Miconia serrulata

Family: Melastomataceae

What it is like

A shrub. It can grow 15 m tall. The fruit are dark blue and pear shaped. They are 1.2 cm long by 1 cm wide. They have a soft skin and a purple pulp. There are many small seeds.

It can spread as a problem weed.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in both uplands and flood plains. It grows in light gaps in the forest. It grows up to 1,800 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Caribbean, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, South America, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, Venezuela, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit including seeds are eaten.

The fruit are eaten especially by children.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Plants can fruit when 1-2 m tall.

Its other names

Local names

Camasey, Chanchak, Jau-jau, Matapasto, Mortino, Rifari

Synonyms

Chitonia macrophylla Pav. ex D. Don; Decaraphe hostmannii Steud.; Diplochita leucocephala DC.; Diplochita serrulata DC. Miconia leucocephala (DC.) Naudin; Miconia macrophylla (Pav. ex D. Don) Triana; and others