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calabura, Jamaica cherry, strawberry tree

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

Phenology Flowering ± year-round.
Habitat Disturbed, nonsalty sites
Elevation 0–10+ m (0–0+ ft)
Distribution
from FNA
FL; Mexico; Central America; South America; West Indies [Introduced in North America; also introduced in Old World Tropics]
[WildflowerSearch map]
[BONAP county map]
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 Muntingiaceae > Muntingia
Name authority Linnaeus: Sp. Pl. 1: 509. (1753)
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