Muntingia calabura

L. (1753)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Rosids Order: Malvales Family: Muntingiaceae Genus: Muntingia

Jamaican cherry, Panama berry, strawberry tree

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form:

Stems:

Roots:

Leaves:

Flowers:

Fruit:

Ploidy:

Habitat:

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kaua'i Potentially naturalizing
O'ahu Potentially naturalizing

Dispersal Agents

Birds

Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Sp. Pl.: 509 (1753)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:588 (O? [based on possibly nat. spm. from Hālawa Valley, 1946], DESCR); Staples & Herbst 2005:336 (KEY), 337 (DESCR); Brock et al. 2023:132 (K); Note: remove O? [no nat. spms. in past 50 years], Apr 2025

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Muntingia calabura Waimanalo Research Station full sun Preserved_Specimen Multi-trunked tree of 5 m with low spreading crown. Well branched. Lau, J. 1800 Oahu BISH 1985-12-30
2 Muntingia calabura Waimea District. Northwest of Kekaha, north of highway 50. Growing in irrigation ditch. At least 40 mature individuals seen scattered over a broad area near Kekaha. apparently naturalized in disturbed areas, fallow agricultural fields, along irrigation netw Preserved_Specimen Shrub - small tree about 3m tall; stems thick; branches conspicuously distichous, giving the plant a sprawling, tiered appearance; leaves dull gray-green, lighter below; flowers with thin white petals and pale green inrolled sepals; fruits green, globose, and pendulous such that they are mostly hidden by leaves. Brock, K. 999 Kauai BISH 2017-05-24
3 Muntingia calabura Wailua; Wailua Homesteads, Kipapa Road, on SW side of road next to a small pond on empty but manicured lot. With Impatiens planted at base, few other smaller Muntingia trees on property boarder, poss Cultivated. Growing w/ Syzygium cumini, Psidium guava. Preserved_Specimen Tree about 20 ft tall. Frt red. Fls white. Filament green, anther yellow. Lvs dark green above and dull green below. LVs lax. Bark white w/deep brown fissures. Tangalin, N. 1300 Kauai BISH 2007-05-29
4 Muntingia calabura Lihue, Puhi Camp just W of Community College homesites as camp was razed Preserved_Specimen Tree of 25'. Petals white Flynn, T.W. 2005 Kauai BISH 1986-12-05
5 Muntingia calabura Honolulu, 1930 Ualakaa St his garden Preserved_Specimen Wilder, G.P. Oahu BISH 1930-05-01
6 Muntingia calabura Kekaha, along water dike Preserved_Specimen 5 m tree; alternate leaves, foliage concentrated toward branch tips; white flowers, yellow anthers; ripe fruit dull red Trauernicht, C. 228 Kauai BISH 2007-10-29
7 Muntingia calabura Honolulu, Kalihi Preserved_Specimen shrub of 2 m. Flowers white Fosberg, F.R. 10536 Oahu BISH 1933-04-28
8 Muntingia calabura Honolulu, U.S.Experimant Station, Pensacola St Preserved_Specimen tall tree Degener, O. 2484 Oahu BISH 1928-01-31
9 Muntingia calabura Waimea, Abandoned Mana camp Preserved_Specimen Tree of 25'. Leaves dark, dull green above, dull, grey-green below with yellowish-green veins; petiole and young stems grey-green; sepals pale green without, whitish-green within; stamens numerous, filaments whitish-green Flynn, T.W. 3570 Kauai BISH 1989-10-18
10 Muntingia calabura Honolulu, Kalihi St Preserved_Specimen 16 ft. Grant, M.L. 7119 Oahu BISH 1934-07-18
11 Muntingia calabura Northwest of Kekaha, north of highway 50. Unspecified Kelsey Brock 999 Kauai HAPI 5/24/2017
