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Aratilis (Fil)

Muntingia calabura

Description:

Muntingia calabura, the sole species in the genus Muntingia, is a flowering plant native to southern Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and western South America south to Peru and Bolivia.[1] Common names include (English) Jamaican cherry, Panama berry, Singapore cherry, Bajelly tree, Strawberry tree; (Spanish) bolaina, yamanaza, cacaniqua, capulín blanco, nigua, niguito, memizo or memiso; (Indonesia) kersen, talok; (Vietnamese) Trứng cá (thực vật); and (Filipino) mansanitas, alatris, aratilis,and sarisa.

Habitat:

It is a pioneer species that thrives in poor soil, able to tolerate acidic and alkaline conditions and drought. Its seeds are dispersed by birds and fruit bats. It is cultivated for its edible fruit, and has become naturalised in some other parts of the tropics, including southeastern Asia. As a pioneer plant, it could help condition the soil and make it habitable to other plants. However, it might also be considered as an invasive species since it might out-compete indigenous plants.

Notes:

Picture # 3 is part of picture #2 which you may find it different from the leaves found in rural areas as this may be stained by urban pollutants. As I suspect, this might be particles of combustion picked from passing vehicles.

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KdonGalay
Spotted by
KdonGalay

Metro Manila, Philippines

Spotted on May 21, 2014
Submitted on May 24, 2014

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Panama cherry Buah Cheri malayan cherry Kersen - Jamaican cherry

Nearby Spottings

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Reference

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