Vallesia glabra

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
(Cav.) Link
Distribution map
Synonyms
  • Rauvolfia glabra
  • Vallesia antillana
  • Vallesia chiococcoides
  • Vallesia cymbifolia
  • Vallesia dichotoma
  • Vallesia glabra var. pubescens
  • Vallesia inedita
  • Vallesia punctata

Characteristics

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

The shrubs can reach a height of between 2 and 6 metres (6 feet 6 inches and 19 feet 8 inches).

Distribution

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
  1. "Campus Arboretum". The University of Arizona. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  2. "Plant Listings". Leon Levy Native Plant Reserve. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
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