Black Mampoo

Scientific name: Guapira fragrans

POWO Status: Tree

IUCN Red List threat level: Least Concern

GPS Location: 17° 42′ 59.72″ N, 64° 49′ 49.71″ W

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Medicinal Uses

In traditional medicine, Guapira fragrans (also known as black mampoo, Caribbean rosewood, or Caribbean laurel) has a variety of uses, primarily in the Caribbean region where it is native. 

Traditional uses include:

  • Fever reduction.
  • Relief from headaches.
  • Treatment of stomach problems or pains. 

It is important to note that these are traditional folk medicine practices, and the fruit of the Guapira fragrans should not be consumed. Scientific studies on the plant’s efficacy and safety are limited. 

Observations:

Phenologocal Markers – Black Mampoo (Guapira fragrans)

Scientific Name: Guapira fragrans
Common Names: Black Mampoo, Sweet Mampoo, Fragrant Guapira
Family: Nyctaginaceae
Native Range: Florida, Bahamas, Greater and Lesser Antilles, including U.S. Virgin Islands
Habitat: Dry to moist coastal forests, limestone hills, and thickets

Leaf Phenology

  • New Leaf Emergence: Generally coincides with the rainy season; new leaves emerge in flushes, often a paler green.
  • Leaf Persistence: Evergreen to semi-deciduous; retains most foliage year-round but may thin during dry periods.
  • Leaf Drop: Older leaves may yellow and drop prior to new growth; more pronounced during drought stress or seasonal dry spells.

Flowering Phenology

  • Flower Type: Small, inconspicuous, pale green to white flowers, often fragrant; usually borne in clusters at branch tips or leaf axils.
  • Flowering Period: Late spring through early fall (commonly May–September), though can vary based on rainfall.
  • Pollination Mechanism: Likely moth or bee-pollinated, given the fragrance and night-blooming tendencies reported in related species.

Fruiting Phenology

  • Fruit Type: Fleshy, single-seeded drupe; starts green and matures to dark red or purple-black.
  • Fruit Development: Follows flowering by a few weeks; ripens through late summer to early winter.
  • Dispersal Mechanism: Bird-dispersed; ripe fruits are eaten by frugivores which help spread the seeds.
  • Seasonality: Fruiting is seasonal but can overlap flowering during wetter months.

Observational Notes

  • Growth Habit: Small tree or large shrub, up to 10–15 feet tall, with a dense, rounded crown and smooth, gray bark.
  • Phenology Triggers: Rainfall and humidity are major drivers of flowering and fruiting. Coastal populations may respond to subtle seasonal cues.
  • Observation Tips: Note timing of flower appearance and fruit color changes; record leaf flushes as indicators of seasonal cycles. Look for frugivore activity (e.g., birds) during fruiting as a sign of dispersal.
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