Grumichama - Eugenia brasiliensis
Grumichama
Fig. 1
Eugenia brasiliensis (Brazilian cherry, grumichama)

Bing cherry on the left and grumichama on the right
Fig. 2
Bing cherry on the left and grumichama (w/sepals) on the right

Leaves
Fig. 3
E. brasiliensis (Brazilian cherry, grumichama), Kula Ace Hardware and Nursery, Maui

Flower
Fig. 4

Flowers of the Eugenia brasiliensis
Fig. 5

Tree in full bloom
Fig. 6

Immature fruit
Fig. 10
Immature fruit

Fruit habit
Fig. 11
Brazilian cherry, grumichama habit, Montrose Crater Rd Kula, Maui

Fruit and seeds
Fig. 12

From my garden, 30 June 2017
Fig. 13

Seeds of Eugenia brasiliensis
Fig. 17
Seeds of E. brasiliensis

Growth habit
Fig. 18

As a standard specimen
Fig. 19
Srasota, Florida

Pruned as a bush to 6 feet
Fig. 20
Maintained as a bush to 6 feet for ease of harvesting

In rows at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
Fig. 21
In rows at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Trunk, bark
Fig. 22
Grumichama trunk and bark, Haiku, Maui


Scientific name
Eugenia brasiliensis Lam.
Common names
English: Brazil cherry, Brazilian cherry, grumichama, red-fleshed grumichama, Spanish cherry; Brazil: cumbixaba, grumixama, grumichameira, grumixameira (Portuguese); Czech: hřebíčkovec Brazilský; Danish: Brasiliansk kirsebær; French: bois dè Nefle, cerisier du Brésil, jambosier du Brésil; German: Brasilianische Kirschmyrte; Spanish: grumichama, Ppomarosa forastera 11
Synonyms
E. dombeyi (Spreng.) Skeels, Myrtus dombeyi Spreng., Stenocalyx brasiliensis O. Berg; E. brasiliensis var. erythrocarpa Cambess; E. brasiliensis var. leucocarpa Cambess; Stenocalyx brasiliensis var. erythrocarpa (Cambess.) O.Berg; Stenocalyx brasiliensis var. leucocarpa (Cambess.) O.Berg; E. bracteolaris Lam.; E. filipes Baill.; E. ubensis Cambess.; Myrtus grumixama Vell.; Stenocalyx ubensis (Cambess.) O.Berg 8
Relatives
Cattley guava, Psidium cattleianum; guava, P. guajava; blue grape, Myrciaria vexator; jaboticaba, Myrciaria spp.; feijoa Feijoa sellowiana and other members of the genus Eugenia, which includes more than 30 species with edible fruits
Family
Myrtaceae (myrtle family)
Origin
Sub tropical areas of Brazil
USDA hardiness zones
9b-10
Uses
Fruit; landscape specimen; hedging
Height
15-20 ft (4.5-6 m)
Spread
10-12 ft (3-3.6 m)
Plant habit
Shrub or small tree; upright, compact growth habit 1
Growth rate
Can grow at a rate of about two to three feet a year under normal conditions 4
Trunk/bark/branches
Short-trunked; thin exfoliate bark 6
Pruning requirement
Keep pruned to 10-12 ft (3-3.6 m)
Leaves
Evergreen; leaves persist for 2 years; shiny dark leaves; leathery texture; new growth is rosy-burgundy
Flowers
White; 100 white stamens, yellowish anthers; mid-March for the main flowering
Fruit
Looks like a Bing cherry; produces more fruit if the winter is a little chilly; borne on long stems in clusters; persistent white sepals
Season
Fruits several times a year; first crop is the largest; matures in April to May; one month from flowering 1
Light requirement
Sun or part shade
Soil tolerances
Prefers deep, fertile, sandy loam; alkaline soils will cause deficiences: iron, manganese, and magnesium 4,5
pH preference
5.5-6.5
Drought tolerance
Not tolerant
Aerosol salt tolerance
Not hightly salt tolerant; protect them from strong winds 4
Soil salt tolerance
Fair; chlorotic on beach sands
Cold tolerance
26° F (-3.33 °C)
Plant spacing
15-20 ft (4.6-6 m) 2
Roots
Shallow root system; mulch to help retain moisture in the soil
Invasive potential *
None reported
Pest resistance
Somewhat susceptible to the Caribbean fruit fly
Known hazard
None



