Description

Family: Myrtaceae
Origin: Itacaré region, Bahia, Brazil
Status: rare unidentified/working-name Eugenia
Batch: July Pre-Sale

Eugenia sp. “Carambola do Itacaré” is an extremely rare and still unidentified Brazilian Myrtaceae, offered under the collector/field name used for this material.

This form comes from the Itacaré region of Bahia, one of the most botanically interesting areas of Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. The fruit is visually exceptional: ribbed, folded, and somewhat starfruit-like, with a combination of red-pink, yellowish, and green tones when mature.

The name “carambola” refers to the unusual ribbed shape of the fruit, not to true starfruit. This is not Averrhoa carambola; it is a rare Eugenia sp. in the Myrtaceae family.

Why it is special

• Extremely rare Eugenia from Bahia, Brazil.
• Unusual ribbed / starfruit-like fruit shape.
• Very ornamental red-pink and green fruits.
• Different-looking from other “carambola-type” Eugenias.
• Rare collector material from the Itacaré region.
• Very limited availability in this July batch.
• Excellent for collectors of rare Myrtaceae, Brazilian Eugenias, and unusual fruit forms.

Fruit description

The fruits are small to medium for a wild Eugenia, with a very distinctive folded and ribbed structure. In the reference photo, the mature fruits show a beautiful mix of reddish-pink, salmon, yellow-green, and bright green tones.

The surface is deeply sculpted, with prominent ribs and folds, giving the fruit a starfruit-like or “mini carambola” look. This makes it one of the most visually striking Eugenia forms in the July batch.

The exact taste is still not fully documented, so we are presenting this honestly as a rare collector’s Eugenia rather than making exaggerated claims. However, visually and botanically, it is a very promising material.

Leaves and plant notes

The visible leaf associated with the fruit appears glossy, simple, entire, and elliptic to broadly lanceolate, with a pronounced central vein.

Compared with some other “carambola-type” Eugenias, this one appears to have broader and glossier leaves, which may indicate that this Itacaré form is distinct from other similar material circulating under related names.

Because the identity is not formally confirmed, we are keeping the name as:

Eugenia sp. “Carambola do Itacaré”

This is the safest and most honest label.

Fresh recalcitrant seeds

Like most Eugenia species, these seeds should be considered recalcitrant. They should not be allowed to dry out and should be planted as soon as possible after arrival.

Depending on transit time and freshness, some seeds may already be starting to germinate.

Germination advice

• Sow immediately upon arrival.
• Keep the seeds moist but never waterlogged.
• Use a well-draining substrate, such as peat/coir with perlite.
• Ideal temperature: 24–28°C / 75–82°F.
• Keep in bright shade or filtered light.
• Avoid direct harsh sun while seedlings are young.
• Do not allow the seeds to dry completely.
• Good humidity is helpful, but airflow is also important to avoid fungal problems.

Important July batch shipping note

This item belongs to our July Pre-Sale batch.

We strongly recommend ordering July batch seeds together, so they can be shipped in the same fresh-seed shipment.

If you want to combine this item with seeds from other batches, the safest option is to add only dry/tolerant seeds, or to pay for a second shipment. Fresh Myrtaceae seeds may sprout or lose quality if they are held too long waiting for items from another batch.

If your order contains items from different batches, we may contact you to suggest the safest shipping option.

Note

This is a rare collector’s item offered under a working name. The exact botanical identity is not yet confirmed. Photos and descriptions are based on the source fruits and field information, but seedling variation is always possible.