Uvo
Macleania rupestris

Family: Ericaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It can grow in the soil or attached to other plants. It can grow to 2 m tall. It can have climbing branches 6 m long. It can have a woody tuber at the base up to 1 m across. The fruit are round and 1 cm across.

It is cultivated as a fruit tree.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in lower dry mountain forest. It grows between 2,000-4,267 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andes, Bolivia, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, South America, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw or cooked.

The fruit are appreciated by local people. They are sometimes cultivated and fruit are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Fruit, flowers

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Arrayan, Caragüito, Chaki lulun, Chupa lulun, Hualicon Ilucho, Joyapa, Kulka macho, Salvia, Taruga, Uva camarona, Yurak joyapa

Synonyms

Cavendishia nitida (Kunth) A. C. Sm.; Macleania ecuadorensis Hoerold; Thibaudia nitida Kunth; Thibaudia rupestris Kunth; and many others