Koster's curse, Hairy Clidemia
Clidemia hirta

Family: Melastomataceae

What it is like

A slightly woody herb or shrub. It grows up to 1 m high. The stem is hairy. The flowers are small. The leaves have pleated surfaces. It can produce 5,000 seeds each year. One fruit can have 100 seeds. The fruit are purple. The fruit are edible.

It can be invasive.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in the humid lowlands. It can grow in shady places. In Argentina it grows below 500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Amazon, American Samoa, Argentina, Asia, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Caribbean, Central America (country/location of origin), Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba (country/location of origin), Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, Guatemala, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Jamaica (country/location of origin), Lesser Antilles (country/location of origin), Madagascar, Malaysia, Melanesia, Mexico, Nicaragua, North America, Pacific, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Rotuma, SE Asia, Singapore, South America, Suriname, Venezuela, Virgin Islands, USA, West Indies (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. The seeds are also eaten.

The fruit are especially eaten by children.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Fruit occur in both the dry and the rainy season.

Its other names

Local names

Antumu, Caiuia, Camasey, Camesey peludo, Chinchak, Chinllakim Choroticos, Draunisiga, Folha-do-fogo, Haramunting, Harendong bulu, Karamunting, Kelymazana, Mazambody, Meleca-de-cachorro, Mora, Mucura, Mullaca, Mullaca morada, Nigua, Obogimo, Pixirica, Pixirica-de-cachorro, Senduduk bulu, Senduduk paksa, Sombatra, Vao fulu

Synonyms

Clidemia crenata DC.; Melastoma hirtum L.;