Elliptic mouriri
Mouriri elliptica
Family: Melastomataceae
What it is like
A shrub or small tree. It grows 1-6 m high. The trunk is 20 cm across and often gnarled and twisted. The bark is rather corky, thick and cracked. The leaves are 4-14 cm long by 2-9 cm wide. They are narrowly oval. The flowering stalks are at the nodes where leaves have fallen off. They have 1-5 flowers each. The flower petals are white or yellow. The fruit are broadly oval and yellowish-green. They are 3-4 cm across. They have a hard outer layer and soft pulp. There are 2-4 seeds.
They have also been put in the family Memecylaceae.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows on the savannahs on sandy soil between 300-800 m altitude.
Countries/locations it is found in
Brazil (country/location of origin), South America
How it is used for food
The fruit is only occasionally eaten. They are not very attractive.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seeds. Seeds become dormant and this has to be broken. They can be soaked in water for 48 hours or longer or the seed coat scratched.
Its other names
Local names
Coroa-de-frade, Coroa, Coroa de frade, Croada, Croadinha, Jabuticaba-do-Cerrado, Puca-coroa-de-frade, Puca-preto, Ousa frade