Skip to main content
FNAI logo, butterfly on a palm frond.

Eugenia uniflora

Common Name: surinam cherry

Family: Myrtaceae

Common Synonyms: Eugenia michelii

USDA Hardiness Zone: 10a-11

Growth Habit: Shrub, tree

Origin: Brazil

FISC Category: 1

FDACS Listed Noxious Weed: No

Introduction Date: 1931

IFAS Assessment:

  • North: CAUTION
  • Central: CAUTION
  • South: INVASIVE
Eugenia uniflora
Dennis Girard

Description

An evergreen branching shrub or small tree, as tall as 10 m. New shoots with reddish hairs and deep red, fleshy new leaves. Leavers are simple, opposite, short petioled. 2.5-8 cm in length, oval shaped, with shiny dark green top surface and duller under surface. Flowers and fruits in spring. Flowers are fragrant and white, 1-1.5 cm across. Flowers occur solitary or in clusters of 2 or 3 at the leaf axil. Fruit fleshy orange to red berry, 4 cm wide with 1-3 seeds.

Habitat

Disturbed hammocks

Comments

In Florida, usually remains shrub sized. Widely planted as a hedge species in central and south Florida. Flowers and fruits in spring, and sometimes has a second flowering period during the fall.

Map of species distribution

Control Methods

  • Manual: Mechanical: Seedlings should be hand pulled
  • Chemical: Basal bark for plants up to « inch diameter, 10% triclopyr ester, cut-stump 50% triclopyr 3A or 10% triclopyr ester.
  • Biological: NA

Control Notes

NA

References

Langeland, K.A., H.M. Cherry, C.M. McCormick, K.C. Burks. 2008. Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas-Second Edition. IFAS Publication SP 257. University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.

IFAS, Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. 2018. Eugenia uniflora. http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/eugenia-uniflora/. Accessed on June 11, 2018.

Langeland, K.A., J.A. Ferrell, B. Sellers, G.E. MacDonald, and R.K. Stocker. 2011. Integrated management of non-native plants in natural areas of Florida. EDIS publication SP 242. University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.

IFAS, UF. 2016. Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. Eugenia uniflora. https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/assessments/Eugenia-uniflora/ Accessed June 11, 2018.

Print Friendly Version