Shrubs or trees, to 10 m, glabrous except for few simple coppery hairs on buds, bracts, and bracteoles. Twigs slender, compressed distally; bark red­dish, shredding, glandular. Leaves drying glossy pale green abaxially, darker adaxially; petiole channeled, 1–3 mm; blade ovate, 3–6 × 1.5–3 cm, papery, base rounded, margins merging abruptly into edge of petiole, apex acute to acuminate, surfaces with numerous, small, raised glands, becoming punctate adaxially on older leaves. Inflorescences (1 or) 2–6-flowered, short racemes, often appearing fasciculate, flowers rarely solitary; axis 1–2 mm; bud obovoid, 3–5 mm; bracteoles caducous, oblong-lanceolate, 1 × 0.5 mm, base distinct, margins ciliate, apex acute. Pedicels gracile, 15–25 mm. Flowers: hypanthium campanulate, 8–ribbed, 1–1.5 mm; calyx lobes oblong, subequal, 2.5–4 × 1.5–2 mm, margins ciliate, apex rounded or acute; petals obovate, 4–6 × 2.5–4 mm, margins ciliate, apex rounded; disc 2–2.5 mm diam.; stamens 40–70, 4–6 mm; style 4–7 mm. Berries deep bright red, globose, 12–15 mm diam., 8-costate; calyx persistent, erect.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting year-round.
Habitat: Hammocks, distrubed areas.
Elevation: 0–20 m.

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Introduced; Fla., South America

Discussion

Eugenia uniflora has escaped from cultivation in the flora area and is known from the central and southern parts of the peninsula.

Eugenia uniflora has been widely cultivated since pre-Columbian times. Its native range is unknown, but it is generally assumed to have originated in Brazil or, possibly, northern South America; R. McVaugh (1969) thought that southern Brazil was most likely. The species is prized for its fruit and is also grown as a specimen tree or trained as a formal hedge.

The Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council has listed Eugenia uniflora as a Class 1 invasive, a taxon that displaces native species or disrupts native habitats.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.