Vaccinium megalophyes

Sleumer

Ericaceae Edible: Fruit ?

Has a deadly poisonous lookalike — see comparison below

gbif· cc0

President and Fellows of Harvard College

gbif· cc0

President and Fellows of Harvard College

gbif· cc0

President and Fellows of Harvard College

Description

A small tropical shrub in the Ericaceae family recorded at 1,800 m elevation in Papua, Indonesia.

This description is brief — help expand it

Edible Uses

The fruit are edible, though this is uncertain based on available data.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It has been collected at 1,800 m above sea level in Papua in Indonesia.

Where It Grows

Asia, Indonesia, Papua, SE Asia,

Notes

The name is ambiguous.

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 megalophyes

President and Fellows of Harvard College

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

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

References (2)

Van Steenis, C.G.G.J. (ed.) (1960-1972). Flora Malesiana 6: 1-1023. Noordhoff-Kolff N.V., Djakarta.
World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew