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Small, round, shiny red to dark purple fruit having a juicy acidic sweet pulp. The camu-camu is extremely high in vitamin C, having over 100 times the amount of vitamin C per weight than an orange.

Description: Small shrub to 10+ft, occasionally higher.

Hardiness: It survives best in hot, damp tropical climates but will grow in the subtropics, surviving temperatures to 32F. It is not as hardy as its close relative the Jaboticaba.

Growing Environment: Provide intense water. The camu-camu will stand flooding.

Propagation: By seeds.

Uses: Occasionally eaten fresh, although the pulp is very acidic. It is usually used to flavor drinks, ice creams, sweets, and more. It is often used medicinally for its high vitamin C content and a variety of other reputed benefits.

Native Range: Native to most of the Amazon river region. Grows wild on banks of streams and lakes or in swamps, where the lower part of the plant is often submerged.