Nigua, Salapa chica
Disterigma alaternoides

Family: Ericaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It can grow in the soil or attached to other plants. It grows 4 m tall. The fruit is pink to red and lets light through.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in rainforest and mountain forest. It can grow between 1,600-3,900 m above sea level but is mainly between 2,400-3,400 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andes, Bolivia, Central America, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, South America, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw.

Fruit is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Fiapilla, Nigua, Perlillo, Salapa chica, Tira

Synonyms

Disterigma alaternoides var. parvifolium (Benth.) A.C.Sm.; Disterigma popenoi S.F.Blake; Metagonia alaternoides (Kunth) Nutt.; Vacciniopsis tetramera Rusby; Vaccinium alaternoides Kunth; Vaccinium alaternoides var. parvifolium Benth.;