Camaca, Laurellito
Ardisia compressa

Family: Primulaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. The leaves taper to the tip. The flowers are white and 5 mm long. The fruit are round and red or black and 5 mm across.

There are about 250-300 Ardisia species. They are mainly in the tropics. Also put in the family Myrsinaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Belize, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, North America, Panama, South America, Venezuela, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten fresh.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Capulincillo, Capulin de mayo, Capulin de tejon, Capulin silvestre, Cerecillo, Cerezo, Chagalapoli, Chico correoso, Tucuico, Uvita

Synonyms

Ardisia belizensis Lundell; Ardisia capollina DC.; Ardisia decipiens Griseb.; Icacorea compressa (Kunth.) Standl.; Icacorea depressa Standl.; and several others