Panama berry
Muntingia calabura

Family: Muntingiaceae

What it is like

A small tree up to 5-12 m high. The trunk is 15-20 cm across. Branches are wide spreading and almost horizontal. The young shoots are covered with hairs. The leaves are alternate and elliptical. They are 4-5 cm long and 3-4 cm wide. The leaves are unequal at the base. The leaves have teeth along the edge. The leaf is dark green on top and dull below. The flowers are small and white or cream. They occur as one or two in the axils of leaves. The fruit stalk is 1.5 cm long. The fruit are small red berries 1-2 cm across. They have many tiny seeds. The fruit are edible.

There is only one Muntingia species. It has also been put in the family Elaeocarpaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is native to the West Indies and South America. They suit sandy coral soils of low islands. They grow from sea level up to about 1000 m altitude in the tropics. They need a warm, sunny, sheltered position. In Argentina it grows up to 1,000 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In XTBG Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Andamans, Andes, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, Central America, China, Colombia (country/location of origin), Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, French Polynesia, Galapagos, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Jamaica, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Marquesas, Mexico (country/location of origin), Myanmar, Nauru, Nicaragua, North America, Pacific, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, South America (country/location of origin), Sri Lanka, Suriname, Tahiti, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Trinidad and Tobago, USA, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Wallis and Futuna, West Indies

How it is used for food

The berries are eaten raw. They can be used for jam. They can be used for pies and tarts or added to cereals. The leaves can be used for tea.

It is one of the most common roadside trees in SE Asia. The fruit are eaten especially by children. Trees have been planted as small ornamentals in some coastal areas of Papua New Guinea.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Trees can be grown from seed. They can also be grown from cuttings of half ripe wood. Seed germinate more readily if they have passed through bats. This means the plant often spreads naturally. Seedlings do not tolerate shade.

Trees grow fairly quickly. Fruit is produced in the second year. Trees flower and produce fruit all year round. Fruit ripen in 6-8 weeks.

Its other names

Local names

Acuruco, Aratiles, Bisilana, Bois de soie, Bois d'orme, Bois ramier, Bolina, Buah cheri, Cacanigua, Calabur, Calabura, Capulf, Capulin, Capulina, Capulin blanco, Capulin de comer, Carecillo, Cay trung ca, Cedrillo, Cedrillo majagua, Cereja-do-parana, Cereza, Cerezo caspi, Ceri, Cerri, Chapuli, Chichato, Chirriador, Chitato, Datiles, Guacimo hembra, Guasem, Guinda yunanasa, Huztlan, Hnget-thagya, Iumanasa, Jamaica cherry, Jam gas, Jam maram, Japanese strawberry tree, Jeymu, Kakhop, Kersen, Kerukup siam, Khoom somz, Krakob barang, Kresen, Latires, Mahaujo, Mai khom, Majagua, Majaguillo, Majaguito, Mat sam, Memiso, Memizo, Mullacahuayo, Nigua, Niguito, Niguo, Pasito, Pau de seda, Puan, Puyam, Puyan, Ratiles, Sachacapuli, Sarisa, Seresa, Shaina, Suji phal, Surrumbo, Takhon, Takhop farang, Takop farang, Tapabotija, Talok, Trung ca, Uvilla, Yumanasa, Yumanaza

Synonyms

Muntingia rosea H. Karst.;