12 Muntingia calabura Northwest of Kekaha, north of highway 50. Unspecified Kelsey Brock 999 Kauai HAPI 5/26/2017
13 Muntingia calabura Northwest of Kekaha, north of highway 50. Unspecified Kelsey Brock 999 Kauai HAPI 5/27/2017
14 Muntingia calabura Northwest of Kekaha, north of highway 50. Unspecified Kelsey Brock 999 Kauai HAPI 5/25/2017
15 Muntingia calabura Honolulu, Kamehameha Girls' School Arboretum, Kapalama Preserved_Specimen weak bush of 10'; flowers white; fruit red when ripe, sweet Judd Jr., A.F. 2425 Oahu BISH 1938-12-10
16 Muntingia calabura Halawa Trail Preserved_Specimen Kerr, M. 1 Oahu BISH 1946-01-06
17 Muntingia calabura Honolulu, U.S.Experiment Station, Pensacola Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 10405 Oahu BISH 1932-05-23
18 Muntingia calabura Honolulu, U.S. Experiment Station, end of Pensacola Street Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 6042 Oahu BISH 1933-01-01
19 Muntingia calabura Tantalus, Makiki side Preserved_Specimen Kerr, M. 53 Oahu BISH 1946-07-20
20 Muntingia calabura Halawa Trail Preserved_Specimen Oahu BISH 1946-01-06
21 Muntingia calabura Honolulu, Kalihi, Bishop Estate Nursery Preserved_Specimen Judd Jr., A.F. Oahu BISH 1930-12-01
22 Muntingia calabura Honolulu, Kalihi Road Preserved_Specimen Young, Mrs. E.M. Oahu BISH 1931-05-01
23 Muntingia calabura Kalihi, Bishop Estate Nursery Preserved_Specimen Judd Jr., A.F. 22 Oahu BISH 1928-02-02
24 Muntingia calabura Waimanalo Research Station full sun Preserved_Specimen Multi-trunked tree of 5 m with low spreading crown. Well branched. Lau, J. 1800 Oahu BISH 1985-12-30
25 Muntingia calabura Waimea District. Northwest of Kekaha, north of highway 50. Growing in irrigation ditch. At least 40 mature individuals seen scattered over a broad area near Kekaha. apparently naturalized in disturbed areas, fallow agricultural fields, along irrigation netw Preserved_Specimen Shrub - small tree about 3m tall; stems thick; branches conspicuously distichous, giving the plant a sprawling, tiered appearance; leaves dull gray-green, lighter below; flowers with thin white petals and pale green inrolled sepals; fruits green, globose, and pendulous such that they are mostly hidden by leaves. Brock, K. 999 Kauai BISH 2017-05-24
26 Muntingia calabura Wailua; Wailua Homesteads, Kipapa Road, on SW side of road next to a small pond on empty but manicured lot. With Impatiens planted at base, few other smaller Muntingia trees on property boarder, poss Cultivated. Growing w/ Syzygium cumini, Psidium guava. Preserved_Specimen Tree about 20 ft tall. Frt red. Fls white. Filament green, anther yellow. Lvs dark green above and dull green below. LVs lax. Bark white w/deep brown fissures. Tangalin, N. 1300 Kauai BISH 2007-05-29
27 Muntingia calabura Lihue, Puhi Camp just W of Community College homesites as camp was razed Preserved_Specimen Tree of 25'. Petals white Flynn, T.W. 2005 Kauai BISH 1986-12-05
28 Muntingia calabura Honolulu, 1930 Ualakaa St his garden Preserved_Specimen Wilder, G.P. Oahu BISH 1930-05-01
29 Muntingia calabura Kekaha, along water dike Preserved_Specimen 5 m tree; alternate leaves, foliage concentrated toward branch tips; white flowers, yellow anthers; ripe fruit dull red Trauernicht, C. 228 Kauai BISH 2007-10-29
30 Muntingia calabura Honolulu, Kalihi Preserved_Specimen shrub of 2 m. Flowers white Fosberg, F.R. 10536 Oahu BISH 1933-04-28
