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Guettarda scabra

IL.) Vent

Rough velvetseed

iNaturalist· cc-by

(c) Homer Edward Price, some rights reserved (CC BY)

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

(c) Riley Fortier, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

(c) Riley Fortier, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

Guettarda scabra, commonly known as the rough velvetseed, is a species of plant in the family Rubiaceae native to the Neotropics.

Description

A shrub or small tree. It can grow 3-10 m tall. The crown is open and spreading. The trunk is 10 cm across. The leaves are opposite. They are narrowly oval and 15 cm long. They are rough. The fruit are red and velvety.

Edible Uses

The red, velvety fruit are edible.

Known Hazards

This is an at-risk plant.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant.

Where It Grows

Bahamas, Bolivia, Caribbean, Central America, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Hispaniola, Jamaica, North America, Puerto Rico, South America, St Lucia, Trinidad, USA, Venezuela, Virgin islands, West Indies,

Cultivation

It can be used as a hedge or living fence. It can be grown from cuttings.

Other Uses

The light brown wood is hard. It is used for stakes. The wood is used for fuel. The plant roots easily from cuttings and is used to make living fences.

Notes

It is an at risk plant.

Synonyms

Guettarda ambigua DC.Guettarda rugosa Sw.Matthiola scabra L.

Also Known As

Carapacho, Wild guave

References (4)

  • Grandtner, M. M. & Chevrette, J., 2013, Dictionary of Trees, Volume 2: South America: Nomenclature, Taxonomy and Ecology. Academic Press p 283
  • 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 401
  • Roa, J. A. G. & Boada, D. S. G., 2018, Fundación para el Fortalecimiento de la Fruticultura y Plantas Alimenticias no Convencionales en Colombia.
  • Useful tropical plants tropical.the ferns.info

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