Grumichama (Eugenia brasiliensis)
Grumichama is one of those “why don’t more people grow this?” fruit trees—an evergreen, glossy-leaved beauty that can look ornamental all year and still reward you with rich, cherry-like fruit. The berries can ripen deep purple to near-black (sometimes red depending on selection), and the flavor lands somewhere between a dark cherry and a berry with a subtle tropical edge—sweet, fragrant, and surprisingly memorable.
In Florida planting zone 9, grumichama is often grown as a small tree or large shrub. It fits nicely into a food forest as an understory-to-midstory fruiting plant: give it sun for best fruiting, a little shelter from harsh winter wind, and soil that stays evenly moist but not soggy. Once established, it can be a steady, low-drama evergreen presence that turns into a fruiting event when the crop comes in.
If you like edible landscaping, grumichama shines: tidy habit, attractive foliage, pollinator-friendly blooms, and fruit that tends to disappear fast (from people and wildlife). A thick mulch ring and consistent moisture during flowering/fruit fill are the simple “secret” to better harvests.
Any reference to medicinal or culinary use of plants or plant parts should in no way be considered an endorsement by The Ocala Food Forest or its staff. Research is crucial in safe and proper consumption or experimentational use of any plant.
Plant Information
| Scientific Name: | Eugenia brasiliensis |
|---|---|
| Family Name: | Myrtaceae (Myrtle family) |
| Common Name(s): | Grumichama, Brazilian Cherry |
| Size: | Commonly 8–20 ft as a cultivated small tree/shrub; can be kept smaller with pruning |
| Plant Type: | Evergreen fruiting shrub/tree (woody perennial) |
| Sun Requirements: | Full sun to partial shade (best fruiting in fuller sun) |
| Origin/Geographic Distribution: | Native to Brazil; grown in warm subtropical regions as an edible ornamental |
| Native to: | Brazil |
| Florida Status: | Non-native. Not typically listed as invasive; always verify with local/state invasive plant lists for your county. |
| Planted range in the USA: | Primarily Florida; also grown by collectors in Hawaii and warm protected microclimates along the Gulf Coast and Southern California |
| Conservation Status: | Not listed as threatened or endangered (cultivated in landscapes) |
Cultivation
| Planting: | Plant in spring (after the last frost risk) so roots establish before the hottest weather; fall planting works in warm microclimates with good irrigation |
|---|---|
| Sun Exposure: | Full sun to partial shade |
| Soil Type: | Well-drained loam/sandy loam with organic matter; avoid standing water and compacted soil |
| Soil pH: | About 5.5–6.8 (slightly acidic is often ideal) |
| Water Requirements: | Moderate; keep evenly moist during establishment and during flowering/fruit fill. Mulch heavily to stabilize moisture. |
| Fertilizer Requirements: | Moderate; feed lightly in spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or compost and reapply modestly in early summer if growth is pale. |
| Pruning Requirements: | Low to moderate; prune after fruiting to shape, improve airflow, and keep harvest height reachable |
| Growth Rate: | Medium (about 1–2 ft per year once established, depending on water, fertility, and temperature) |
| Companion Planting: | Best with living mulches and pollinator plants that don’t crowd the trunk—keep a clear mulch ring around the base |
Tolerance and Hardiness
| Drought Tolerance: | Low to moderate; drought stress can reduce flowering and fruit size—mulch and consistent watering help |
|---|---|
| Frost Tolerance: | Moderate for a subtropical fruit; young plants are more sensitive. Protect from hard freezes and cold wind in zone 9 |
| Heat Tolerance: | Good to excellent; appreciates moisture during extreme heat |
| Wind Tolerance: | Moderate; plant where it’s sheltered from cold north winds and strong storm funnels if possible |
| Salt Tolerance: | Low to moderate; avoid direct salt spray and salty soils |
| USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: | Commonly grown in 9–11 (cold tolerance varies by plant age, placement, and microclimate) |
Flower and Fruit Information
| Fruit Type: | Fleshy berry |
|---|---|
| Harvest Time: | Typically late spring into summer in warm subtropics (timing varies). Harvest when fruit is fully colored (deep purple/black on dark types), slightly soft to the touch, and releases easily with a gentle twist. |
| Fruit Description: | Cherry-like fruit with a rich, sweet flavor; thin to moderate skin; usually 1–3 seeds (varies) |
| Edible Plant: | Yes (fruit) |
| Edible Parts: | Fruit flesh (discard seeds/pits) |
