Rubiaceae FAMILY

Hamelia patens

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

1/5

Safety & Hazards

The plant is toxic[ 1728 Title Plants of Haiti used as Antifertility Agents Publication Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 6 (1982) 61 - 84 Author Weniger B. et al Publisher Year 1982 ISBN 0378-8741 Description ]. Further details are lacking from the report[ K Title Plants for a Future Author Ken Fern Description Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips. ].

Botanical Description

Hamelia patens is an evergreen shrub, usually growing 1.8 - 3 metres tall, though sometimes becoming a tree up to 5 metres tall with a short bole around 8cm in diameter[ 448 Title Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Second Volume. Publication Author Little E.L.; Woodbury R.O.;Wadsworth F.H. Publisher USDA, Forest Service; Washington. Year 1974 ISBN Description Contains detailed information, and usually an illustration, on 500 tree species, including both native and exotic species. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of tannins. It is grown as an ornamental, valued especially for its showy flowers, which are often borne when the plants are less than 60cm tall[ 448 Title Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Second Volume. Publication Author Little E.L.; Woodbury R.O.;Wadsworth F.H. Publisher USDA, Forest Service; Washington. Year 1974 ISBN Description Contains detailed information, and usually an illustration, on 500 tree species, including both native and exotic species. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeS. America - All countries except Uruguay, Chile; C. America - Panama to Mexico; Caribbean - Trinidad to Cuba, the Bahamas and to Florida.

HabitatOpen areas and thickets in the moist limestone and lower foothills of Puerto Rico, from sea level to 600 metres[ 448 Title Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Second Volume. Publication Author Little E.L.; Woodbury R.O.;Wadsworth F.H. Publisher USDA, Forest Service; Washington. Year 1974 ISBN Description Contains detailed information, and usually an illustration, on 500 tree species, including both native and exotic species. ].