Black seed
Miconia racemosa

Family: Melastomataceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 2-3 m high. The stem is 3-5 cm across. The flowers are small and whitish green. They are in groups at the ends of branches. The fruit is a purple berry with blue juice.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in secondary vegetation and swamps.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Central America, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Guiana, Guyana, Leeward Islands, Panama, Puerto Rico, South America, Venezuela, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw.

It is a cultivated food plant. The fruit are especially eaten by children.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Arbica, Azier macaque, Azucarero, Camasey, Miguito, Sakusaku, Sokosoko, Waraia

Synonyms

Melastoma racemosa Aubl.; Melastoma decussata Vahl; Miconia brachypoda DC. Tamonea racemosa (Aubl.) Cook & Collins;