Alibertia edulis is a species of tree in the family Rubiaceae. It is native to the tropical forests of the Americas.[1]

Alibertia edulis
Alibertia edulis leaves and flowers
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Rubiaceae
Genus: Alibertia
Species:
A. edulis
Binomial name
Alibertia edulis
(Rich.) A.Rich. ex DC.
The unripe fruit of Alibertia edulis

Description

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Alibertia edulis is an evergreen dioecious tree up to 25 feet (7.5m) tall at maturity, with light brownish bark and opposite, ovate, dark green leaves that have a smooth margin. The flowers are tubular to trumpet-shaped, white, hairy, in 4-8" panicles, with 4-5 petals. The fruit is yellow, egg-shaped, ovate, edible, and made into jam or juices. The fruits are collected from trees in the wild, as this species is seldom cultivated.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Grandtner, M. M.; Chevrette, Julien (2013). Dictionary of Trees, Volume 2: South America: Nomenclature, Taxonomy and Ecology. Academic Press. pp. 22–23. ISBN 9780123969545.
  2. ^ "Alibertia edulis". bananasraras.org (Rare bananas). Retrieved 16 January 2015.