Beach Cambuca facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Beach Cambuca |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Myrciaria
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| Species: |
strigipes
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| Synonyms | |
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Myrciaria strigipes, often called cambucá da praia (which means "beach cambucá") or cabeludinha da praia (meaning "beach, little hairy"), is a special kind of plant. It belongs to the Myrtaceae family, which also includes plants like eucalyptus and guava.
About the Beach Cambucá
This plant is an evergreen shrub or a small tree. "Evergreen" means it keeps its leaves all year round, even in winter. It is also "endemic" to a specific area. This means it grows naturally only in the states of Bahia and Espírito Santo in eastern Brazil. You won't find it growing wild anywhere else in the world!
Where it Grows
The Myrciaria strigipes loves the warm climate of eastern Brazil. It grows especially well near the coast, which is why it's called "beach cambucá." Its natural home is in the forests and sandy areas close to the ocean in Bahia and Espírito Santo.
What it Looks Like
This plant can grow quite tall for a shrub or small tree. It usually reaches between 4 and 9 meters (about 13 to 30 feet) in height. Its leaves are always green, making it a beautiful sight throughout the year.
Its Delicious Fruit
One of the most exciting things about the Myrciaria strigipes is its fruit! The plant produces small, round, yellowish fruits. These fruits are about 22 to 28 millimeters (less than an inch) across. They are completely safe to eat raw. People who have tried them say they have a unique and tasty flavor. The taste is often described as being somewhere between the flavors of other Brazilian fruits like Myrciaria glazioviana and Plinia cauliflora.
