Fauna
Plant

Surinam Cherry

Eugenia uniflora

Also known as Pitanga, Brazilian Cherry, Cayenne Cherry, Florida Cherry

Surinam cherry forms dense evergreen thickets characterized by glossy, bronze-tinted young foliage that releases a resinous fragrance when crushed. Its distinctive pumpkin-shaped, deeply ribbed fruits transition from bright green to rich crimson and deep purple-black as they mature. While effective at stabilizing coastal soil in its native range, it spreads aggressively via animal-dispersed seeds in many warm regions worldwide.

Fruiting ShrubAromaticSubtropical
Surinam Cherry reference
(c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyPhotosynthetic (sunlight, water, soil minerals)
Predators
  • Cedar waxwing
  • Northern mockingbird
  • Fruit bats
ThreatsHabitat clearing in native river basins; targeted by eradication efforts where invasive
HabitatsCoastal scrub, riverbanks, forest borders, disturbed woodlands
Life span40–80 years
Classification
  1. OrderMyrtales
  2. FamilyMyrtaceae
  3. GenusEugenia
  4. SpeciesEugenia uniflora
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Wild berries have toxic look-alikes; never eat based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
  • Identification: Look for distinctive eight-ribbed fruits and copper-tinted emerging leaves.
  • Invasive Check: Consult regional flora registries before introducing to non-native landscapes.
  • Hedge Care: Shear lightly after flowering to preserve dense foliage and branching.
Related species
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