Muntingia calabura |
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calabura, Jamaica cherry, strawberry tree |
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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). |
Muntingia calabura |
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Phenology | Flowering ± year-round. |
Habitat | Disturbed, nonsalty sites |
Elevation | 0–10+ m [0–30+ ft] |
Distribution |
FL; Mexico; Central America; South America; West Indies [Introduced in North America; also introduced in Old World Tropics]
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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. (Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.) |
Source | FNA vol. 6, p. 186. |
Parent taxa | |
Name authority | Linnaeus: Sp. Pl. 1: 509. (1753) |
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