Eugenia uniflora (tree, shrub)

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Taxonomic name: Eugenia uniflora L. Synonyms: Eugenia brasiliana (L.) Aubl., Eugenia michelii Lam., Myrtus brasiliana L. , Myrtus brasiliana L. var. normalis Kuntze , Plinia pedunculata L.f. , Plinia rubra L. , Stenocalyx michelii O. Berg , Stenocalyx uniflorus (L.) Kausel Common names: Barbados cherry, Brazilian cherry, cayenne cherry, Cayennekirsche (German), cerese à côtes (Guadeloupe), cereza quadrada (Colombia), cerezo de Cayena (Spanish), cerise carée (French Guiana), cerise créole (French-Reunion (La Réunion)), cerise de Cayenne (French Guiana), cerise de pays (French Guiana), cerises-cotes (Guadeloupe), cerisier carré (French), cerisier de Cayenne (French), Florida cherry, French cherry, guinda (El Salvador), kafika, kafika palangi, kafika papalangi, menemene, monkie monkie kersie (Surinam), nagapiry (Spanish), ñanga-piré (Argentina), pendanga (Venezuela), pitanga (Spanish), pitanga-da-praia (Portuguese), red Brazil cherry, Surinaamsche kersh (Surinam), Surinam cherry, Surinamkirsche (German), venevene, zoete kers (Surinam) Organism type: tree, shrub Eugenia uniflora is an evergreen shrub that can reach tree like proportions. It is a hardy species that can thrive in a variety of habitats, both in its native and introduced range. Eugenia uniflora can quickly reach thick densities which affect understorey light levels, subsequently changing micro-environments. It is also known to host recognised pests and pathogens. Description Eugenia uniflora is an evergreen, multi-branched shrub (sometimes classified as a small tree) with slender, spreading branches and resinously aromatic foliage. It can reach heights of 10 m. Young stems are often covered with red hairs and dark red new foliage. The leaves of this species are opposite, simple, short petioled, oval to lance shaped, 2.5-8cm long, shiny and dark green above while paler below and with margins entire. The opposite leaves are bronze when young; turn deep-green and glossy when mature; and turn red in cold, dry winter weather. Long-stalked flowers are borne singly or as many as 4 together in the leaf axils and have 4 delicate, recurved, white petals and a tuft of 50 to 60 prominent white stamens with pale-yellow anthers. The flowers are fragrant and about 13mm across. E. uniflora fruit are fleshy, juicy, orange-red berries 4cm wide and are depressed-globose, conspicuously 8-ribbed, and contain 1-3 seeds. The fruit turns from green to orange as it develops and, when mature, bright red to deep-scarlet or dark, and purplish maroon ("black") when fully ripe. The skin is thin, the flesh orange-red, melting and very juicy. (FLEPPC, 2005; and Morton, 1987). Similar Species Eugenia spp. More Occurs in: natural forests, planted forests, range/grasslands, scrub/shrublands Habitat description Eugenia uniflora is endemic to Brazil, occurring in areas of medium and large levels of rainfall. It can also be found in different vegetation types and ecosystems, including forests, restingas (The restingas ecoregion along the Brazilian Atlantic coast are characterized by sandy dunes with shrubs and low forests further inland), arid and semiarid environments in the Brazilian north-east. E. uniflora is, in general, a hardy species that is adaptable to all soil conditions that are not subject to flooding and is found in tropical and subtropical regions (FLEPPC, 2005; Morton, 1987; and Salgueiro et al. 2004). Young plants are damaged by temperatures below -2.22º C, but well-established plants have suffered only superficial injury at -5.56º C. The plant revels in full sun. It requires only moderate rainfall and, being deep-rooted, can stand a long dry season. E. uniflora grows in almost any type of soil-sand, sandy loam, stiff clay, soft limestone-and can even stand water logging for a time, but it is intolerant of salt (Morton, 1987). General impacts Because of its hardy nature E. uniflora can invade a wide variety of habitats and can achieve such thick densities that it affects light levels and can change the microenvironment of an invaded habitat. This species is also known to host recognized pests and pathogens and is therefore an undesirable species to allow in native habitats where it has invaded (Forbes, 2006; and PIER, 2005). Uses Eugenia uniflora is ecologically important in its endemic range as a pioneer species in the restinga ecosystem. Thus, the species has been used to recover and manage disturbed and fragmented areas. Initial steps to understand the genetic diversity of E. uniflora are now being undertaken, due to its ecological versatility and wide economic application (Salgueiro et al. 