Margaritaria nobilis

Family: Phyllanthaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It keeps growing from year to year. It can grow 14 m tall. The leaves have short stalks and the leaves are 6-13 cm long by 3-5 cm wide. The flowers are greenish-white. Male flowers are in groups and female flowers occur singly. The fruit is a capsule 13 mm long. It is somewhat fleshy and has 4 seeds. The fruit are bluish when ripe.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, South America (country/location of origin), West Indies

How it is used for food

The immature green fruit are eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Antachibuca, Barudo, Kutu kaspi, Loronaue, Nowetikano, Onwamowe, Pepito de puerco, Sara muyu, Ttontton ardepacho, Ucariviro, Yaku paparu, Yantsa

Synonyms

Phyllanthus nobilis (L.f.) Mull.Arg.; Many others