Reading Material

Brazilian Cherry or Grumichama, University of Florida, Collier County pdf
Grumichama, Fruits of Warm Climates
Grumichama, Twelve Fruits Project, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa
Eugenia dombeyi, PROSEA Foundation
Eugenia dombeyi, Agroforestree Database



Origin

Native and wild in coastal southern Brazil especially in the states of Parana and Santa Catarina. 5

Eugenias, South American Berries, Sub-tropical Fruit Club of Qld

Description
Has been grown in Florida since 1911.
The grumichama is a small, attractive tree that produces a a delicious, cherrylike fruit. Indeed, many regard this species as the premier member of the fruit-rich Eugenia genus. Although the fruit is small and is somewhat suscesptible to attack by the Caribbean fruit fly, the flavor is outstanding. For south Florida residents who yearn for a fruit resembling the northern sweet cherry, the grumichama represents an excellent choice. 3

Video: 4:44
All about grumichama v1

Flowers

Flowers develop on new growth. The flowers, borne singly in the leaf axils, are 1 in (2.5 cm) wide; have 4 green sepals and 4 white petals, and about 100 white stamens with pale-yellow anthers. 5

Eugenia brasiliensis in the San Paulo Botanical Garden Grumichama bush in bloom Spent flowers
Fig. 7 Fig. 8 Fig. 9

Fig. 7. E. brasiliensis in the San Paulo Botanical Garden
Fig. 8. Grumichama bush in bloom
Fig. 9. Spent flowers

Fruit
The long-stalked fruit is oblate, 1/2 to 3/4 in (1.25-2 cm) wide; turns from green to bright-red and finally dark-purple to nearly black as it ripens, and bears the persistent, purple- or red-tinted sepals, to 1/2 in (1.25 cm) long, at its apex. The skin is thin, firm and exudes dark-red juice. The red or white pulp is juicy and tastes much like a true subacid or sweet cherry except for a touch of aromatic resin. There may be 1 more or less round, or 2 to 3 hemispherical, hard, light-tan or greenish-gray seeds to 1/2 in (1.25 cm) wide and half as thick. 5
Fruit are born singly on new growth. 3
As non-climacteric fruits, it must be harvested ripe.

Grumichama fruit and leaves Cerisier du Brezil Ripe fruit
Fig. 14 Fig. 15 Fig. 16

Varieties
Three varieties have been distinguished, based on little more than fruit colour:
— var. iocarpus Berg (= var. dombeyi): fruits deep violet;
— var. erythrocarpus Berg: fruits red;
— var. leucocarpus Berg: in Brazil becomes a large tree to 65 ft (20 m) high and has fruits with white flesh. It is not as common as the red-fleshed type. 5,9

Harvesting
The tree is regarded as remarkable for the short period from flowering to fruiting. In Florida, it has been in full bloom in late April and loaded with fruits 30 days later. The crop ripens quickly over just a few days. 5

Propagation
Most grumichamas in the nursery trade are grown from seed and seedlings produce acceptable quality fruits, but generally take about two years before they reach a bearing size. Seed germinate quickly, about one month after planting, so if you propagate grumichamas from this year's crop or seed, you can have a good-sized shrub by the end of the year. There are some varieties that produce larger fruit and these can be propagated by cuttings or by grafting. 4
Trees can be grafted or cloned by air-layer. 2

Pruning
Little pruning is required. Keep to 10-12 ft for ease of harvest.

Fertilizing
Use of minor elements is desirable. Use nutritional spray on spring flush of growth.

