Eugenia uniflora L.

മുളക് നെല്ലി

Family : Myrtaceae

Synonym : Eugenia myrtifolia Salisb.

Common Names : Mullaknelli, Surinam cherry, Barbados cherry, Brazilian Cherry

Flowering Period : March-July

Distribution : Native of tropical America

Habitat : Cultivated

Uses : Fruit - used when fully ripe, it is delicious when eaten raw, and can also be made into jams, jellies, pies, juices, sherbets etc. The aromatic leaves are used as a tea substitute. Leaves are astringent, febrifuge, stomachic and tonic. An infusion is used to remedy head colds, influenza, chest colds, coughs and fevers. Crushed and steeped in boiling water, they are used as a wash to soothe irritated skin. The fruits are used to reduce blood pressure. Compounds in the stems and leaves show possible antimicrobial activity. Plants are tolerant of shearing and can be grown as a hedge. The leaves are used as an insect repellent. The crushed leaves release a pungent oil which is used as an insect repellent. The wood is moderately heavy, hard, compact and very durable.

Key Characters :

Much branched large shrubs.  Leaves opposite. Flowers 1-3, axillary, white. Fruit depressed-globose, prominently ribbed, succulent, crimson, with small, prominent apical calyx segments.