PITOMBA
(Eugenia luschnathiana)

A portion of pitomba tree

 Family: Myrtaceae

Synonyms: Eugenia lucescens, Phyllocalyx luschnathium.

 Pitomba fruits being sold in Brazil.

Pitomba is a small, spreading evergreen tree or shrub which may attain a height of 25 to 30 feet. It is a native of Brazil. The tree has a compact growth habit with dense foliage and is quite attractive, especially when in fruit. The leathery leaves are elliptical lanceolate, about 3 inches long and are a glossy deep green color on the upper surface and light green below. The white flowers which are up to 1 inch across, are quite showy.  The flowering takes place from April to June in Florida, USA.

Fruits of pitomba

The fruit is broadly obovoid, about an inch long, with the apex crowned by 4 or 5 green sepals, about ½ inch long. The thin skin is a bright orange yellow. The soft, melting, juicy flesh is orange in color and aromatic, sweet to subacid in flavor. The fruit contains 1 to several seeds attached to one side of the seed cavity.

Pitomba flower

The fruit matures from May to June and sometimes there is a light crop in the fall. A pitomba tree can be propagated by seed.  The plant usually begins fruiting in about the fourth year after planting.

Pitomba fruits cut open.

The fruits are eaten fresh.  These are also used for making juices, jelly and jam or sweets