Cayenne cherry
Cayenne cherry: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
Cayenne cherry, also called pitanga or Surinam cherry, is Eugenia uniflora, a fruiting shrub in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, native to South America. Despite its common name, it does not belong to the group of ordinary orchard cherries. Its appeal comes from decorative foliage, small white flowers and deeply ribbed fruit with an immediately recognisable shape. The combination gives it a character quite different from a conventional cherry tree.The plant may form a dense bush with several stems or develop into a small tree. Its leaves are simple, opposite and glossy. Young growth often shows red to bronze tones, contrasting with the darker green of mature foliage. On older plants, the bark may peel in small patches. These varied colours and textures give pitanga ornamental interest even when no fruit is visible.The white flowers carry numerous fine stamens and have a delicate appearance. Bees visit them, and they are followed…
