Muntingia calabura
Sp. Pl. 1: 509. 1753.
Common names: Calabura Jamaica cherry
IllustratedIntroduced
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 6. Treatment on page 186.
Revision as of 23:39, 27 May 2020 by imported>Volume Importer
Leaves: petiole 2–5 mm; blade 60–150 × 20–50 mm. Pedicels 5–20(–35) mm. Flowers: 8–12+ mm; petals 12–20 mm. Berries 10–15 mm diam. Seeds 0.4–0.5 × 0.2–0.3 mm. 2n = 28 (Costa Rica), 30 (India).
Phenology: Flowering ± year-round.
Habitat: Disturbed, nonsalty sites
Elevation: 0–10+ m
Distribution
Introduced; Fla., Mexico, West Indies, Central America, South America, also introduced in Old World Tropics.
Discussion
Muntingia calabura has been reported as a spontaneous weed in commercial greenhouses in California. It was evidently brought into California with coco fiber used in hydroponics installations (F. Hrusa et al. 2002). Fruits of M. calabura are reputed to be prized by bats, birds, children, and fish.
Selected References
None.
Lower Taxa
None.