Calabura, Jamaica cherry F I Calabura, Jamaica cherry F I

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).

Flowering ± year-round. Disturbed, nonsalty sites; 0–10+ m; introduced; Fla.; Mexico; West Indies; Central America; South America; also introduced in Old World Tropics.

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.