Description
Eugenia dysenterica (C) — Cagaita, the iconic yellow Cerrado fruit
Known as Cagaita or Cagaiteira, Eugenia dysenterica DC. is a classic fruit-bearing tree of the Brazilian Cerrado and a genuine member of the Myrtaceae. Its round, yellow fruits ripen during the season of changing rains and are appreciated for their aromatic, juicy pulp with a balanced sweet-acid character.
A traditional fruit with many uses
Cagaita fruits are enjoyed fresh and are also used in juice, preserves, jams, ice cream and regional sweets. The tree is also ornamental, carrying attractive evergreen-to-seasonal foliage, delicate flowers and bright fruit against the open savanna landscape. The photographs show real fruiting material from this collector lot.
Botanical characteristics
- Accepted name: Eugenia dysenterica DC., family Myrtaceae.
- Native habitat: tropical seasonal savannas of Brazil and neighboring South America.
- Fruit: typically yellow at maturity, with aromatic, juicy pulp; the size varies among source populations.
- Growth: shrub-to-tree habit depending on ecological setting; a substantial fruit tree under favorable conditions.
- Value: an authentic fruit crop of the Cerrado, prized by enthusiasts of uncommon edible Myrtaceae.
Fresh recalcitrant seeds — important growing information
Eugenia dysenterica seeds are recalcitrant: scientific studies show that severe dehydration can quickly destroy their viability. They should be sown promptly after delivery and should not be dried as if they were ordinary orthodox seeds. Keep the medium evenly moist but aerated, avoiding standing water or prolonged drying. Germination studies have documented success under warm conditions, broadly around 15–30 °C, but actual times and percentages depend on the lot and treatment.
Because Cagaita is moisture-sensitive, this pre-sale is particularly dependent on quick inspection and appropriate handling after the seeds arrive. Individual seeds may vary in condition. We never guarantee a specific germination percentage.
Seed pre-sale and dispatch
Purchase unit: 1 unit = 1 seed (unless otherwise specified). We supply planting seeds, not edible nuts or ready-grown plants.
November 2026 Pre-Sale: this is a future-arrival seed lot, not stock currently in the USA. We may ship earlier if the lot reaches us ahead of schedule, passes physical and viability inspection, and can join an earlier shipment; however, earlier shipment is not guaranteed. Actual availability depends on receipt and seed condition. If any purchased quantity cannot be fulfilled, we will contact you and arrange a refund or an agreed alternative.
References: Andrade et al., seed viability and recalcitrance; Silva et al. (2017), physiological performance of Cagaita seeds.
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