Muntingia calabura

Linnaeus

Sp. Pl. 1: 509. 1753.

Common names: Calabura Jamaica cherry
IllustratedIntroduced
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 6. Treatment on page 186.

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

V6 336-distribution-map.jpg

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.
... more about "Muntingia calabura"
John L. Strother +
Linnaeus +
Calabura +  and Jamaica cherry +
Fla. +, Mexico +, West Indies +, Central America +, South America +  and also introduced in Old World Tropics. +
0–10+ m +
Disturbed, nonsalty sites +
Flowering ± year-round. +
Illustrated +  and Introduced +
Muntingia calabura +
Muntingia +
species +