Cherry - Surinam Black
Eugenia uniflora (black variety)
Common Names: Surinam Cherry, Pitanga, Brazilian Cherry, Cayenne Cherry
Local Name: Pitanga (Portuguese/Tamil adopted)
Family: Myrtaceae
Origin: Eastern South America (Brazil, Suriname, Guyana, Uruguay)
Plant Type: Perennial evergreen shrub to small tree
Variety: Black variety — dark purple-black fruit with sweeter, less resinous flavour
Average Lifespan: 25–40 years
🌿 Botanical Description
| Growth Habit | Dense, compact evergreen shrub or small tree; excellent for hedging |
| Plant Size | 2–8 meters tall; spread 2–5 meters |
| Leaves | Opposite, ovate-lanceolate, 3–7 cm long, glossy dark green; new leaves coppery-red; aromatic when crushed |
| Flowers | White, 1–1.5 cm across, 4-petaled, with numerous prominent stamens; borne singly or in small clusters |
| Flower Characteristics | Fragrant; attract bees; bloom profusely in spring and sometimes again in autumn |
| Fruit | Distinctive ribbed (8-grooved) oblate berry, 2–4 cm diameter; thin skin, juicy aromatic flesh |
| Fruit Color | Green turning deep purple to black when fully ripe (black variety) |
| Seed Characteristics | 1–3 round seeds per fruit; seeds should not be eaten (resinous) |
| Root System | Fibrous, moderately deep; adaptable to various soils |
☀ Growing Conditions
| Climate | Tropical to warm subtropical; tolerates mild frost briefly |
| Temperature Range | 18–35°C ideal; tolerates brief frost to -3°C (mature plants) |
| Rainfall Requirement | 800–2000 mm annually; adaptable |
| Soil Type | Well-drained sandy to loamy; tolerates poor soils |
| Soil pH Preference | 5.5–7.0 |
| Sun Requirement | Full sun to partial shade |
| Spacing | 2–4 meters between plants; closer for hedging |
| Irrigation Method | Drip irrigation; moderate watering |
| Water Requirement | Low to moderate; drought-tolerant once established |
| Can it Grow in Pots? | Yes, excellent container plant (15–25 liters); responds well to pruning |
🌾 Cultivation & Care
| Fertilizer Schedule | 2–3 times per year; spring, mid-summer, early autumn |
| Recommended Organic Fertilizers | Compost, vermicompost, fish emulsion, acidifying fertilizers |
| Pesticide Frequency | Rarely needed; naturally pest-resistant |
| Recommended Organic Pesticides | Neem oil for occasional scale; fruit fly traps during fruiting |
| Mulching Practice | Organic mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds |
| Training System | Natural form; excellent as formal or informal hedge |
| Pruning Time | After fruiting; shape as desired |
| How to Prune | Responds excellently to pruning; hedge-trim or shape as topiary; tip-prune for bushiness |
| Common Pests | Caribbean fruit fly, scale insects, birds |
| Common Diseases | Leaf spot, rust (rare); generally very disease-resistant |
| Disease Prevention & Remedies | Good air circulation; minimal intervention needed |
🌸 Flowering & Fruiting
| Flowering Months | Spring (main flush); may flower again in autumn in tropics |
| Fruiting Season | 3–4 weeks after flowering; rapid fruit development |
| Days to Harvest | 21–28 days from flowering (very fast) |
| Harvest Indicators | Fruit turns deep purple-black; softens; sweet aroma; falls easily from branch |
| Average Yield per Plant | 5–20 kg per plant per year |
| Pollination Type | Self-fertile; insect pollination |
| Pollination Notes | Bees are primary pollinators; self-fertile but cross-pollination improves yield |
🌱 Pollination & Propagation
| Pollination Details | Self-fertile; bees attracted to fragrant white flowers |
| Propagation by Seeds | Seeds germinate in 3–6 weeks; seedlings fruit in 2–4 years; fairly true-to-type |
| Propagation by Cuttings | Semi-hardwood cuttings root in 6–8 weeks with rooting hormone |
| Propagation by Grafting | Veneer grafting on Eugenia rootstock for selected black varieties |
💧 Environmental Impact & Sustainability
| Water Usage | Low; drought-tolerant once established |
| Soil Conservation Practices | Dense root system and hedge form prevent erosion |
| Organic Practices Used | Minimal inputs needed; naturally pest-resistant |
| Companion Plants | Other Myrtaceae species, herbs, ground covers |
| Biodiversity Benefits | Fruit attracts birds; flowers support bees; dense foliage provides nesting habitat |
💰 Economic Importance
| Commercial Production Regions | Brazil, Florida (USA), Hawaii, India, Israel, Philippines |
| Market Uses | Fresh fruit, ornamental hedge, landscaping |
| Processing Uses | Jams, jellies, juice, ice cream, liqueur |
| Market Value (Approx.) | ₹100–300 per kg (niche market); black variety commands premium |
🌿 Cultural Significance
| Symbolism | National fruit of Suriname; "Pitanga" from Tupi-Guarani meaning "red" |
| Traditional Uses | Leaf tea used in Brazilian folk medicine for fever and flu; essential oil from leaves used as insect repellent |
🍈 Nutritional Information
| Calories | 33 kcal per 100g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.6 g per 100g |
| Vitamin C | 26 mg per 100g |
| Vitamin A | 1200 IU per 100g |
| Iron | 0.2 mg per 100g |
| Potassium | 103 mg per 100g |
| Antioxidants | Anthocyanins (black variety), lycopene, beta-carotene, phenolic compounds |
| Other Key Nutrients | Calcium, phosphorus, riboflavin, niacin |
🌿 Medicinal Uses
| Anxiety & Sleep | Leaf essential oil used in aromatherapy for relaxation |
| Immune Support | Vitamin C and antioxidants support immune function |
| Anti-inflammatory Properties | Leaf extracts show anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity |
| Heart Health | Lycopene and anthocyanins may support cardiovascular health |
| Digestive Health | Leaf tea used traditionally for diarrhoea and digestive complaints |
Disclaimer: Information provided is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for medical advice.
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