Cascarroya, Chicharron, Sloe
Reynosia uncinata
Family: Rhamnaceae
What it is like
A shrub or small tree. It can grow 10 m tall. The trunk is 15 cm across. The bark is dark grey and smooth with shallow yellow cracks or large scales. The twigs have short hairs when young. The leaves are opposite and usually crowded on the short twigs. They are narrow and taper to a point with a sharp hooked spine near the end. The leaf blade is 2.5 cm long by 1.5 cm wide. They are rounded at the base and slightly curved down at the edges. The flowers are on short stalks and have a cup-like base and 5 pointed sepals and 5 smaller narrow petals. The fruit is fleshy and has a thin dark red juicy flesh. It has a large stone inside.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in dry coastal and limestone forests in Puerto Rico. It grows from sea level to 130 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Hispaniola, Lesser Antilles (country/location of origin), Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, West Indies (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Cascarola