Latin name - Eugenia calycina

The Savannah Cherry Tree or Field Cherry Tree is an uncommon member of the Eugenia family (think tropical cherries like Surinam cherry, Barbados cherry). Pinkish-white flowers set in spring, giving way to dark red or purple teardrop-shaped fruits in late fall and winter. Savannah Cherries are sweet and resinous, with traditional cherry flavor.

Like its more familiar family members, these trees are easily kept as hedges or shrubs, or can be allowed to stretch to tree height. For greatest fruiting potential, go ahead and hedge it!

Savannah Cherry goes by many names including Cerrado cherry, field cherry, Jabuti cherry, red pitanga, cerejinha, and cajaboti. Its Latin name “calycinus” translates to “having a notable calyx” while Cerrado Cherry refers to the apparent “closed” teardrop shape of the fruit compared to a traditional spherical cherry.

Native to Brazilian highlands, Savannah Cherry trees are drought tolerant and generally low-maintenance. They’re self-fertile, so forget about hand-pollination tedium.

Seedling Savannah Cherry trees take about 3-4 years to fruit. Our plants here at Incredible Edible Landscapes are all grown from seed, a common method of propagation for Eugenia fruit trees.

Fruits can be eaten raw or made into jelly or sweets. Brazilian locals use the fruits to treat diabetes.

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Size - 15’ Tall x 10’ Wide; can be hedged

Sunlight requirements - Prefers full sun or part shade

Cold hardy temp - Hardy to 25 F, Zones 9B+

Harvest Season - November through January