Anacua, Sugarberry, Knockaway
Ahretia anacua
Family: Boraginaceae
What it is like
A shrub or small tree. It can have one or more trunks. The trunks are 30 cm across. The crown is rounded and evergreen but loses leaves in colder climates. It grows 12 m tall. The leaves are 3-8 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. They are narrowly oval and dull green. They have an abrupt sharp point at the tip. The base is rounded. The leaves are thick and stiff and can have teeth above the middle. The leaves are very rough above and paler and hairy underneath. The flowers are bell shaped and 8 mm wide. They are white and have a scent. They occur in clusters of many flowers at the ends of twigs. These clusters are 5-7.5 cm wide. The fruit are 8 mm across and round. They are yellow-orange and have a thin juicy, edible pulp. There are 2 stones each with 2 seeds.
Where it is found
It forms thickets on dry hillsides. It can be a forest tree in moist soils in river valleys. In Texas it grows to 300 m altitude.
Countries/locations it is found in
Mexico, North America, USA
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Fruit