20 BULLETIN 445, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Bigarreau cherry. The seeds are rounded or hemispherical when 

 only one or two are present; sometimes there are three or more, in 

 which case the size is reduced and they become angular. 



The rapidity with which the fruits develop is surprising; within 

 a month from the time of flowering they have reached maturity and 

 are falling to the ground. Tavares ^ states that the trees, even of the 

 same variety, do not all ripen their fruit at the same time, some 

 blooming much later than others and thus extending the season 

 from November to February. Three varieties are distinguished, the 

 difference being in the color of the pulp; in one it is dark red, in 

 another vermilion, and in the third white. All three are said to be of 

 equally good quality. 



The grumixama is much more common in southern Brazil, par- 

 ticularly in the States of Parana and Santa Catharina, than it is at 

 Bahia. Little attention is paid to its culture, but it is said to prefer 

 a deep and fertile soil. Its propagation is entirely by seed, the trees 

 coming into bearing at 4 or 5 years of age. 



The fruit is usually eaten while fresh, but is well adapted to the 

 preparation of various sorts of jams and preserves, in the manufac- 

 ture of which the Brazilians are unusually adept. 



THE PITOMBA. 



Another myrtaceous fruit occasional!}^ seen in the gardens of Bahia 

 is the pitomba {Eugenia luschnathiana Berg) , stated to be indig- 

 enous to this region. It is not common in cultivation. 



Like the nearly related grumixama, the tree is particularly hand- 

 some and v\^orthy of planting for ornamental purposes alone. It at- 

 tains a height of 20 to 30 feet, with compact, dense foliage, the indi- 

 vidual leaves being lanceolate, about 3 inches in. length, glossy and 

 deep green above, lighter green on the under surface. 



The fruits (PL IX), which are borne upon a slender stem about 1 

 inch in length, are broadly obovate in form, an inch in length, with 

 the apex crowned by four or five green sepals half an inch long. The 

 color is bright orange-yellow. Inclosed by the thin, tender skin is the 

 soft, melting, bright orange-colored flesh, very juicy, aromatic, and 

 of an acid flavor. The seeds, normally one in number, but som_e- 

 times two, three, or even four, are rounded or angular and attached 

 to one side of the seed cavity. 



The season in Bahia is November and December. The tree as a 

 rule is not so productive as the grumixama or some other myrtaceous 

 fruits, but nevertheless bears a fair crop of fruit. 



Propagation is readily effected by means of seed, which appears 

 to be the only method used. Volunteer seedlings spring up abundantly 



1 Tavares, J. S. As fruteiras do Brazil. In Broteria, Ser. Vulgar. Sci., v. 10, fasc. 6, 

 p. 420. 1912. 



