Spiny chomelia
Chomelia spinosa

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 1-6 m tall. It has straight spines. Leaves are opposite. They are 4-9 cm long by 2-5 cm wide. They are egg shaped with a pointed tip. The flowers are cream to white. They have a scent. The fruit are green and black when ripe. They are 6-9 mm long by 3-6 mm wide. There are 2 seeds.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows as an understorey plant is seasonally dry forests. It grows from sea level to 400 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Bolivia, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, South America, Venezuela

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

In Central America plants fruit May to December.

Its other names

Local names

Chocolatico, Limoncillo, Malacaguite, Malcahuite

Synonyms

Many