Eugenia natalitia

Eugenia natalitia

Common Names

Forest Myrtle (english)Bosmirt (afrikaans)inchitsamuthi, ijobe (sesotho)umthintane, umbhovane, umanzana (zulu)mukavha-mahunguvhu (venda)

Taxonomy

Family MYRTACEAE
Genus Eugenia
Species natalitia
SA Plant Number 553.2
Basionym Eugenia natalitia

Description

Eugenia natalitia is a fairly hardy, evergreen, small, slender tree that is a member of the Myrtle family. It grows naturally along riverbanks and forested kloofs along the Escarpment from the Eastern Cape to Mpumalanga. It is often multi-stemmed, and the bark is pale brown, sometimes tinged orange or reddish brown. The leaves are thinly leathery and glossy dark green above. During June through to December, white flowers with a mass of stamens appear, followed by the ornamental, edible, red to purple-black fruit that resembles miniature guavas. They attract birds to the garden. It is also a butterfly larval host plant.

Eugenia natalitia grows well in containers and makes an ideal pot plant. It is fairly thirsty, so water regularly. Plant in shade or semi-shade.

Size up to 4m

Wildlife

General Wildlife: Fruit is eaten by birds and people. Bees and other insects are attracted by the pollen rich flowers. It is a butterfly host plant for a number of species of butterflies.

Uses

Container plant: Makes an excellent container and bonsaai plant

Distribution

Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga

Natural Habitat In forest, forested kloofs, on forest margins, on riverbanks and amongst rocks in rocky grassland

+

Admin Notice: