Eugenia involucrata
Rio Grande Cherry
Eugenia involucrata
Eugenia involucrata is one of the hardiest and most reliable of the Eugenia genus that fruits here in northern California. People often refer to this plant as the Cherry of the Rio Grande, or CORG, and it is certainly reminiscent of a cherry! The fruit is a large red tear dropped shape fruit that has a sweet and slightly resinous flavor. It is believed to be related to, or maybe even the same species as E. calycina yet this species appears to be less pigmented in the fruit, melt in your mouth soft and has smaller flowers. CORG is definitely something that should be planted in your garden.
Family: Myrtaceae
Name: Eugenia involucrata
Common Name / Native Name: Cherry of the Rio Grande
Range: Bolivia to Brazil
Sun: Full sun/ Part shade
Height: 40+ feet
Width: 20+ feet
Foliage: Bright light green new foliage that remains a lighter green color at maturity
Flower: White, large, myrtaceous flower
Fruit: A medium sized dark red/purple fruit throughout.
Soil Type/ pH: Prefers acidity but doesn’t seem to be affected by high pH soil.
USDA Climate Zones: 9b+, with potential to 9a
Cold Hardiness: Survived frosts to high 20’s for brief amounts of time, some tip die back.
Edibility: Delicious fruit, great for eating out of hand and to be used in preserves or other creative applications.
Age to maturity: 3+ years