Casearia nitida
Casearia nitida
Safety & Hazards
The fruit is a capsute containing several seeds. Although the capsule of some species (and possibly also the seeds contained therein) is somewhat toxic, the fleshy aril surrounding the seeds is a different matter and in some species (see information below on edibility to see if this is one of them) is often eaten and is considered to be perfectly wholesome[ 1438 Title Food Plants in the Americas: A Survey of the Domesticated, Cultivated, and Wild Plants Used for Human Food in North, Publication Author Kermath B.M.; Bennett B.C.' Pulsipher L.M. Publisher Year 2014 ISBN Description A pre-publication draft of an amazing, on-going work first started in 1985. It contains information on more than 3,900 taxa from the Americas - from Arctic regions to the Tropics , 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
Casearia nitida is a deciduous shrub or a small tree with a low, spreading crown; it can grow 1.5 - 6 metres tall[ 342 Title Flora of Jamaica Publication Author Fawcett. W. & Rendle. A. B. Publisher British Museum Year 1910 ISBN Description Rather dated, so many name changes. Nevertheless, a very good guide to the plants of the Caribbean. The book is out of copyright and can be legally downloaded from various websites. , 676 Title Anthropological Papers Nos. 27 - 32 Publication Bureau of American Ethnology. Bulletin 136. Author Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher US Government Printing Office; Washington. Year 1943 ISBN Description A series of papers, including one looking at 100 often used native plants of the Yucatan. ]. The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and a source of wood.