Muntingia calabura

Jamaican Cherry, Panama Berry, Strawberry Tree, Cotton Candy Berry

Message of the Flower

Primitive Succulence

The Mother’s Comment

Pleasing to a simple taste.

Colour

white

Family

Muntingiaceae

Cultivars

No widely known cultivars.

Person who named the flower

Named by Linnaeus after Abraham Munting, a Dutch botanist.

Flower Size

Small, about 1-2 cm in diameter.

Flower Texture

Soft and delicate

Number of Petals

Five

Floral Symmetry

Radially symmetrical.

Fragrance of Flower

mild, sweet fragrance

Leaf Texture

slightly rough to the touch

Leaf Arrangement

Alternate

Leaf Color

Green

Structural Variation (Shrub or Tree)

Small tree or large shrub.

Life Cycle

Perennial

Blooming Period

Can flower and fruit throughout the year in optimal conditions.

Climate

Prefers tropical and subtropical climates

Water Requirements

Moderate; tolerates a range of moisture conditions.

Soil Type

Adaptable to various soil types, but prefers well-drained soil.

Temperature Ranges

Tolerant of a wide temperature range but not frost-hardy.

Sun or Shade

Prefers full sun to partial shade.

Susceptibility to Insects and Diseases

Susceptible to leaf spot and fruit flies.

Pollinators

Attracted to bees, butterflies, and birds.

Habitat

Common in open areas, roadsides, and disturbed lands in tropical regions.

Role in the Ecosystem

Provides food for birds and other wildlife; also used in reforestation projects.

Ornamental

Sometimes grown as an ornamental shade tree.

Uses in Other Aspects of Life

Mainly culinary and medicinal.

Endangered Status

Not listed as endangered.