West Indian milkberry
ExplorePlants
West Indian milkberry
Chiococca alba
The West Indian milkberry is a small shrub with shiny green leaves and sweet, edible berries. It grows in warm places and is loved by birds and other animals.
Habitat: Coastal areas
Appearance
The West Indian milkberry is a sprawling or climbing shrub with shiny, dark green leaves. It produces small, bell-shaped, fragrant white flowers that develop into distinctive, spherical, bright white berries, resembling tiny pearls.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderGentianalesFamilyRubiaceaeGenusChiococca
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Despite being called 'milkberry,' its juicy white fruits taste sweet, not milky, and are enjoyed by wildlife!
Indigenous cultures have used parts of this plant for traditional remedies for hundreds of years!
Its scientific name, Chiococca, means 'snow berry' in Greek, describing its striking white fruits!
This plant is a cousin to coffee! Both belong to the same plant family, Rubiaceae.
Special abilities
Ability
Pearl Power Berries
West Indian milkberry produces bright white berries that stand out against green leaves, helping birds find and spread its seeds far!
Ability
Sweet Scent Signal
Its tiny white flowers release a sweet fragrance that helps attract bees and butterflies, ensuring successful pollination.
Ability
Climbing Champion
West Indian milkberry can climb using its sturdy stems, allowing it to reach sunlight even in dense forest areas.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 100-400 cm
- Spread
- 100-300 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.5-1 cm
- Bloom Season
- Year-round, peaking in warmer months
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
collects nectar from its flowers
pollinates
Monarch Butterfly
Danaus plexippus
visits flowers for sweet nectar
eaten by
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
eats the white berries, dispersing seeds
eaten by
Red-legged Thrush
Mimocichla plumbea
feeds on the berries in the Caribbean
Traits
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Evergreen
Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
Fruit Bearing
Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Coastal
Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always check with an adult before tasting any berries from plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is West Indian milkberry?
100-400 cm
How wide does West Indian milkberry spread?
100-300 cm
How big are the flowers on West Indian milkberry?
0.5-1 cm
When does West Indian milkberry bloom?
Year-round, peaking in warmer months
Is West Indian milkberry edible?
Yes
Is West Indian milkberry toxic?
None
What is West Indian milkberry's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is West Indian milkberry pollinated?
Insect
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