Cavendishia melastomoides

Family: Ericaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It often grows attached to other plants. It can grow 3 m tall. The branches often hang down. The stem at the base can be 1-7 cm across. It usually has some reddish colouring. The twigs are angled and have lines along them. The leaves are narrowly oval to sword shaped and 3-9 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. They are rounded to wedge shaped at the base and taper to the tip. The flowering shoots usually have 6-10 flowers. The fruit is a berry 11-14 mm across. There are some varieties.

var. not in The Plant List but in NYBG flora. It is a rare and at risk species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows between 950-2,800 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Central America, Costa Rica, Panama

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Chupalon melastomoides (Klotzsch) Kuntze; Socratesia melastomoides Klotzsch;