Family: Myrtaceae
Myrciaria glomerata, commonly known as cabeluda or yellow jaboticaba, is an evergreen shrub or small tree belonging to the Myrtaceae family. Native to northern and eastern Brazil, it thrives in tropical climates and can grow up to 8 meters tall, often with multiple thin trunks. The plant produces edible, vitamin C-rich fruits approximately 20 mm in diameter, which are consumed raw and valued for their slightly yellow pulp. While it is shade-tolerant and can fruit within 2–3 years from seed, its seeds have low germination rates and short viability, requiring prompt sowing.
Despite its ecological adaptability, M. glomerata poses minimal invasive risks. It lacks naturalization reports or negative impacts, and its large fruit and seeds are unlikely to disperse accidentally. The plant is non-toxic, unarmed, and valued for ornamental and hedge use, though it may be susceptible to Austropuccinia psidii rust. Its primary dispersal vectors are birds, mammals, and humans, but it does not spread vegetatively or persist long in soil seedbanks. Cultivation is recommended for its edible fruit and landscaping appeal, with cold tolerance down to -3°C.
High Risk Traits:
- Thrives in tropical climates
- Shade-tolerant
- Reproductive in two or more years
- Seeds dispersed by people, birds and other frugivorous mammals
- May be susceptible to Puccinia psidii rust
Low Risk Traits:
- No reports of naturalization or negative impacts have been documented
- Unarmed (no spines or thorns)
- Non-toxic
- Edible fruit
- Landscaping and ornamental value
- Not known to spread vegetatively
- Relatively large fruit and seeds unlikely to be accidentally dispersed
- Seeds will not persist in the soil
