De ‘Ybaaia a Uvaia, a trajetória histórica de uma de nossas mais importantes espécies arbóreas tropicais

Abstract

Eugenia pyriformis Cambess. (uvaia) represents a heritage of our plant biodiversity. This study has performed a chronology of the evolution of the word uvaia along the brazilian history, as well as its possible migration across Brazil. Uvaia fruits taste sour, characteristic reported in etymological descriptions, and are used as food by different traditional communities. The first historical records of uvaia occurred in the xvii century, through descriptions of indigenous vocabularies, the old Tupi and Guarani, performed by the Jesuits and, thereafter, were recorded in literature works and scientific papers.