Vallesia glabra, the pearlberry, is a species of plant, a shrub of the family Apocynaceae. It is native to tropical America. It also has the common names smooth vallesia[1] and tear shrub.[2]
| Vallesia glabra | |
|---|---|
| |
| Leaves and fruit | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Apocynaceae |
| Genus: | Vallesia |
| Species: | V. glabra
|
| Binomial name | |
| Vallesia glabra | |
| |
| Distribution map | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Characteristics edit
This plant is a source of shelter, food and liquid for numerous birds, which rest under its shade and feed on its fruits that are similar to small, white grapes or pearls, hence giving the plant its English common name of pearlberry.
Growth edit
The shrubs can reach a height of between 2 and 6 metres (6 feet 6 inches and 19 feet 8 inches).
Distribution edit
This species is found in Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador (including the Galapagos Islands), Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Paraguay, the Bahamas, Cuba and the United States (it is a native plant in Florida and has been introduced in California).
References edit
- ^ "Campus Arboretum". The University of Arizona. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
- ^ "Plant Listings". Leon Levy Native Plant Reserve. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
External links edit
Media related to Vallesia glabra at Wikimedia Commons
