Eugenia haematocarpa
Alain
Uvilla, Uvillo
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iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Steve Maldonado Silvestrini, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Summary
Source: WikipediaEugenia haematocarpa is a rare species of flowering plant in the family Myrtaceae. It is endemic to Puerto Rico. It is classified as an endangered species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and there has been a plan for its recovery in place for some years. Its common names include uvillo and Luquillo Mountain stopper. Specimens of this tree were first collected in 1939 in Naguabo. It is known from the Caribbean National Forest and the Sierra de Cayey on the eastern side of the island of Puerto Rico. It has been observed growing amongst Syzygium jambos, Prestoea montana, Tabebuia heterophylla, Ocotea leucoxylon, Inga laurina, and Alchornea latifolia in mountain forest habitat. The main cause of the tree's rarity is habitat destruction. This is an evergreen tree growing up to 6 meters tall with gray or whitish bark that strips away in plates. The leathery oval leaves are up to 18 centimeters long and are borne in pairs. Flowers occur in clusters on the trunk and each has four pink petals just over 2 centimeters long. The fruit is a dark red berry between 2 and 3 centimeters in length.
Description
A small tree. It grows 8 m tall. The trunk is 12 cm across. The leaves are large and in pairs and oblong. They are 10-15 cm long by 5-8 cm wide. They taper to a point at the tip. They are thick and leathery and have small stalks. The flowers are small and 6 mm across. They are in clusters on the trunk. The fruit are round and 2 cm across and dark red. They are edible. They have one round, light brown seed.
Edible Uses
The round, dark red fruit are edible and can be eaten fresh.
Known Hazards
This species is rare.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. It grows between 300 - 500 m above sea level.
Where It Grows
Puerto Rico, West Indies,
Notes
There are about 550 Eugenia species. They are mostly in tropical and subtropical South America. It is rare.
Also Known As
Luquillo mountain stopper
References (3)
- Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 90:190. 1963
- 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 354
- Little, E. L., et al, 1974, Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. USDA Handbook 449. Forestry Service. p 656
