Byrsonima lucida

(Mill.) Rich.

Guana-berry

Malpighiaceae Edible: Fruit 1,923 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Byrsonima lucida is a species of plant in the Malpighiaceae family. It is endemic to islands in the Caribbean and to the U.S. state of Florida. It is a shrub or small tree, and produces pink flowers. Its natural habitat is hammocks in dry limestone rocklands, and in sandy pine-palm woods. Common names for the plant include clam cherry, gooseberry, locust berry and Long Key locustberry.

Description

An evergreen tree. It grows 10 m high. The leaves are narrow and spoon shaped. They are 5-8 cm long. They are shiny and blue-green. They are clustered towards the tips of the twigs. The flowers are in round groups. They become pink, red or yellow with age. The fruit is fleshy and round. It is brown. It is edible.

Edible Uses

The fruit is edible and can be eaten fresh.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It needs an average, well-drained soils. It can grow in full or part sun. It suits seasonally moist and dry regions. It has some salt tolerance. It suits hardiness zones 9-12.

Where It Grows

Bahamas, Caribbean, Central America, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Hispaniola, Lesser Antilles, Mexico, North America, Puerto Rico, USA, West Indies*,

Notes

There are 127 Byrsonima species. They grow in tropical America.

Synonyms

Byrsonima biflora Griseb.Byrsonima cuneata (Turcz.) P. WilsonByrsonima portoricensis A. Stahl.Malpighia cuneata (Turcz.) P. WilsonMalpighia lucida Mill.Malpighia lucida Sw.

Also Known As

Iguanaberry, Key byrsonima, Locust-berry, Nancito, Nurici

References (7)

Barwick, M., 2004, Tropical and Subtropical Trees. A Worldwide Encyclopedic Guide. Thames and Hudson p 74
Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 155
Little, E. L., et al, 1974, Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. USDA Handbook 449. Forestry Service. p 366
Llamas, K.A., 2003, Tropical Flowering Plants. Timber Press. p 251
Plants of Haiti Smithsonian Institute http://botany.si.edu/antilles/West Indies

Show all 7 references