Wild tree tobacco
Acnistus arborescens

Family: Solanaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.

There are about 50 Acnistus species. They grow in Central and South America. Most Acnistic are now included in this species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In Costa Rica it grows between 600 and 1,500 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Brazil (country/location of origin), Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba (country/location of origin), Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Lesser Antilles (country/location of origin), Mexico (country/location of origin), Nicaragua, North America, Panama, South America, West Indies (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The fruit can be eaten or made into jelly.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Borrachero, Cerca chide, Cojojo, Fruta-de-saba, Guitite, Hojojo, Marianeira, Nacedero, Palo de gallina, Picopico, Sabaluco, Salvaluco, Tomaroquin

Synonyms

Acnistus frutescens Bello; Atropa arborescens L.;