04 - Azulzinha-do-bosque - Coccocypselum lanceolatum (Ruiz & amp. Pav.) Pers. (RUBIACEAE)

 

Creeping herb, small, with velvet texture. Plant with white or reddish branches, petiole up to 2 cm and leaves from 3 to 7.5 × 2 to 3 cm, in the shape of a lance or rounded, with a thin tip, margin with lashes, green or reddish on both sides. Flower up to 1 cm in diameter, with four petals, usually white or pink, present mainly at the tip of the branches. The fruit is a berry with a spongy and tasteless texture, with an intense blue color when ripe.

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Distribution: In all of Latin America, except in the Amazon region. Cerrado transition environments, forest edges.

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Situation in São Paulo: I found only one piece of land, on the edge of the West Zone in a small area, but very characteristic of the cerrado that was completely devastated to make a vegetable garden. Even so, I managed to collect a very badly treated specimen, which I separated into some seedlings. I will keep watching, but it seems to be rare in the Metropolitan area.

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How to plant: Remove the seedling carefully as it is a sensitive plant, plant semi-buried and water well until the plant begins to develop.

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Uses: Due to its succulent undergrowth aspect, moderate growth and easy handling, it has the potential for landscaping as a lining and its attractions are the beautiful intense blue fruits. The fruits are edible, but tasteless, with the potential to produce pulps, liqueurs, jellies and ice cream.

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JUNG – MENDAÇOLLI, SL (COORD.) RUBIACEAE IN: MELHEN, TS ET AL. FLORA FANEROGÂMICA DE SÃO PAULO STATE, VOL. 5, PP: 259-460, 2007.

 

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