David's rot, Skunk-root, Snowberry
Chiococca alba

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A woody vine or scrambling shrub. It can be 6 m tall. The leaves are opposite and simple. They are 5-11 cm long and oval. The flowers are yellow and bell shaped. They are in groups of 6 to 8. The fruit is white and fleshy. It is 4-7 mm across. There are usually 2 dark brown seeds.

Where it is found

It grows in the tropics and subtropics.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Belize, Bermuda, Brazil (country/location of origin), Caribbean, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Hispaniola, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, North America, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, South America, Uruguay, USA, West Indies

How it is used for food

The roots are pounded and made into a tea. Caution: It can probably produce abortions.

Edible parts

Fruit, roots - tea, caution

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. Seedlings grow slowly. Aerial layering and rooted cuttings can be used.

Its other names

Local names

Acetillo, Arito, Cainana, Cainca, Caninana, Davids milkberry, Frutinha de uru, Perlilla

Synonyms

Chiococca alba subsp. parvifolia (Wullschl. ex Griseb.) Steyerm.; Chiococca alba var. micrantha (J.R.Johnst.) Steyerm.; Chiococca alba var. parvifolia (Wullschl. ex Griseb.) Urb.; Chiococca alba f. pilosa Steyerm.; Chiococca anguifuga Mart.; Chiococca anguifuga var. trinitensis DC. ex Griseb.; Chiococca bermudiana S.Br.; Chiococca brachiata Ruiz & Pav.; Chiococca brachiata var. acuminata Müll.Arg.; Chiococca brachiata var. acutifolia Müll.Arg.; Chiococca brachiata var. biformis Müll.Arg.; Chiococca brachiata var. conjungens Müll.Arg.; Chiococca brachiata var. densifolia (Mart.) Müll.Arg. Chiococca brachiata var. densifolia Müll.Arg.; Chiococca brachiata var. diplomorpha Müll.Arg.; Chiococca brachiata var. genuina Müll.Arg.; Chiococca brachiata var. grandifolia Müll.Arg.; Chiococca brachiata var. intercedens Müll.Arg.; Chiococca brachiata var. intermedia Müll.Arg.; Chiococca brachiata var. lanceolata Müll.Arg.; Chiococca brachiata var. microphylla Müll.Arg.; Chiococca brachiata var. petiolaris Müll.Arg.; Chiococca brachiata var. rigidula Müll.Arg.; Chiococca brachiata var. subrhombea Müll.Arg.; Chiococca brachiata var. valida Müll.Arg.; Chiococca coriacea M.Martens & Galeotti; Chiococca densifolia Mart.; Chiococca densifolia var. cubensis DC.; Chiococca filipes Lundell; Chiococca floridana (DC.) Raf.; Chiococca latifolia Raf.; Chiococca macrocarpa M.Martens & Galeotti; Chiococca micrantha J.R.Johnst.; Chiococca paniculata Hoffm. ex Schult.; Chiococca parviflora R.O.Williams & Cheesman; Chiococca parvifolia Wullschl. ex Griseb.; Chiococca pinetorum Britton ex Millsp.; Chiococca racemosa L.; Chiococca racemosa var. cubensis (DC.) Müll.Arg.; Chiococca racemosa var. floridana DC.; Chiococca racemosa var. jacquiniana Griseb.; Chiococca racemosa var. laxiflora DC.; Chiococca racemosa var. longifolia DC.; Chiococca racemosa var. scandens Pers.; Chiococca racemosa var. yucatana Loes.; Chiococca trisperma Hook.f.; Chiococca trisperma var. angustifolia Andersson; Chiococca vestita Lundell; Chiococca vestita var. glaberrima Lundell; Lonicera alba L.;