Family: Myrtaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Plinia edulis is a tropical fruit tree native to southeastern and southern Brazil, extending into northeastern Argentina. It is an evergreen member of the myrtle family with dense, glossy leaves and a compact growth form. The tree produces round, edible fruits that are similar to jaboticaba and are enjoyed fresh or processed into juices, jams, and desserts. In its native range, cambucá is valued both as a wild-harvested food source and as a specialty fruit tree in home gardens and small orchards.

Risks & Threats
Cambucá is considered low risk and is not known to be invasive in Hawaiʻi or other tropical island ecosystems. There are no significant reports of it spreading aggressively or negatively affecting native habitats. While generally well-behaved in cultivation, it is still important to monitor plantings to ensure it remains contained within intended areas and does not establish beyond gardens. With responsible use, it can be safely included as a rare and useful fruiting species in diversified landscapes.

High Risk Traits:

• Produces viable seed
  
• Dispersed intentionally by people (cultivated for fruit)
  
• Bird-dispersed
  
• Seeds survive gut passage
  
• Host for fruit flies, rust fungi, borers, caterpillars
  
• Tolerates wide temperature range (0–42°C) and short drought
  
• Shade-tolerant as juvenile

Low Risk Traits:

• No naturalization reported
  
• No weed history
  
• No spines, thorns, or burrs
  
• Not toxic
  
• Low seed output (large fruits, 1–2 seeds)
  
• Short seed viability (1–4 weeks)
  
• Slow growing, fruits in 5–12 years
  
• No wind dispersal
  
• No vegetative spread