Pale lidflower
Calyptranthes pallens

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows about 6 m tall. The trunk is about 15 cm across. The bark is grey and smooth but can become scaly. The twigs are slightly flattened and 2-angled and have rusty brown hairs. The leaves are in pairs and are narrowly oval and up to 8 cm long by 3 cm wide. They taper to a point at both ends. The flowers are small and white. They are in clusters near the ends of the twigs. The fruit are round, dark purple berries. They are 1 cm across. They are juicy.

There are about 200 Calyptranthes species. They are trees and shrubs in tropical America.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in moist coastal forests up to 800 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Central America, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Mexico, North America, Puerto Rico, USA, West Indies

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Tapon blanco

Synonyms

Calyptranthes chytraculia var. pauciflora O. Berg; Chytraculia chytraculia var. pauciflora (O. Berg) Sudw.; Chytraculia pallens (Griseb.) Britton; Eugenia pallens Poir.;