Vaccinium emirnense

Hooker

Ericaceae Edible: Fruit 82 iNaturalist observations

Has a deadly poisonous lookalike — see comparison below

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Description

A tropical shrub in the Ericaceae family with edible fruit.

This description is brief — help expand it

Edible Uses

The fruit are eaten.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant.

Where It Grows

Africa, East Africa, Madagascar,

Dangerous Lookalikes

This plant can be confused with the following toxic species. Always verify identification carefully before consuming any wild plant.

DEADLY

Deadly Nightshade

Atropa belladonna

Joan Simon from Barcelona, España

Safe

Vaccinium emirnense

Deadly Nightshade: Tall herbaceous plant (1-2m), single shiny black cherry-sized berries, star-shaped calyx, large oval leaves, sweet but dangerous taste.

Vaccinium emirnense: Low woody shrub, berries in clusters with crown/remnant calyx ring, sweet taste.

Also Known As

Voaramontsina

References (3)

Jardin, C., 1970, List of Foods Used In Africa, FAO Nutrition Information Document Series No 2.p 167
Schatz, G.E., 2001, Generic Tree Flora of Madagascar. Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew and Missouri Botanical Garden. p 134
Styger, E., et al, 1999, Indigenous fruit trees of Madagascar: potential components of agroforestry systems to improve human nutrition and restore biological diversity. Agroforestry Systems 46: 289-310