Guana-berry
Byrsonima lucida

Family: Malpighiaceae

What it is like

An evergreen tree. It grows 10 m high. The leaves are narrow and spoon shaped. They are 5-8 cm long. They are shiny and blue-green. They are clustered towards the tips of the twigs. The flowers are in round groups. They become pink, red or yellow with age. The fruit is fleshy and round. It is brown. It is edible.

There are 127 Byrsonima species. They grow in tropical America.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It needs an average, well-drained soils. It can grow in full or part sun. It suits seasonally moist and dry regions. It has some salt tolerance. It suits hardiness zones 9-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Bahamas, Caribbean, Central America, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Hispaniola, Lesser Antilles, Mexico, North America, Puerto Rico, USA, West Indies (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Iguanaberry, Key byrsonima, Locust-berry, Nancito, Nurici

Synonyms

Byrsonima biflora Griseb.; Byrsonima cuneata (Turcz.) P. Wilson; Byrsonima portoricensis A. Stahl.; Malpighia cuneata (Turcz.) P. Wilson; Malpighia lucida Mill.; Malpighia lucida Sw.;