Fleshy leaf mouriri
Mouriri crassifolia

Family: Melastomataceae

What it is like

A tree. It can grow up to 20 m altitude. The trunk is 20 cm across. The leaves are leathery and dark green and shiny above and more pale underneath. The leaves are 7-19 cm long by 3-6 cm wide. They are narrowly oval. The flowering stalks are in the axils of leaves. There are 1-5 flowers on each. The flower petals are red above and yellow underneath. The fruit are a flattened round shape and yellow to red. They are about 2 cm high and wide. There are 2-6 seeds.

They have also been put in the family Memecylaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in the primary forest above flood level. It is usually below 100 m altitude. It grows on sandy soils and clays.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, South America, Suriname, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Amara'u, Amerai, Bois-fleche, Camutim, Chipayeopo, Kammotolie, Komotoli, Komotori, Mirabua, Pau ripa, Spijkerhout, Spykerhout, Topichipayeopo, Tpoi, Yocoro

Synonyms

Mouriri anomala Pulle;