Leandra australis

Family: Melastomataceae

What it is like

A small shrub. It can grow to 3 m tall. The leaf stalks are 1-2 cm long. The leaves are 7-11 cm long by 3-6 cm wide. There are teeth along the edge. The flower panicles are 11-17 cm long by 5-9 cm wide. The fruit are 5-6 mm long by 4-5 mm wide. There are 150-300 seeds. They are dark purple.

Fruit are rich in anthocyanins.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Brazil (country/location of origin), South America

How it is used for food

The fruit are used for jams, juices and ice-creams.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Mixirica, Mixirico, Pixirica, Pixirica-peluda

Synonyms

Clidemia australis Cham.;