Fruit from SURINAM CHERRY - Knowledgebase Question

Miami, Fl
Avatar for lidyagarcia
Question by lidyagarcia
April 11, 2009
On the Hedge plant called SURINAM CHERRY or EUGENIA UNIFLORA. I want to know more about the fruit it produce.


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Answer from NGA
April 11, 2009
In Florida, the Surinam cherry is one of the most common hedge plants throughout the central and southern parts of the state and the Florida Keys. The fruits are today mostly eaten by children. In the past, many people allowed the tree to grow naturally and harvested the fruits for culinary use. For a while, small quantities were sold in Miami markets.

The fruits develop and ripen quickly, only 3 weeks after the flowers open. In Brazil, the plants bloom in September and fruits ripen in October; they bloom again in December and January. In Florida and the Bahamas, there is a spring crop, March or April through May or June; and a second crop, September through November, coinciding with the spring and fall rains.

The fruits should be picked only when they are so ripe as to fall into the hand at the lightest touch, otherwise they will be undesirably resinous. Gathering must be done daily or even twice a day.

Hope this answers all your questions!

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