].
A fairly slow-growing plant[].
Flowering and fruiting may start when plants are 2 years old under favourable circumstances, usually it starts when 5 - 6 years old, on the flushes of the previous season or basal part of the shoots of the current season[]. Flowering and fruiting continue over an extended period (6 - 8 weeks) and, depending on the climate, there may be several crops in a year[]
In India pruned bushes yielded 2.7 - 3.6 kg fruit per plant[]. The highest yield obtained in Israel was 11 kg fruit from one untrimmed plant[].
Two main types are distinguished: the most common form has bright cerise fruit and red-tinged foliage; the other form has dark-red to black berries and similarly tinted leaves; the latter form is rarer and tends to be sweeter and less resinous[, ].
There are several named varieties[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - used when fully ripe, it is delicious when eaten raw, and can also be made into jams, jellies, pies, juices, sherbets etc[]. The ripe fruit is crimson to purplish-black in colour with a juicy, aromatic, subacid flesh[]. Very rich in pectin and vitamin C[, ], it has a tangy and sometimes rather bitter flavour with a weird aftertaste[] Opinions on the quality of the fruit seem to be mixed with some people finding it utterly delicious, sweet, juicy and slightly spicy, whilst others find it too peppery, sour or resinous[]. Much of this difference is due to the variation in the fruit itself, with some forms quite acid and others very sweet, and the degree of resin in the flavour also varying[]. One fruit a day is said to provide all the vitamin C a body requires[]. Unripe fruits can be used to make relishes and chutneys[]. Some forms can fruit for up to 7 months a year[]. The fruit is 15 - 30mm long[].

The aromatic leaves are used as a tea substitute[].

Medicinal

he leaves are astringent, febrifuge, stomachic and tonic[, ]. An infusion is used to remedy head colds, influenza, chest colds, coughs and fevers[]. An infusion is drunk shortly before childbirth[].
Crushed and steeped in boiling water, they are used as a wash to soothe irritated skin[].

The fruits are used to reduce blood pressure[]. They are made into a syrup that is used to treat influenza[].

Compounds in the stems and leaves show possible antimicrobial activity[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants are tolerant of shearing and can be grown as a hedge[]. The plant becomes densely branched when trimmed regularly[].

Other Uses

The leaves are used as an insect repellent[]. The crushed leaves release a pungent oil which is used as an insect repellent[, ].

The bark is rich in tannin, containing 20 - 28% tannin[].

The wood is moderately heavy, hard, compact and very durable[]. Of small dimensions, it is only used locally for items such as tool handles[].

Propagation

Seed - keeps its viability for only about 1 month[]. It is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in individual containers. A germination rate of around 80 % can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 20 - 50 days[].
Layering.
Grafting

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