Irrigation
The grumichama requires regular irrigaion when young. Once established, it is moderatlely drought tolerant. 3

Pests
It is considered a host for fruit flies. Birds remain the largest problem for growers of the fruit. Some Brazilian growers use netting to keep birds from the tree. Mylar tape, Christmas tinsel, and used CD's hung from the tree can help minimize bird damage.

South American Fruit Fly, Anastrepha fraterculus, University of Florida pdf
Mediterranean Fruit Fly, Ceratitis capitata, University of florida pdf

Diseases

There are no serious disease problems with grumichama when proper cultural practices are employed.

Food Uses
Ripe fruits are eaten out of hand or made into juices, jellies, and marmalade. Seeded fruits are sometimes added to fruit salads. A sauce made of boiled fruits and sugar is used for pie fillings and cakes. 10
Grumichama jelly and syrup can be found at some of Hawai‘i’s farmers’ markets. In the Caribbean, a reduction made from the juice of the fruit is used to accompany fish dishes. It can also be used as base for hot sauces. Processed puree is used in jam and jelly or in sauces. The pulp is juicy with a dry “grape like” skin. Approximately 6 pounds of fruit can be processed into 8 cups of puree, which can yield approximately 24 4-oz jars of jelly. 2

Medicinal Properties **
The bark and leaves contain 1.5% of essential oil. The leaf or bark infusion–1/3 oz (10 g) of plant material in 10 1/2 oz (300 g) water-is aromatic, astringent, diuretic and taken as a treatment for rheumatism at the rate of 2 to 4 cups daily, in Brazil. 5

Other uses
The wood is cross-grained, compact, hard, moderately heavy, not very elastic, brittle, of medium durability, medium resistance to rot when exposed. The wood is used for lathe work, cabinet making, general carpentry, linings and boxes. 6

General
Father Tavares states that all the trees do not ripen their crops at the same time, some blooming later than others and thus extending the fruiting season from November to February (in Brazil). Three varieties are distinguished by him, one with dark red flesh, another with vermilion, and the third with white. All three are said to be equally good in quality. 7

Other Edible Eugenia species:
Cherry of the Rio Grande, E. involucrata
Rain Forest Plum, E. candolleana
Surinam Cherry, E. uniflora
Pitomba, E. luschnathiana

Further Reading

Selected Eugenia Species, University of Florida pdf (archived)
The Grumichama: Quick to Grow, Lovely to Behold and a Juicy Treat to Boot! Archives of the Rare Fruit Council of Australia
The Grumichama, Manual of Tropical and Sub Tropical Fruits
The Grumichama, Archives of the Rare Fruit Council of Australia

Grumichama Botanical Art


List of Growers and Vendors
Bibliography

1 Phillips, Richard L. "Selected Eugenia Species." Horticultural Sciences Dept., UF/IFAS Extension, HS41, Pub. date Apr. 1994, Reviewed Nov. 2005, Archived, AskIFAS, edis.ifas.ufl.edu. Accessed 18 Jan. 2015.
2 Love, Ken, et al. "Grumichama." Twelve Fruits With Potential Value-Added and Culinary Uses, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, 2007. Accessed 17 Apr. 2016.
3 Boning, Charles R. Florida's Best Fruiting Plants- Native and Exotic Trees, Shrubs, and Vines. Sarasota, Pineapple Press, 2006.
4 Joyner, Gene. "The Grumichama: Quick to Grow, Lovely to Behold and a Juicy Treat to Boot!" Archives of the Rare Fruit Council of Australia, Tropical Fruit News Vol. 22 RFCI, 6 July, 1989 and Tropical Fruit News RFCI, Apr. 1993, Jan. 1989, rfcarchives.org.au. Accessed 17 Jan. 2015.
5 Fruits of Warm Climates. Julia F. Morton, Miami, 1987.
6 Lorenzi, Harri. Brazilian Trees, A Guide to the Identification and Cultivation of Brazilian Native Trees, Vol. 1. 4th ed., Nova Odessa, Instituto Plantarum de Estudos da Flora, 2002.
7 Popenoe, Wilson. Manual Of Tropical And Subtropical Fruits. 1920, London, Hafner Press, 1974.
8 "Eugenia brasiliensis." Tropical Plants Database, tropical.theferns.info. Accessed 15 Apr. 2016.
9 Oyen, L. P. A. "Eugenia dombeyi (Sprengel) Skeels." Edible fruits and nuts, Plant Resources of South-East Asia No 2, Edited by E. W. M. Verheij, and R. E. Coronel, PROSEA Foundation, Bogor, Indonesia, record 1503, 1991, PROSEA, (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0), www.prota4u.org/prosea/view.aspx?id=1503. Accessed 7 Oct. 2021.
10 Blancke, Rolf. "Tropical Fruits and Other Edible Plants of the World: An Illustrated Guide." Zlibrary, 2016, b-ok.cc/book/3414166/f1bf9d?dsource=recommend. Accessed 7 Oct. 2021.
11 Lim T. K. "Edible Medicinal And Non-Medicinal Plants: Volume 3, Fruits." EPDF, 2012, epdf.pub/volume-3-fruits.html. Accessed 7 Oct. 2021.

