Mountain marlierea
Marlierea montana

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A shrub or tree. It can be 8-17 m tall. The branches are a rusty brown. The leaves are opposite. The flowers are in groups in the axils of leaves and near the ends of branches. The fruit is a berry. It is 1 cm long by 1 cm wide. The fruit are red to purple. The pulp of the fruit is edible. There are 1-2 seeds.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows on sandy and rocky islands, often near rapids along creeks and on savanna forest.

Countries/locations it is found in

Brazil, Dominican Republic, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Peru, South America, Suriname, Venezuela, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten. The fruit are also used to make an alcoholic drink. Caution: Alcohol is a cause of cancer.

Edible parts

Fruit, fruit - drink

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Baaka-besji, Kuaku, Kwako, Kwakoe, Packoo jamoon, Quackoo jamoon, Quackoo, Taparau

Synonyms

Calyptranthes obtusa Benth.; Cumetea montana (Aubl.) Raf.; Eugenia montana Aubl.; Marlierea obtusa (Benth.) O.Berg; Marlierea richardiana O.Berg; Marlierea suffruticosa O.Berg; Myrcianthes montana (Aubl.) C.Nelson;