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|usda_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|usda_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
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|max_zone=10
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|image=Ugni molinae.jpg
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|image_caption=Foliage and fruit
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'''''Ugni molinae''''' ([[synonymy|syn.]] ''Myrtus ugni, Eugenia ugni'') is a [[shrub]] native to [[Chile]] and adjacent regions of southern [[Argentina]]. The [[Mapuche]] [[Indigenous people of the Americas|Native American]] name is ''"Uñi"'', and [[Spanish language|Spanish]] names include ''"Murta"'' and ''"Murtilla"'' ("little myrtle"); and the ''"Ugni"'' is also sometimes known as ''"Chilean guava"'' (it is related to the [[Guava]], though not closely so; and really is more like a small [[cranberry]]).
The Ugni is a [[shrub]] from 30 cm to 170 cm tall with [[evergreen]] foliage. In some exceptional cases the shrub can grow up to 3 m in height. The [[leaf|leaves]] are opposite, oval, 1-2 cm long and 1-1.5 cm broad, entire, glossy dark green, with a spicy scent if crushed. The [[flower]]s are drooping, 1 cm diameter with four or five white or pale pink petals and numerous short stamens; the [[fruit]] is a small red, white or purple [[berry]] 1 cm diameter. In its natural habitat; the [[Valdivian temperate rain forests]] the fruit matures in autumn from March to May.
It was first described by [[Juan Ignacio Molina]] (hence its name) in 1782. It is grown as an [[ornamental plant]].
The fruit (''"Ugniberry"'') is cultivated to a small extent. The usage of the fruit in cuisine is limited to [[Zona Sur, Chile|southern Chile]] where it grows. The Ugniberry is known as "New Zealand cranberry" in [[New Zealand]]<ref>[http://www.cropsforsouthland.co.nz/sections/crops2004/cropdatasheets/berry/906]</ref> and marketed as the "Tazziberry" in [[Australia]]<ref>[http://tazziberry.com/]</ref>, but it is not a [[native plant]] to these countries.
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