Ciliate maya
Miconia ciliata

Family: Melastomataceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 3 m tall. The flowers are grouped along stalks 5-15 cm long. These are pyramid shaped. The fruit do not have stalks. The fruit are flattened berries. They are 0.4 cm long by 0.35 cm wide. They are green to blue-black. The pulp is purple and juicy. It is edible.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in wet areas on savannas. It also grows on the edges of savanna forest.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti (country/location of origin), Honduras, Jamaica (country/location of origin), Mexico (country/location of origin), Nicaragua, North America, Panama, Peru, South America (country/location of origin), Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, Venezuela, West Indies (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ah-san, Caiuia-branca, Chuk-pa-sas, Kak-he-a-sir, Niguito, Sak-he-asar, Sakwasapere biberoe

Synonyms

Acinodendron ciliatum (Rich.) Kuntze; Hartigia barbigera (DC.) Miq.; Melastoma ciliatum Rich.; Melastoma octandria Mill.; Melastoma octandrum L.; Miconia barbigera DC.; Miconia racemosa var. barbigera (DC.) Cogn.; Miconia racemosa var. ciliata (Rich.) Griseb.; Miconia virgulata Gleason;