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Pitanga
Cayenne cherry (Eugenia uniflora), or square cherry, or Creole cherry, or ribbed cherry or russet is a fruit tree of the family Myrtaceae.
Eugenia uniflora is native to tropical America: Argentina and Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil, Guyana, Suriname. The species is very widely cultivated in the tropics, sometimes naturalized, it is listed as an invasive species.
This shrub spreads its slender branches up to 7 meters high, it is very provided and very ramified. In the elderly, the bark is sliced into patches.
Its ovate to lanceolate leaves are simple opposite and fragrant Young they have a reddish hue and then sport a beautiful lustrous green. The midrib is depressed above, arched towards the margin. The petiole is 3 to 4 mm long.
The cherry blossom of Cayenne is white, fragrant.
The fruit, the ribbed cherry is a globose berry, 8 prominent ribs 2 to 3 cm in diameter. It matures in October and November. Its thin and green skin becomes dark orange then red scarlet at maturity or brown according to the type cultivated. The soft, juicy pulp has a light bitterness mixed with acidity and a spicy flavor. It contains an oblong seed. There are many varieties of cayenne cherries, some are sweet, the big-berry variety is spicy and aromatic.
An adult tree can produce ten kilograms of fruit a year, which can be tasted fresh, or made into jellies, jams, wines and liqueurs.
Seeded and then sprinkled with sugar and chilled, the ribbed cherry loses its harshness and is used like a strawberry.
The seeds are extremely resinous and should not be eaten.
In Brazil, leaf infusion is taken as stomachic, febrifuge and astringent. In Suriname, a leaf decoction is drunk as a cold remedy and, in combination with lemongrass, as febrifuge. The leaves produce essential oil.