Eugenia agathopoda

Eugenia agathopoda is a remarkable and underappreciated fruit species from the Amazon Rainforest, belonging to the Myrtaceae family. Known for its large, resembling an eggovoid fruits—measuring 6–8 cm in length and weighing up to 150 grams—this species stands out for its very rough orange skin, which is thin and edible, enclosing a juicy, fluffy-textured pulp with a moderately acidic flavor. Each fruit contains a single, loose seed, making it easy to process for consumption.

In its natural habitat, the tree grows between 3 to 12 meters tall, though in cultivation it tends to remain compact, especially when grown in containers. It has grayish bark and branches, with a low, oval canopy of a treecrown, giving it a distinctive and manageable form for home gardens and agroforestry systems.

Eugenia agathopoda excels in culinary applications—its flavorful pulp is ideal for juices, ice creams, sweets, and jellies. The species is well-suited for pot cultivation, thanks to its moderate growth rate and adaptable size.

It prefers fertile, moist (but not waterlogged) soils, rich in organic matter, and thrives in full sun to partial shade in tropical to subtropical climates, though it favors the former. First discovered by botanist Ernst Ule during his early 20th-century exploration of Acre, the species was initially placed in the Corymbiflorae section but is now classified under Section Umbellatae.

Native to the Upper Juruá River region, Eugenia agathopoda has since been documented in the states of Amazonas and Pará, and remains a rare and valuable fruit tree with strong potential for cultivation, conservation, and broader use in Amazonian fruit development.