Chrysobalanus

Chrysobalanus is a genus of evergreen perennial shrubs to small trees, described as a genus by Linnaeus in 1753. It is native to sub-tropical and tropical regions of Africa, Latin America, and Florida.

Species

GENUS

KingdomPlantae
PhylumTracheophyta
ClassMagnoliopsida
OrderMalpighiales
FamilyChrysobalanaceae

Native toAngola, Bahamas, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Brazil North, Brazil Northeast, Brazil Southeast, Cameroon, Cayman Is., Central African Republic, Central American Pacific Is.

Observations recorded16,713

Chrysobalanus es un género con tres especies de plantas fanerógamas perteneciente a la familia Chrysobalanaceae. Es originario de las regiones tropicales y subtropicales de América y de las tropicales de África.[1] Comprende 33 especies descritas y de estas, solo 3 aceptadas.[2] Índice 1 Descripción 2 Taxonomía 3 Especies aceptadas 4 Referencias Descripción Son arbustos o árboles pequeños, hasta 5 m de alto. Hojas orbiculares a ovado-elípticas, 2–8 cm de largo y 1.2–6 cm de ancho, retusas o redondeadas en el ápice con un acumen obtuso de hasta 2 mm de largo, subcuneadas en la base, glabras, nervios primarios inconspicuos; pecíolos 2–4 mm de largo, estípulas 1–3 mm de largo, deciduas. Inflorescencias címulas pequeñas, terminales y axilares, con tomento gris-café; receptáculo cupuliforme, tomentoso; lobos del cáliz redondeados a agudos; pétalos más largos que los lobos del cáliz, glabros, blancos; estambres 12–26, filamentos unidos parte de su longitud en grupos pequeños, densamente pilosos; ovario insertado en la base del receptáculo, piloso, carpelo 1-locular. Fruto ovado a obovado, 1.8–5 cm de largo, epicarpo liso con crestas longitudinales, mesocarpo delgado y carnoso, endocarp

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Chrysobalanus attains a maximum height of 25 or 30 feet (8–10 m). It is found in coastal areas as a wild plant, and is frequently planted in gardens. It has a low-growing and sprawling habit. It can form dense stands and become invasive. The leaves are obovate or obcordate in outline, about 2in long, thick, glossy, and deep green in color. It has small white flowers, in axillary racemes or cymes, not too showy, but they have a dainty and sweet fragrance. This plant bears a damson-sized edible red pulpy fruit with a black and thin skin, resembles a large plum in appearance, being oval 1.5in long. The sweet fruits with white flesh, which is cottony and of insipid taste, adheres closely to the large oblong seed turn from creamy tones to dark-blue pleasing tasty peaches which can be made into a sweet preserved jam, made by the earliest arrivals to the low-lying Florida peninsula. The fruit is extensively used in the tropics.