| Medicinal: | Sometimes discussed in traditional herbal contexts, but primarily grown as a fruit tree; treat any medicinal claims as “research-only,” not guidance |
| Flower Color: | White |
| Flower Shape: | Small, starry blossoms with prominent stamens (typical of many Myrtaceae) |
| Fragrance: | Light, sweet fragrance that attracts pollinators |
| Flower Bloom Time: | March–May (often spring; can shift with weather and microclimate) |
| Bloom Duration: | Several weeks, often in flushes |
| Pollination: Self or Other? | Often self-fertile, but fruit set can improve with multiple plants and strong pollinator activity |
Wildlife
| Attracts: | Bees and beneficial insects during bloom; birds and wildlife may target ripe fruit |
|---|---|
| Pollinators: | Bees and other small pollinators drawn to the white blossoms |
| Problematic Pest: | Can include scale insects, aphids, mites, and fruit-feeding pests (pressure varies by site). Birds can be the “biggest pest” once fruit colors up. |
Health and Safety
| Toxic: | Generally considered non-toxic as a fruit tree |
|---|---|
| Poisonous Parts of Plant: | No commonly recognized poisonous parts for people; seeds are not eaten (discard) |
| Toxic to Humans: | Not toxic; wash fruit before eating. If sensitive to plant saps, wear gloves during heavy pruning |
| Toxic to Animals: | Not commonly listed as toxic; as with most fruits, large quantities of fallen fruit can cause mild stomach upset in pets |
| Plant Diseases to be aware of: | Leaf spots, anthracnose-like issues, and root rot in poorly drained soils; prioritize airflow, sanitation, and drainage |
Companion Planting
For Eugenia brasiliensis (Grumichama), the best companions are plants that build soil, hold moisture, attract pollinators, and suppress weeds—without crowding the trunk. Keep a clear mulch ring around the base, then place companions on the dripline and in nearby guild layers.
Florida Native: Sunshine Mimosa (Mimosa strigillosa)
Zone Range: 8–11
Benefits: Nitrogen-fixing living mulch that improves soil and feeds pollinators with pink blooms.
Use: Let it carpet around the dripline and pathways; keep it trimmed back from the trunk zone.
Florida Native: Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora)
Zone Range: 7–11
Benefits: Low groundcover that supports pollinators and reduces soil splash during heavy rains.
Use: Great around guild edges and paths near the tree—avoid letting it pack tight against the trunk.
Florida Native: Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)
Zone Range: 6–10
Benefits: Adds wildlife value and diversity; can help buffer wind when planted as an outer ring.
Use: Plant on the windward side of the guild (not so close it shades the grumichama).
Florida Friendly: Perennial Peanut (Arachis glabrata)
Zone Range: 8–11
Benefits: Dense, low-maintenance groundcover for weed suppression; flowers support beneficial insects.
Use: Use under and near the canopy edge where there’s sun; keep a mulch ring at the trunk.
Florida Friendly: Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan)
Zone Range: 9–11 (often grown as an annual in cooler zones)
Benefits: Nitrogen-fixer and biomass powerhouse for chop-and-drop mulch; can act as a temporary nurse plant.
Use: Plant on the outer ring, prune for mulch, and remove/replace as the grumichama matures.
Florida Friendly: Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)
Zone Range: 9–11
Benefits: Aromatic border clumps provide mulch material and help define the guild edge.
Use: Plant as a border beyond the dripline so it doesn’t compete with the tree’s feeder roots.
In zone 9, plant grumichama where it gets sun but avoids the coldest winter wind (south/east exposure is often kinder). Mulch deeply, keep the trunk collar dry, and prune for airflow after fruiting. If fruit set is light, increase pollinator support with blooming companions and avoid heavy nitrogen during flowering.
Sources & References
Reference list used for general horticultural guidance and Florida-relevant best practices (not medical advice):
- UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions — Florida-friendly planting and pruning fundamentals that apply to many fruit trees.
- UF/IFAS EDIS Publication Database — research-based references for soils, irrigation, fertilizing, and pest/disease concepts in Florida landscapes.
- Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program — water-wise and sustainable landscape best practices (mulch, irrigation, right plant/right place).
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map — zone reference framework used for planting suitability.
- USDA PLANTS Database — taxonomic naming and general distribution reference.
- California Rare Fruit Growers (CRFG) — practical growing notes from rare-fruit hobbyists (use alongside Florida-specific guidance).