31 Muntingia calabura Honolulu, U.S.Experimant Station, Pensacola St Preserved_Specimen tall tree Degener, O. 2484 Oahu BISH 1928-01-31
32 Muntingia calabura Waimea, Abandoned Mana camp Preserved_Specimen Tree of 25'. Leaves dark, dull green above, dull, grey-green below with yellowish-green veins; petiole and young stems grey-green; sepals pale green without, whitish-green within; stamens numerous, filaments whitish-green Flynn, T.W. 3570 Kauai BISH 1989-10-18
33 Muntingia calabura Honolulu, Kalihi St Preserved_Specimen 16 ft. Grant, M.L. 7119 Oahu BISH 1934-07-18
34 Muntingia calabura Northwest of Kekaha, north of highway 50. Unspecified Kelsey Brock 999 Kauai HAPI 5/24/2017
35 Muntingia calabura Northwest of Kekaha, north of highway 50. Unspecified Kelsey Brock 999 Kauai HAPI 5/26/2017
36 Muntingia calabura Northwest of Kekaha, north of highway 50. Unspecified Kelsey Brock 999 Kauai HAPI 5/27/2017
37 Muntingia calabura Northwest of Kekaha, north of highway 50. Unspecified Kelsey Brock 999 Kauai HAPI 5/25/2017
38 Muntingia calabura Honolulu, Kamehameha Girls' School Arboretum, Kapalama Preserved_Specimen weak bush of 10'; flowers white; fruit red when ripe, sweet Judd Jr., A.F. 2425 Oahu BISH 1938-12-10
39 Muntingia calabura Halawa Trail Preserved_Specimen Kerr, M. 1 Oahu BISH 1946-01-06
40 Muntingia calabura Honolulu, U.S.Experiment Station, Pensacola Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 10405 Oahu BISH 1932-05-23
41 Muntingia calabura Honolulu, U.S. Experiment Station, end of Pensacola Street Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 6042 Oahu BISH 1933-01-01
42 Muntingia calabura Tantalus, Makiki side Preserved_Specimen Kerr, M. 53 Oahu BISH 1946-07-20
43 Muntingia calabura Halawa Trail Preserved_Specimen Oahu BISH 1946-01-06
44 Muntingia calabura Honolulu, Kalihi, Bishop Estate Nursery Preserved_Specimen Judd Jr., A.F. Oahu BISH 1930-12-01
45 Muntingia calabura Honolulu, Kalihi Road Preserved_Specimen Young, Mrs. E.M. Oahu BISH 1931-05-01
46 Muntingia calabura Kalihi, Bishop Estate Nursery Preserved_Specimen Judd Jr., A.F. 22 Oahu BISH 1928-02-02
47 Muntingia calabura Waimanalo Research Station full sun Preserved_Specimen Multi-trunked tree of 5 m with low spreading crown. Well branched. Lau, J. 1800 Oahu BISH 1985-12-30
48 Muntingia calabura Waimea District. Northwest of Kekaha, north of highway 50. Growing in irrigation ditch. At least 40 mature individuals seen scattered over a broad area near Kekaha. apparently naturalized in disturbed areas, fallow agricultural fields, along irrigation netw Preserved_Specimen Shrub - small tree about 3m tall; stems thick; branches conspicuously distichous, giving the plant a sprawling, tiered appearance; leaves dull gray-green, lighter below; flowers with thin white petals and pale green inrolled sepals; fruits green, globose, and pendulous such that they are mostly hidden by leaves. Brock, K. 999 Kauai BISH 2017-05-24
49 Muntingia calabura Wailua; Wailua Homesteads, Kipapa Road, on SW side of road next to a small pond on empty but manicured lot. With Impatiens planted at base, few other smaller Muntingia trees on property boarder, poss Cultivated. Growing w/ Syzygium cumini, Psidium guava. Preserved_Specimen Tree about 20 ft tall. Frt red. Fls white. Filament green, anther yellow. Lvs dark green above and dull green below. LVs lax. Bark white w/deep brown fissures. Tangalin, N. 1300 Kauai BISH 2007-05-29
