Bluewood, Capul negro, Brasil
Condalia hookeri
Family: Rhamnaceae
What it is like
A spiny shrub. It has many branches and forms thickets. The crown is thin and widely spreading. The branches are stiff. It grows 6 m high. The trunk is 15 cm across. The leaves are alternate and 1.5-2.5 cm long by 10-12 mm wide. They are spoon shaped and do not have teeth. The tips are rounded and have a small point. They are hairy when young. They are shiny yellow-green above and paler underneath. The flowers are 3 mm wide. They are cup-shaped. There are 5 pointed green sepals. There are 1-3 flowers at the base of the leaves. The fruit are 5 mm across. They are shiny black. The pulp is purple. They are sweet and edible. They contain one seed.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows in dry soils of plains in Southern USA up to 600 m altitude.
Countries/locations it is found in
Mexico, North America, USA
How it is used for food
The fruit are used for jelly.
Edible parts
Fruit