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Eugenia brasiliensis, Gruminchama

Gruminchama is an evergreen, small tree or large shrub that grows to about 20 feet and can serve many purposes in the landscape. They are native to sandy coastal areas. The shiny, opposite leaves emerge reddish-green turning a medium green several weeks later. The canopy remains dense, even in the partial shade. White or cream-yellow flowers have numerous, showy stamens that are yellow in color. These flowers occur in axillary clusters during the warm months, but they abscise quickly. Pollen causes mild allergies. The edible fruits are drupe-like, juicy cherry-like berries that are globose or pear-shaped and very showy. They can make a mess on a sidewalk.

Gruminchama may be used in the landscape as hedges, screens, or in shrub borders. They are excellent for confined soil spaces due to their small size. They can be used as foundation plantings for large commercial buildings if regularly clipped. Eugenia species are also exceptional understory shrubs or small trees and make interesting specimen plants due to the showy trunk structure. They maintain a nice canopy in a shaded landscape.

Stoppers grow well in a variety of light levels and they tolerate different types of well-drained soils. These plants have moderate salt tolerance. Unlike other Eugenia species Gruminchama is not tolerant of dry soil. Irrigation in dry weather is most helpful to maintain a dense canopy. They can be trained into a small tree with training.