50 Muntingia calabura Lihue, Puhi Camp just W of Community College homesites as camp was razed Preserved_Specimen Tree of 25'. Petals white Flynn, T.W. 2005 Kauai BISH 1986-12-05
51 Muntingia calabura Honolulu, 1930 Ualakaa St his garden Preserved_Specimen Wilder, G.P. Oahu BISH 1930-05-01
52 Muntingia calabura Kekaha, along water dike Preserved_Specimen 5 m tree; alternate leaves, foliage concentrated toward branch tips; white flowers, yellow anthers; ripe fruit dull red Trauernicht, C. 228 Kauai BISH 2007-10-29
53 Muntingia calabura Honolulu, Kalihi Preserved_Specimen shrub of 2 m. Flowers white Fosberg, F.R. 10536 Oahu BISH 1933-04-28
54 Muntingia calabura Honolulu, U.S.Experimant Station, Pensacola St Preserved_Specimen tall tree Degener, O. 2484 Oahu BISH 1928-01-31
55 Muntingia calabura Waimea, Abandoned Mana camp Preserved_Specimen Tree of 25'. Leaves dark, dull green above, dull, grey-green below with yellowish-green veins; petiole and young stems grey-green; sepals pale green without, whitish-green within; stamens numerous, filaments whitish-green Flynn, T.W. 3570 Kauai BISH 1989-10-18
56 Muntingia calabura Honolulu, Kalihi St Preserved_Specimen 16 ft. Grant, M.L. 7119 Oahu BISH 1934-07-18
57 Muntingia calabura Northwest of Kekaha, north of highway 50. Unspecified Kelsey Brock 999 Kauai HAPI 5/24/2017
58 Muntingia calabura Northwest of Kekaha, north of highway 50. Unspecified Kelsey Brock 999 Kauai HAPI 5/26/2017
59 Muntingia calabura Northwest of Kekaha, north of highway 50. Unspecified Kelsey Brock 999 Kauai HAPI 5/27/2017
60 Muntingia calabura Northwest of Kekaha, north of highway 50. Unspecified Kelsey Brock 999 Kauai HAPI 5/25/2017
61 Muntingia calabura Honolulu, Kamehameha Girls' School Arboretum, Kapalama Preserved_Specimen weak bush of 10'; flowers white; fruit red when ripe, sweet Judd Jr., A.F. 2425 Oahu BISH 1938-12-10
62 Muntingia calabura Halawa Trail Preserved_Specimen Kerr, M. 1 Oahu BISH 1946-01-06
63 Muntingia calabura Honolulu, U.S.Experiment Station, Pensacola Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 10405 Oahu BISH 1932-05-23
64 Muntingia calabura Honolulu, U.S. Experiment Station, end of Pensacola Street Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 6042 Oahu BISH 1933-01-01
65 Muntingia calabura Tantalus, Makiki side Preserved_Specimen Kerr, M. 53 Oahu BISH 1946-07-20
66 Muntingia calabura Halawa Trail Preserved_Specimen Oahu BISH 1946-01-06
67 Muntingia calabura Honolulu, Kalihi, Bishop Estate Nursery Preserved_Specimen Judd Jr., A.F. Oahu BISH 1930-12-01
68 Muntingia calabura Honolulu, Kalihi Road Preserved_Specimen Young, Mrs. E.M. Oahu BISH 1931-05-01
69 Muntingia calabura Kalihi, Bishop Estate Nursery Preserved_Specimen Judd Jr., A.F. 22 Oahu BISH 1928-02-02
70 Muntingia calabura Waimanalo Research Station full sun Preserved_Specimen Multi-trunked tree of 5 m with low spreading crown. Well branched. Lau, J. 1800 Oahu BISH 1985-12-30
71 Muntingia calabura Waimea District. Northwest of Kekaha, north of highway 50. Growing in irrigation ditch. At least 40 mature individuals seen scattered over a broad area near Kekaha. apparently naturalized in disturbed areas, fallow agricultural fields, along irrigation netw Preserved_Specimen Shrub - small tree about 3m tall; stems thick; branches conspicuously distichous, giving the plant a sprawling, tiered appearance; leaves dull gray-green, lighter below; flowers with thin white petals and pale green inrolled sepals; fruits green, globose, and pendulous such that they are mostly hidden by leaves. Brock, K. 999 Kauai BISH 2017-05-24
