EUGE'NIA, a genus of plants of the natural order myrtacea, nearly allied to myrtus (see MYRTLE), and differing only in having a 4-parted instead of a 5-cleft calyx, four instead of five petals, and a 1 to 2-celled berry, with one seed in each cell. The species are trees and shrubs, natives chiefly of tropical and sub-tropical countries. The dried fruit of E. pimento and E. acris forms the spice well known as allspice, Jamaica, pep per, or pimento (q.v.). The seeds of E. tabasco are also used as a condiment. Other species yield some of the finest fruits of tropical regions, remarkable for their delicious balsamic odors. Among these is the MALAY APPLE (E. malaccensis), a native of the Malayan archipelago and of the South Sea islands, a low tree, with ovate-oblong smooth leathery leaves, and fruit in size and shape resembling a small apple, of a beau tiful red color, and with a white juicy pulp. This fruit has an agreeable odor, like that of the rose,whence it is sometimes called ROSE APPLE; a name which, on the same:account is often extended to the fruits of allied species, as E. aquea, and which is very often given to the JAMBOS or JADIROSADE (E. jambos or jambosa pulgaris), an East Indian fruit, now cultivated in all tropical pountries. This fruit is pear-shaped, about the size of a hen's egg, white or red. The tree is about 20 or 30 ft. high, much branched, with
leaves somewhat like those of the peach, and greenish-yellow flowers in terminal bunches. E. cauliflora, a Brazilian species, cultivated in most of the gardens of the diamond and gold districts of the a. of Brazil, yields a very fine fruit of a black color, about the size of a greengage plum, called the JABUTICABA or JABoncAnuRos. Similar fruits are produced by other Brazilian species, particularly E. dysenterica, E. inocarpa, and E. Rraziliensis, The BASTARD Gravn (E. pseudo-psidium) and the CAYENNE CHERRY (E. cotonifolia and E. Michelin) produce fruits which are held in considerable esteem in the West Indies. One species only, the UGNI (E. ugni), a native of Chili, appears to be sufficiently hardy for the climate of Britain; it endures at least that of the s. of Eng land; it has been recently introduced, and much extolled as a fruit shrub. Its flowers are very fragrant, and its fruit pleasant. It is much cultivated in Chili, and a very refreshing beverage, with an agreeable balsamic odor, is made of the expressed juice mixed with water. The fruit is of the size of a black currant, somewhat flattened, and of a brownish-red color.—The bark of many species of E. is very rich in tannin. Some produce good timber.