Eugenia superba

Eugenia superba is a newly described and visually stunning fruit tree from the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, specifically the municipality of Niterói in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro. A member of the PhylloThe outermost leaves/petals/carpels/stamens of the flowercalyx section of Eugenia—alongside species like E. involucrata and E. minutifolia—E. superba lives up to its name, which means “remarkably splendid,” thanks to its impressive combination of large, high-quality fruits, ornamental beauty, and majestic form.

The fruit is ellipsoidal to round, measuring up to 4 cm in diameter, with a smooth orange surface, very thin edible skin, and juicy, aromatic pulp that easily detaches from the seed. Its flavor is described as a delightful blend between Rio Grande cherry (Eugenia involucrata) and Surinam cherry (Eugenia selloi). Large persistent sepals and bracteoles give the fruit a distinctive and decorative canopy of a treecrown at both ends.

The tree itself is drops leaves annuallydeciduous, with a columnar growth habit and a smooth bark that peels in patches, revealing shades from yellowish-brown to reddish, much like a jaboticaba or guava. In the wild, it can reach heights of up to 15 meters, though it's expected to remain more compact in cultivation.