Muntingia calabura (Panama Berry, Singapore Cherry)

Small, 23 to 40 feet tall tree from the genus Muntingia and from the family Muntingiaceae, native to Southern Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, Western South America south to Peru and Bolivia. It grows preferably on poor soils and sandy soils. The fruits are red, sweet, juicy and full of small seeds, the flowers are white and each has 5 petals. The fruits are eaten in-natura, can also apply to the manufacture of jams and in Brazil the leaves are used as a tea.

Our specimen we have overtaken by the purchase of our yard, it was recognized only by Helton Josué and his wife Emilene on 16th September 2009, best thanks to them.

Flower and fruit of Muntingia calabura in our garden in December 2009.

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Updated by Joachim Jaeck on March 10th, 2010