Pitangatuba
A rare little tropical cherry with golden star-shaped fruit and a bright sweet-tart bite. Small, slow, well-behaved, and growers love it for a reason.
Eugenia selloi
A tidy little shrub that fruits young, with a bright sweet-tart star-shaped cherry.
Why it works here
Pitangatuba is a small, slow, ornamental shrub that stays put, and unlike its invasive cousin (the Surinam cherry, which we do not plant), it is not an invasive problem. The ribbed yellow-orange fruit looks like a little star and has a bright, juicy, sweet-tart flavor with real tang. Because it stays small and fruits so young, it is a great edible for a container, a small bed, or the front of a border in a Florida-Friendly design.
Care
Keep it evenly moist, especially while it is establishing, since it is a small shrub without deep drought reserves. Feed lightly with compost and balanced organic fertilizer in the warm season and mulch to hold moisture in our sand, correcting any leaf yellowing with organic micronutrients. It is slow-growing and naturally compact, so it needs almost no pruning. Give it a warm spot and light protection on a hard freeze while young.
Common problems
Slow germination and growth: the honest caveat, seeds can take months to sprout and the plant grows slowly, so start with a potted plant if you want fruit sooner.
Rarity: it is uncommon in the trade, so sourcing a plant can take some hunting.
Generally easy: as a small Eugenia it is not especially pest-prone, watch for the same Caribbean fruit fly that likes its relatives and harvest promptly.
Common questions
Is this going to become invasive like Surinam cherry?
It is not listed as invasive, and it behaves very differently, it is a small, slow, shy shrub rather than a fast-spreading hedge. I am comfortable using it where I would never plant a Surinam cherry.
How soon will it fruit?
Remarkably soon, even tiny plants a foot tall can flower and fruit at two to three years old. It is one of the quickest edibles to reward you.
What does it taste like?
A bright, juicy sweet-tart bite with real acidity, and the little star shape makes it fun. Most people eat them fresh right off the bush.
Interested in a pitangatuba in your landscape?
We plan, install, and care for it. Start with a paid consultation.