Eugenia

:This page is about a genus of flowering plants. For other meanings see Eugenia (disambiguation)

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About 1,000; see text

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Eugenia is a genus of flowering plants, belonging to the myrtle family Myrtaceae. It has a worldwide distribution in tropical and subtropical regions, but with the bulk of the approximately 1,000 species found in the New World tropics. Some botanists include the closely related Old World genus Syzygium within Eugenia.

Related Topics:
Genus - Flowering plant - Myrtaceae - New World - Botanist - Old World - Syzygium

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Most species are evergreen trees and shrubs. Several species are grown as ornamental plants for their attractive glossy foliage, and a few produce edible fruit that are eaten fresh or used in jams and jellies.

Related Topics:
Evergreen - Tree - Shrub

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In Australia, Eugenia species are sometimes used as food plants by the larvae of hepialid moths of the genus Aenetus. These burrow horizontally into the trunk then vertically down.

Related Topics:
Australia - Larva - Hepialid - Moth - Aenetus

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;Selected species

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• Eugenia aggregata (Cherry-of-the-Rio-Grande). Native to Brazil, a large shrub or small tree which grows to 5 meters in height. Leaves are dark glossy green, elliptical, to 7 cm long. White flowers mature into reddish fruits, which grow to 2 cm long and have the flavor of cherries.
• Eugenia alternifolia
• Eugenia atropunctata
• Eugenia brasiliensis
• Eugenia confusa
• Eugenia coronata
• Eugenia foetida
• Eugenia klotzschiana
• Eugenia ligustrina
• Eugenia luschnathiana (Pitomba)
• Eugenia monticola
• Eugenia natalitia
• Eugenia orbiculata
• Eugenia pitanga (Pitanga)
• Eugenia supra-axillaris
• Eugenia uniflora (Surinam Cherry). Native to tropical America, a large shrub or small tree with a conical form, growing slowly to 8 meters in height. Leaves are glossy green to 4 cm long, and new leaves are copper-colored. Fragrant white flowers mature into reddish fruits to 2 cm in diameter. Flavor ranges from sweet to sour, depending on the variety. Often used in gardens as a hedge or screen.
• Eugenia uvalha
• Eugenia zeyheri