Marmelada-de-pinto
Cordiera elliptica

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 1-2 m tall. The leaves are leathery and of a uniform colour but dull on the upper surface. The leaves are 5-11 cm long. The male and female flowers are on separate plants. The female flowers are white and occur singly. The male flowers are in clusters in the axils of leaves. The fruit are round, black berries. They are 1-2 cm across. They have a thin skin and sweet pulp. They contain many seeds.

There are about 12 Cordiera species in Brazil and all have edible fruit.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows naturally in scrubland in Brazil. It grows in savannah.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Brazil (country/location of origin), Paraguay, South America

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten fresh.

The fruit are not greatly appreciated.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Marmelado de cacharro, Marmelinho

Synonyms

Alibertia elliptica (Cham.) k. Schum.; Thieleodoxa elliptica Cham.;