Surinam Cherry

Eugenia uniflora

FLEPPC Category I Invasive
UF/IFAS: Not Recommended
Fruit Shrub/Hedge

Safety

Special populations

Sensitive persons: pruning emanation irritates respiratory passages (Morton).

Human edibility

Only some parts are edible

Edible parts

ripe fruit flesh (out-of-hand, or in jam, jelly, pie, sauce, relish, pickles)

Hazardous parts

seeds (one source only -- Morton 1987, hosted by Purdue; this is a lower-tier source and has not been confirmed by UF/IFAS)

Preparation

Remove the seed(s); Morton: best slit, seed(s) released, and chilled 2 or 3 hours (for flavor, not safety).

Hazard type

'extremely resinous' seeds (no toxin named), respiratory irritation from the 'strong, spicy emanation' when bushes are pruned (sensitive persons)

Hazard route

ingestion

How complete this information is

partial

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

The dog-diarrhea note is a single anecdotal report in a historical reference, not a veterinary toxicity finding -- do not present as an established pet-toxicity verdict.

Not yet directly checked against ASPCA's toxic-or-non-toxic-plants database under every synonym. No verdict is given because this plant has not been researched yet. That is not a confirmed absence, so do not treat it as cleared for pets. see the hazard information below for the separate food-safety picture.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Quick facts

Hardiness zones: USDA zones 9B through 11 (UF/IFAS FP202). Cold: young plants damaged below 28°F; established plants show only superficial injury at 22°F (Purdue/Morton).
Water needs: moderate
Mature size: 8-20 ft tall, 6-15 ft wide, oval crown; spacing 36-60 in (UF/IFAS FP202).

Full field manual in the app

Step-by-step care

The numbered steps for caring for this plant, where we have them.

Why each step works

The reasons behind the steps, where we have them.

Problems and fixes

What can go wrong with this plant and what to do about it, where we have them.

Soil, feeding and pruning

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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Sources

How we choose sources