From the Archives
of the Rare Fruit Council of Australia
by Christine Gray
The Grumichama
Scienticic
names: Eugenia
dombeyi or E.
brasiliensis
Family:
Myrtaceae
One
of the most attractive trees to grow in your garden is the Grumichama.
Landscaping with trees from which you can eat the fruit is a rewarding
pastime. The Grumichama should have a place in your tropical garden.
The
leaves of the Grumichama are a beautiful leathery, glossy, green, 7 to
10cm long, 2 to 5 cm wide, and when new growth appears, it has reddish
young leaves.
At the height of about 75cm and only 2½
years old, you can expect the Grumichama to flower around July -
August. A beautiful display of attractive small, white flowers covers
the tree. The flowers have no perfume, but the bees are attracted to
the pollen-laden stamens. Fruit development and maturity takes only 5
weeks. The fruit hang on long stems in small clusters, changing from
green to red, and then to a dark purplish-black. The flesh is whitish
with flecks of red, and the size of the fruit is about 3cm in diameter,
with 3 tiny petals protruding on the bottom of the fruit.
I have
found that the best way to eat the Grumichama is to wait until it is
purplish-black, and taking hold of the three petals, squeeze the flesh
into the mouth. The skin can be eaten as well. The flavour is much like
a cherry, melting and sweet. The fruit will keep up to 3 days if picked
when purplish-black, or longer if picked in the red stage and left to
ripen.
The fruit usually has only one seed, but germination is
easy, taking from 4 to 6 weeks. An acid, rich, moist soil is very
favourable for the Grumichama, but it will grow in other soil types
with mulching and proper care. Nutritional sprays and organic
fertilizers benefit the tree enormously. This tree is a must for one's
garden.
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