Pitomba Tree

The Pitomba Tree brings a taste of Brazil to your garden, with golden fruit that tastes a little like apricot. Native to northeastern Brazil, this slow-growing evergreen also has a story that reaches beyond its home. In 1914, for example, plant explorers collected its seeds in Bahia and sent them to the United States.

Known botanically as Eugenia luschnathiana, it produces orange-yellow fruit with soft, juicy flesh and a fragrant, slightly tangy flavour. In Brazil, people enjoy the fruit fresh or use it in jellies, preserves, and drinks.

What makes the Pitomba Tree special?

The Pitomba Tree offers more than unusual fruit. It provides an attractive backdrop year-round. Young growth can have bronze-coloured hairs, while delicate white flowers appear among the leaves.

As the small fruits develop, they form a distinctive crown of green sepals. Inside their thin skin, the golden flesh has a soft, melting texture. Once ripe, enjoy the fruit fresh or turn your harvest into homemade jelly or preserves. Each fruit also contains one or more seeds.

Growing your Pitomba Tree

For the best results, give your Pitomba Tree a warm, sheltered position in full sun to partial shade. It suits tropical and subtropical gardens and also appreciates well-drained soil. Water regularly, especially during flowering and fruit development. Furthermore, protect young plants from frost.

Because it grows slowly, it is a lovely choice for a large pot or a smaller garden. Alternatively, when planted in the ground, it can grow into a small tree. However, you can prune it to help maintain a manageable size.

Although one tree can produce fruit on its own, growing a second tree may improve fruit set. Keep in mind that seedling-grown plants can vary in their fruit size and flavour.

To discover another Brazilian fruit, pair it with our Jaboticaba plant or Yellow Grumichama Plant.

Other names

The Pitomba Tree is also known as Bahia pitomba, cherry pitomba, pitomba-da-bahia, pitomba-da-baía, pitombeira, pitombeira-da-baía, curuiri, cucuiri, uvalha-do-campo, ubaia-do-campo and uvalheira.

Please note: The name pitomba also refers to another fruit species. However, this plant is Eugenia luschnathiana, the yellow-orange-fruited pitomba.