Vaccinium madagascariense

(Thouars ex Poir.) Sleumer

Ericaceae Edible: Fruit? 80 iNaturalist observations

Has a deadly poisonous lookalike — see comparison below

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Description

A small shrub. The leaves are alternate and broadly oval. They are wedge shaped at the base. They have small teeth. The flowering shoots are in groups in the axils of branches. The fruit are red berries.

Edible Uses

The red berries are edible.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows between 800 to 2,500 m above sea level in Madagascar.

Where It Grows

Africa, East Africa, Madagascar, Mozambique,

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 madagascariense

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

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