Leathery myrsine
Myrsine coriacea

Family: Primulaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 3-10 m tall. The trunk can be 30-40 cm across. The leaves are 6-8 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. There are 6-8 flowers in a group. The fruit is round and 3 mm by 4 mm.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows from 1,500 m to 3,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Caribbean, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, South America, Uruguay, Venezuela, West Indies

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Amatillo, Arrayan, Arrayan bobo, Azeitona-brava, Badula, Botoncillo, Bwa plom, Camaguilla, Canelon, Capororoca, Coucharo, Esparado, Hojita larga, Limachu, Manglillo, Manteco, Mantequero, Niriba, Palo de sabana, Palo santa, Perico macho, Pororoca, Tupial, Yuruma

Synonyms

Caballeria ferruginea Ruiz. & Pav.; Manglilla ferruginea (Ruiz & Pav.) Roem. & Schult.; Myrsine berteroi A.DC.; Myrsine coriacea subsp. nigrescens (Lundell) Ricketson & Pipoly; Myrsine ferruginea (Ruiz & Pav.) Spreng.; Myrsine flocculosa Mart.; Myrsine floribunda Duss p.p.; Myrsine guatemalensis Gand.; Myrsine jelskii Zahlbr.; Myrsine laeta Duss; Myrsine laeta Griseb.; Myrsine microcalyx Lundell; Myrsine myricoides Schltdl.; Myrsine nigrescens Lundell; Myrsine paulensis A.DC.; Myrsine popayanensis Kunth; Myrsine rufa (Lundell) Lundell; Myrsine rufescens A.DC.; Myrsine salicifolia A.DC.; Myrsine saligna (Willd. ex Schult. & Schult.f.) A.DC.; Myrsine tomentosa C.Presl; Myrsine vestita Lundell; Myrsine viridis Rusby; Rapanea ambigua Mez; Rapanea coriacea (Sw.) Mez; Rapanea ferruginea (Ruiz & Pav.) Mez; Rapanea jelskii (Zahlbr.) Mez; Rapanea microcalyx (Lundell) Lundell; Rapanea myricoides (Schltdl.) Lundell; Rapanea nigrescens (Lundell) Lundell; Rapanea paulensis (A.DC.) Mez; Rapanea rufa Lundell; Rapanea vestita (Lundell) Lundell; Samara coriacea Sw.; Samara saligna Willd. ex Schult. & Schult.f.;