72 Muntingia calabura Wailua; Wailua Homesteads, Kipapa Road, on SW side of road next to a small pond on empty but manicured lot. With Impatiens planted at base, few other smaller Muntingia trees on property boarder, poss Cultivated. Growing w/ Syzygium cumini, Psidium guava. Preserved_Specimen Tree about 20 ft tall. Frt red. Fls white. Filament green, anther yellow. Lvs dark green above and dull green below. LVs lax. Bark white w/deep brown fissures. Tangalin, N. 1300 Kauai BISH 2007-05-29
73 Muntingia calabura Lihue, Puhi Camp just W of Community College homesites as camp was razed Preserved_Specimen Tree of 25'. Petals white Flynn, T.W. 2005 Kauai BISH 1986-12-05
74 Muntingia calabura Honolulu, 1930 Ualakaa St his garden Preserved_Specimen Wilder, G.P. Oahu BISH 1930-05-01
75 Muntingia calabura Kekaha, along water dike Preserved_Specimen 5 m tree; alternate leaves, foliage concentrated toward branch tips; white flowers, yellow anthers; ripe fruit dull red Trauernicht, C. 228 Kauai BISH 2007-10-29
76 Muntingia calabura Honolulu, Kalihi Preserved_Specimen shrub of 2 m. Flowers white Fosberg, F.R. 10536 Oahu BISH 1933-04-28
77 Muntingia calabura Honolulu, U.S.Experimant Station, Pensacola St Preserved_Specimen tall tree Degener, O. 2484 Oahu BISH 1928-01-31
78 Muntingia calabura Waimea, Abandoned Mana camp Preserved_Specimen Tree of 25'. Leaves dark, dull green above, dull, grey-green below with yellowish-green veins; petiole and young stems grey-green; sepals pale green without, whitish-green within; stamens numerous, filaments whitish-green Flynn, T.W. 3570 Kauai BISH 1989-10-18
79 Muntingia calabura Honolulu, Kalihi St Preserved_Specimen 16 ft. Grant, M.L. 7119 Oahu BISH 1934-07-18
80 Muntingia calabura Northwest of Kekaha, north of highway 50. Unspecified Kelsey Brock 999 Kauai HAPI 5/24/2017
81 Muntingia calabura Northwest of Kekaha, north of highway 50. Unspecified Kelsey Brock 999 Kauai HAPI 5/26/2017
82 Muntingia calabura Northwest of Kekaha, north of highway 50. Unspecified Kelsey Brock 999 Kauai HAPI 5/27/2017
83 Muntingia calabura Northwest of Kekaha, north of highway 50. Unspecified Kelsey Brock 999 Kauai HAPI 5/25/2017
84 Muntingia calabura Honolulu, Kamehameha Girls' School Arboretum, Kapalama Preserved_Specimen weak bush of 10'; flowers white; fruit red when ripe, sweet Judd Jr., A.F. 2425 Oahu BISH 1938-12-10
85 Muntingia calabura Halawa Trail Preserved_Specimen Kerr, M. 1 Oahu BISH 1946-01-06
86 Muntingia calabura Honolulu, U.S.Experiment Station, Pensacola Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 10405 Oahu BISH 1932-05-23
87 Muntingia calabura Honolulu, U.S. Experiment Station, end of Pensacola Street Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 6042 Oahu BISH 1933-01-01
88 Muntingia calabura Tantalus, Makiki side Preserved_Specimen Kerr, M. 53 Oahu BISH 1946-07-20
89 Muntingia calabura Halawa Trail Preserved_Specimen Oahu BISH 1946-01-06
90 Muntingia calabura Honolulu, Kalihi, Bishop Estate Nursery Preserved_Specimen Judd Jr., A.F. Oahu BISH 1930-12-01
91 Muntingia calabura Honolulu, Kalihi Road Preserved_Specimen Young, Mrs. E.M. Oahu BISH 1931-05-01
92 Muntingia calabura Kalihi, Bishop Estate Nursery Preserved_Specimen Judd Jr., A.F. 22 Oahu BISH 1928-02-02