Video

v1 "All About Grumichama!" Truly Troical, (CC0), www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVA43OfdzFk. Accessed 6 Oct. 2021.

Photographs

Fig. 1,6 Love, Ken. "Eugenia brasiliensis, Myrtaceae." Hawai'i Tropical Fruit Growers, (formerly hawaiifuit.net), www.htfg.org/. Accessed 19 Jan. 2015.
Fig. 2,13,14,16 Robitaille, Liette. "Grumichama Series." 2017, www.growables.org.
Fig. 3 Starr, Kim, and Forest. "Eugenia brasiliensis (Brazilian cherry, Grumichama), Kula Ace Hardware and Nursery, Maui." Starr Environmental, 2007, (CC BY 2.0), starrenvironmental.com. Accessed 18 Jan. 2015.
Fig. 4,5,8,19 Robitaille, Liette. "Grumichama Series." 2015, www.growables.org.
Fig. 7,18 Daderot. "Eugenia brasiliensis in the San Paulo Botanical Garden." Wikimedia Commons, 2009, commons.wikimedia.org. Accessed 18 Jan. 2015.
Fig. 9 Starr, Kim and Forest. "Eugenia brasiliensis (Brazilian cherry, Grumichama) spent flowers, Kaiku, Maui." Starr Environmental, 2009, (CC BY 2.0), starrenvironmental.com. Accessed 18 Jan. 2015.
Fig. 10,20 Robitaille, Liette. "Grumichama Series." 2014, www.growables.org.
Fig. 11 Starr, Kim and Forest. "Eugenia brasiliensis (Brazilian cherry, Grumichama) habit, Montrose Crater Rd Kula, Maui." Starr Environmental, 2003, (CC BY 2.0), starrenvironmental.com. Accessed 18 Jan. 2015.
Fig. 12 Jaitt, Oscar. "Eugenia brasiliensis." Fruit Lovers, fruitlovers.com. Accessed 17 Apr. 2016.
Fig. 15 Navez, B. "Cerisier du Brezil. Réunion island." Wikimedia Commons, 2006, GFDL, commons.wikimedia.org. Accessed 18 Jan. 2015.
Fig. 17 Ralf.heete. "Seeds of Eugenia brasiliensis." Wikimedia Commons, 2010, commons.wikimedia.org. Accessed 18 Jan. 2015.
Fig. 21 Robitaille, Liette. "Grumichama Series." Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 2014, www.growables.org.
Fig. 22 Starr, Kim, and Forest. "Eugenia brasiliensis (Brazilian cherry, Grumichama) trunk and bark, Haiku, Maui." Starr Environmental, 2009, (CC BY 2.0), starrenvironmental.com. Accessed 18 Jan. 2015.

*UF/IFAS Assessment of Non-native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas
**Information provided is not intended to be used as a guide for treatment of medical conditions.

Published 12 Apr. 2014 LR. Last update 24 May 2024 LR
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