2004). Ripe fruits can be eaten out-of-hand and can be made into pie or sauce or preserved whole in syrup. They are often made into jam, jelly, relish or pickles. Brazilians ferment the juice into vinegar or wine, and sometimes prepare distilled liquor. Seeds are extremely resinous and should not be eaten. The strong, spicy emanation from bushes being pruned irritates the respiratory passages of sensitive persons. The leaves have been spread over the floors of Brazilian homes. When walked upon, they release their pungent oil, which repels flies. The bark contains 20 to 28.5% tannin and can be used for treating leather. Medicinal Uses: In Brazil the leaf infusion is taken as a stomachic, febrifuge and astringent. In Surinam, the leaf decoction is drunk as a cold remedy and, in combination with lemongrass, as a febrifuge (Morton, 1987). Notes There are 2 distinct E. uniflora types: the common bright-red and the rarer dark-crimson to nearly black, which tends to be sweeter and less resinous (Morton, 1987). Geographical range Native range: Endemic to Brazil, E. uniflora has become naturalized through much of South America (Salgueiro et al. 2004). Known introduced range: Asia, Australasia-Pacific Region, Europe, and North America (GBIF, 2006; and Morton, 1987). Introduction pathways to new locations For ornamental purposes: E. uniflora was introduced for ornament and edible fruit before 1931(FLEPPC, 2005). Landscape/fauna "improvement": E. uniflora is widely planted in central and south Florida, especially for hedges (FLEPPC, 2005). Local dispersal methods Garden escape/garden waste: E. uniflora is noted as escaping cultivation and invading hammocks in south-central and south Florida (FLEPPC, 2005). Management information Preventative measures: A Risk Assessment of Eugenia uniflora for Hawaii and other Pacific islands was prepared by Dr. Curtis Daehler (UH Botany) with funding from the Kaulunani Urban Forestry Program and US Forest Service. The alien plant screening system is derived from Pheloung et al. (1999) with minor modifications for use in Pacific islands (Daehler et al. 2004. The result is a score of 12 and a recommendation of: "Likely to cause significant ecological or economic harm in Hawaii and on other Pacific Islands as determined by a high WRA score, which is based on published sources describing species biology and behaviour in Hawaii and/or other parts of the world." Chemical: Kline and Duquesnel (1996) report that using the Cut Surface method of chemical application with Garlon 3A at 50% concentration or a 10% concentration of Garlon 4 achieved a rating of "Good" control. Basal bark application of Garlon 4 at 10% concentration only received a rating of "Moderate" control. Biological: Research into the biological control of E. uniflora has not been conducted, but certain invertebrates and diseases are known to attack this species. E. uniflora are highly attractive to Caribbean and Mediterranean fruit flies, but the incidence of infestation was found to vary greatly from location to location, with some plants being unmolested. Scale insects and caterpillars occasionally attack the foliage. Diseases encountered in its invasive range in Florida are leaf spot caused by Cercospora eugeniae, Helminthosporium sp., and Phyllostica eugeniae; thread blight from infection by Corticium stevensii; anthracnose from Colletotrichum gloeosporioides; twig dieback and root rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani; and mushroom root rot, Armillariella (Clitocybe) tabescens (Morton, 1987). Reproduction Eugenia uniflora is hermaphrodite with white flowers pollinated by insects. The flowers are small having four petals and lots of yellow stamens. Flowering happens twice a year, in January and September, and fruit ripening occurs in February and October, approximately five to six weeks after flowering. Seeds remain viable for not much longer than a month and germinate in 3 to 4 weeks. Eugenia uniflora seedlings grow slowly; some begin to fruit when 2 years old; some may delay fruiting for 5 or 6 years, or even 10 if in unfavourable situations. The fruits develop and ripen quickly, only 3 weeks after the flowers open (Morton, 1987; and Salgueiro et al. 2004). Principal sources: Salgueiro et al. 2004. Even population differentiation for maternal and biparental gene markers in Eugenia uniflora , a widely distributed species from the Brazilian coastal Atlantic rain forest Morton, 1987 E. uniflora Compiled by: National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) & IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) To contribute information, please contact Shyama Pagad. Last Modified: Friday, 21 April 2006