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Myrcianthes pungens - (O.Berg) D.Legrand

Common Name Guabiyu
Family Myrtaceae
USDA hardiness 10-12
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Semi-deciduous forests, the humid understorey of Araucaria forests and on open rocky slopes[416 , 419 ].
Range Southern S. America - Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, southern and eastern Brazil and Bolivia.
Edibility Rating    (4 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Tender Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Myrcianthes pungens Guabiyu


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Myrcianthes pungens Guabiyu
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Summary

Endemic to Brazil, Guabiyu or Myrcianthes pungens is a semi-deciduous and slow-growing tree growing up to 20 m in height. It has a dense and round canopy and a crooked bole that can be about 40 cm in diameter. The leaves are simple and pointed. The flowers are white and located at the leaf axils. Guabiyu is grown throughout the southern part of South America mainly for its edible fruits and timber though it also has medicinal uses. The fruit’s succulent and juicy pulp has a sweet flavor. The wood is heavy, highly durable, and used for cabinet making, turnery, construction, tool handles, etc.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Myrcianthes pungens is a deciduous Tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 15 m (49ft) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Bees.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Acreugenia pungens (O.Berg) Kausel Eugenia pungens O.Berg Eugenia ybaviyu Parodi Luma pungens (O.Ber

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw[416 ]. A succulent, juicy pulp with a sweet, pleasant flavour[416 , 419 ]. The dark purple, globose fruit is up to 25mm in diameter[416 , 419 ].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Miscellany

The leaves are used medicinally[317 ].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Charcoal  Containers  Fuel  Furniture  Miscellany  Wood

Other Uses The wood is straight-grained, compact, heavy, very elastic and very durable[419 ]. It is used for fine cabinet making, turnery, construction, tool handles etc[317 , 419 ]. The wood is used to make charcoal[317 ].

Special Uses

Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A plant of tropical and subtropical areas, mainly at higher elevations up to 2,200 metres in the tropics. Prefers a position in dappled shade[419 ]. A fairly slow-growing plant, it is less than 2 metres tall when 2 years old[419 ].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed or in individual containers. A germination rate in excess of 50% can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 30 - 40 days[419 ]. Seedlings develop slowly and will take at least another 8 months before being ready to plant out[419 ].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Guabiyu, arrayán, guabijú, guabirá, guabiyú, ibaviyú, mato.

Native Range

SOUTHERN AMERICA: Brazil, Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Status: Endangered B1+2c

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

(O.Berg) D.Legrand

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

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