Tropical Plant "Pururuca"
Casearia rupestris

Characteristics - Casearia rupestris is a fruit tree, not under cultivation and not frequent in nature in its natural habitat, the dense vegetation (cerradoes) and semi-deciduous forests of the Parana River basin, in the states of Minas Gerais, Goias, Mato Grosso do Sul and Sao Paulo. It is a semi-deciduous tree, 4-7 m tall, the extremities of the branches are white-tomentose with linear stipules, up to 1 cm long. Leaves are chartaceous, initially white tomentose on both surfaces, 7-12 cm long with a 1.0-1.5 cm petiole. Inflorescences in multifloral fascicles, located on the nodes of the leafless branches, emerge at the same time as the new foliage, with fragrant flowers, they form in August – September. Fruits are capsules, globose, dehiscent, with various seeds wrapped in sticky, carnose aril, sweet and edible; they ripen in September – October.

Uses - The fruits are consumed in their natural state, but are not widely appreciated.

Propagation - Propagated by seeds.