Cultivar Reference › Sapotes & tropical fruit › Cherry of Rio Grande
Cherry of Rio Grande
Eugenia involucrata
Matt's 9b field note
“'Tropical cherries.' Heat-loving Eugenia experiment.”
Background
Cherry of the Rio Grande is native to Brazil (especially Rio Grande do Sul), northeastern Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay. It has been grown in Florida since before 1920 but never achieved widespread popularity despite excellent fruit quality. Formerly known as Eugenia aggregata.
Distinguishing traits
Dark red to deep purple oblong fruit about 1 inch with thin skin, juicy sweet pulp, and usually a single seed; tastes like a tangy Bing cherry. Slow-growing small evergreen tree (10-25 ft) with glossy dark green leaves, smooth peeling bark, and white spring flowers.
Desert care — zone 9b
- Chill hours
- None.
- Cold hardiness
- Mature trees hardy to about 15-20°F; young plants hardy to about 25°F. Well suited to zone 9b with light frost protection when young.
- Heat tolerance
- Good heat tolerance for a Eugenia and genuinely heat-loving once established; in 110°F+ heat, afternoon shade and deep watering help fruit quality.
- Water
- Drought-tolerant but needs adequate water during bloom and fruit development; water deeply while fruiting.
- Soil
- Adaptable to most soils; prefers slightly acidic (pH 5.5-6.5); intolerant of salt and very alkaline soil.
- Sun exposure
- Full sun to part shade; afternoon shade helps in extreme desert heat.
Where to buy
- Practical Plants FL