Edible Plants of the World

Uvalha

A tropical and subtropical plant. In Brazil it grows in semi-deciduous forest on the plateau. It grows between 300-1,500 m above sea level. It can tolerate light frost and drought. It grows in areas with low to medium rainfall. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,300 m above sea level.

Also known as:

Ubaia, Uvaia, Uvaieira, Uva jay, Uvalha-do-campo

Synonyms

Edible Portion

Where does Uvalha grow?

Found in: Asia, Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Indonesia, Pacific, Paraguay, Philippines, SE Asia, South America, Uruguay

Notes: There are about 550 Eugenia species. They are mostly in tropical and subtropical South America.

Status: It is a cultivated fruit tree.

Growing Uvalha

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. The ripe fruit are harvested and the seeds collected with running water. They are dried in the shade. Seeds can only be stored for about 60 days. Plants are grown from fresh seed. They germinate in 10-40 days. Seedlings can be transplanted into the field after 10-11 months.

Edible Uses: The fruit can be eaten raw or used for juice. The fruit pulp is used for flavouring and drinks. They are edible but sour.

Production: Plants grow slowly. They may reach 2 m high after 2 years growth. Trees can take 10 years to start to produce fruit. Fruit matures in 60 days.

Nutrition Info

per 100g edible portion

Edible Part Energy (kcal) Protein (g) Iron (mg) Vitamin A (ug) Vitamin c (mg) Zinc (mg) % Water
Fruit - - - - 39.3 - 89.3
Fruit 21 0.6 0.7 - 38.2 0.1 94.2

References

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Brazil: Biodiversity for Food and Nutrition. http://www.b4fn.org/countries/brazil/

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Coronel, R.E., 1982, Fruit Collections in the Philippines. IBPGR Newsletter p 6 (As uvalha)

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Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 158 (As uvalha)

Fouqué, A., 1972, Espèces fruitières d'Amérique tropicale. Institut français de recherches fruitierès outre-mer (As Eugenia vauthiereana)

Garner, R.J., and Chaudhri, S.A., (Ed.) 1976, The Propagation of Tropical fruit Trees. FAO/CAB. p 358 (As uvalha)

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Popenoe, (As uvalha)

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www.colecionandofrutas.org