Plinia peruviana facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Plinia peruviana
Scientific classification
Genus:	Plinia
Species:	peruviana
Synonyms
Eugenia cauliflora Miq. [Illegitimate] Eugenia guapurium DC. [Illegitimate] Eugenia rabeniana Kiaersk. Guapurium fruticosum Spreng. Guapurium peruvianum Poir. Myrciaria guapurium (DC.) O.Berg [Illegitimate] Myrciaria peruviana (Poir.) Mattos Myrciaria peruviana var. trunciflora (O.Berg) Mattos Myrciaria trunciflora O.Berg Plinia trunciflora (O.Berg) Kausel

Plinia peruviana, commonly known as jabuticaba cabinho (small stemmed jabuticaba) in Brazil, is a species of plant in the family Myrtaceae. It is endemic to central, South America.

Description

Plinia peruviana is a tree that grows to between 4 and 14 metres tall, and is usually found in mixed araucaria forests, on alluvial plains and in open forest. It produces edible fruit, between 18 and 25 mm in diameter, which is dark-purple in colour. Unlike other Jabuticabas the fruits of Plinia peruviana are connected to the tree by long stems, resembling cherries.

Uses

Fruits can be eaten fresh or made into jelly, juice, wine or liqueur. Research has shown that the fruit has potential uses as a dye, flavouring or antioxidant.

Extract from the fruit peel has been shown to be antifungal and protect against copper toxicity.

See also

In Spanish: Plinia peruviana para niños