Pubescent petal myrcia
Myrcia hebepetala

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows 4-8 m high. The crown is long and the branches hang down. The trunk is upright and 20-30 cm across. The bark has shallow cracks. It loses many leaves during the year. The leaves are simple and opposite. They are 5-11 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. The leaf stalks are 3-6 mm long. There are 18 pairs of veins. These are below the upper surface and raised underneath. The flowers are in groups and are white and have a scent. The fruit is a round berry. It is purple or red when ripe. The pulp is fleshy and sweet. They are 2 cm across and there are one or two seeds.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It can grow in dense primary forest and in more open positions. It can grow in full sun or shade. It can tolerate wet or dry soils. It grows in Brazil in coastal forest near the Atlantic.

Countries/locations it is found in

Brazil, South America

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. (They can be rich in tannin.)

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from fresh seeds. The ripe fruit are harvested and the seeds removed. They are planted fresh and germinate in 30-40 days.

Its other names

Local names

Aperta-goela, Batinga, Guamirim-rola, Perta-guela, Rapa-guela

Synonyms

Gomidesia affinis (Cambess.) D. Legrand; Gomidesia affinis var. affinis; Gomidesia candolleana O. Berg.; Gomidesia hebepetala (DC.) O. Berg; Gomidesia hookeriana O Berg.; Gomidesia pohliana O. Berg.; Myrcia affinis Cambess.; Myrcia candolleana (O. Berg.) Kiaersk.; Myrcia cordifolia var. minor DC.; Myrcia hookeriana (O. Berg.) Kiaersk.; Myrcia itajuruensis Cambess.;