Comarostaphylis discolor

(Hook.) Diggs

Ericaceae Edible: Fruit 332 iNaturalist observations

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Description

A shrub or small tree. It grows 1-10 m tall. The bark peels or flakes off. It is reddish brown. The leaves are narrowly oval and 4-15 cm long by 1-5 cm wide. There are teeth along the edge. The fruit are 6-8 mm across and red when young bur purple to black when ripe.

Edible Uses

The ripe fruits are eaten.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows between 2,000-3,000 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Central America, Guatemala*, Mexico,

Synonyms

Arbutus arguta Zucc. ex Steud.Arbutus coccinea Sesse & Moc.Arbutus discolor Hook. Arctostaphylos arguta Zucc.Arctostaphylos discolor DC.Arctostaphylos nitida Benth.Comarostaphylis arguta Zucc.and others

Also Known As

Flor de mayo, Garambullo, Madrono borracho, Temezquite

References (3)

Cruz, I. M., et al, 2015, Edible fruits and seeds in the State of Mexico. Revista Mexicana de Ciencias Agricolas. Vol. 6. Num. 2 pp 331-346
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 255
Segura, S., et al, 2018, The edible fruit species in Mexico. Genet Resour Crop Evol (2018) 65:1767–1793