Eugenia uniflora, commonly known as Surinam cherry or pitanga, is a tropical fruit-bearing shrub or small tree in the Myrtaceae family. The genus name Eugenia honors Prince Eugene of Savoy (1663–1736), a notable Austrian general and patron of botany. The species epithet uniflora means “single-flowered” in Latin, referring to the typical solitary flowers borne on its branches. It is native to tropical South America, particularly Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay, and has spread widely throughout the Caribbean, Central America, and other tropical regions. The species was introduced to Africa and Asia during the colonial period and is now cultivated as both a fruit crop and ornamental hedge plant. Historically, the fruit has been consumed fresh by Indigenous peoples of South America, where it also held medicinal significance as a digestive aid and febrifuge. In modern contexts, the fruit is eaten raw, used for jams, jellies, liqueurs, wines, and juices, and cultivated as a garden plant for its aromatic foliage and colorful, ribbed berries that range from bright orange to deep red and even purple when ripe. The leaves are also employed in folk medicine as a tea for stomach ailments, fevers, and hypertension.