Wild pine, Turtle food
Tilesia baccata

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A scrambling shrub. The leaves are alternate and simple. They are rough. They ae 9-15 cm long by 4-8 cm wide. The flowers are yellow and orange. The fruit are greenish-black. They are in pine like structures. The fruiting sepals are orange and spiny.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows along roads and in secondary forests. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

America, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, South America

How it is used for food

The fruit pulp is sweet and edible. The fruit are collected and used to make an alcoholic drink. Caution: Alcohol is a cause of cancer.

The fruit are especially eaten by children.

Edible parts

Fruit, flower

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Acoci, Chichin waska, Chirapa sacha, Emontaka, Hukuhuku anahoro, Jambu, Kamararai, Mana tanchaape, Manxanilla sacha, Margaridinha, Mishtimu tape, Mura, orosul, Penko shili, Pindek tape, Warife

Synonyms

Aspilia bolivarana V. M. Badillo; Coreopsis baccata L.; Tilesia capitata G. Mey; Wulffia baccata (L.) Kuntze [Illegitimate]; and others