Bunchberry

Scientific name: Eugenia monticola

POWO Status: Shrub or Tree

IUCN Red List threat level: Least Concern

GPS Location: 17° 42′ 56.41″ N, 64° 49′ 47.16″ W

Observations:

Phenological Markers – Eugenia monticola (Bunchberry)

Family: Myrtaceae
Common Names: Bunchberry, Black Cherry, Bird Cherry, Mountain Stopper, West Indian Cherry
Habitat: Native to the Caribbean and parts of tropical America, including Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and southern Florida. Commonly found in dry forests, hillsides, and limestone areas.

Phenological Markers:

Flowering Period:
Typically flowers from late spring to mid-summer (May to July), though timing may vary slightly with elevation and rainfall. Small white flowers appear in clusters, often after new leaf flush.
Fruiting Period:
Fruits usually develop and ripen from late summer to early fall (August to October). The fruit is a small, round berry that turns dark red to purple-black when mature and is eaten by birds.
Leaf Fall:
Evergreen, but may exhibit partial leaf drop during extended drought or at the start of the dry season (January to March). Otherwise, leaves persist year-round.
Budding Period:
New leaf flush and flower buds typically appear in early to mid-spring (March to May), often in response to increased rainfall or humidity.

Key Features:

Leaves: Opposite, leathery, glossy green, ovate to elliptic with a pleasant spicy or resinous scent when crushed.
Flowers: Small, white, 4-petaled flowers with numerous stamens, typically borne in axillary clusters.
Fruits: Small berries (~1 cm), edible but tart, darkening to purple-black at maturity. Loved by birds and other wildlife.

Additional Notes:

While its fruit is not widely consumed by humans, it is occasionally used in preserves or traditional remedies.

Eugenia monticola is a native tree important for local ecosystems, especially as a food source for birds and insects.

Drought-tolerant and well-adapted to limestone and rocky soils, making it ideal for restoration and xeriscaping projects.