 Family:
Myrtaceae (myrtle family).
IT is a small tropical tree, indigenous to the Amazon rainforest. it
has pointed ovate-lanceolate leaves.
The leaves are deep green but turn red.The leaves have also an
essential oil containing citronella, cineole, terpenine,
sesquiterpenes and others.
The fruits are round, red to dark red, deeply longitudinal grooved
berries.
There is also a variety with dark crimson fruit; this one is
sweeter.
They are very juicy and have a high vitamin C content.
Besides the vitamin C it has also calcium and phosphorus, iron ,
vitamin A, riboflavinine, niacine.
The fruits contain one or sometimes two, round light brown seeds.
Surinam cherry is also used for bonsai and has medicinal
applications.
Besides cultivation for it's fruit, it can also be used in
landscaping since it makes hedges, amenable to clipping.
In Brazil, the juice is fermented into wine or vinegar.
Propagation: seeds and cuttings.
Culture: full sun / partial shade, moist soil.No tolerance for salt.
|
