Cavendishia melastomoides

(Klotzsch) Hemsl.

Ericaceae Edible: Fruit Potential hazards — see below 28 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by

Description

A shrub. It often grows attached to other plants. It can grow 3 m tall. The branches often hang down. The stem at the base can be 1-7 cm across. It usually has some reddish colouring. The twigs are angled and have lines along them. The leaves are narrowly oval to sword shaped and 3-9 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. They are rounded to wedge shaped at the base and taper to the tip. The flowering shoots usually have 6-10 flowers. The fruit is a berry 11-14 mm across. There are some varieties.

Edible Uses

The fruit is edible.

Known Hazards

This is a rare and at-risk species.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows between 950-2,800 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Central America, Costa Rica, Panama,

Notes

var. not in The Plant List but in NYBG flora. It is a rare and at risk species.

Synonyms

Chupalon melastomoides (Klotzsch) KuntzeSocratesia melastomoides Klotzsch

References (1)

Reis, S. V. and Lipp, F. L., 1982, New Plant Sources for Drugs and Foods from the New York Botanical Garden herbarium. Harvard. p 225 (As Cavendishia melastomoides var. albiflora)