Crimson berry
Antirhea tenuiflora

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A bushy shrub. It grows to 6 m tall. The young shoots have silky hairs. The leaves are simple, oval and 4-17 cm long by 8 cm wide. They are thin in texture and hairy underneath. The flowers are white and have a scent. They are 0.6 cm across and the base is like a slender tube. The are produced in clusters at the ends of branches. The fruit is 4 angled and red or purple. It is about 1 cm long. The fruit are edible. There is one seed which is 5-12 mm long and lobed.

There are 40 Guettardella species. They are mostly in the tropics.

Where it is found

A tropical and subtropical plant. It needs a well drained moist soils and a shady position.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), Pacific, Papua New Guinea

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from fresh seed.

Plants flower in September to October and fruit are ripe in January to March (August to April).

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Antirhea tenuiflora F. Muell.; Guettarda tenuiflora (F. Muell. ex Benth.) F. Muell.; Guettardella tenuiflora (F. Muell ex Benth.) M. E. Jansen; Matthiola tenuiflora (F. Muell. ex Benth.) Kuntze;