Maesa edulis
Family: Primulaceae
What it is like
A small spreading tree or large shrub up to 8 m high with dark green leaves. The leaves are papery and long. Flowers occur with 2-4 together in a cluster. The flowers are bell shaped with an orange centre. The fruit is cream coloured and transparent with black seeds visible from the outside. It has a sweetish pulp.
There are about 200 Maesa species. They are mostly tropical. Collected by Brass on San Cristobel, Makira. Specimen in Harvard herbarium. Possibly now Maesa haplobotrys. They are also put in the family Maesaceae. They are also put in the family Myrsinaceae.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in coastal areas in lowland rainforest on both the mainland and islands.
Countries/locations it is found in
Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands
How it is used for food
The fruit is edible.
In Papua New Guinea, a minor wild edible fruit with a pleasant taste.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Trees are fruiting at least February to August.