Crossopetalum aquifolium

Crossopetalum aquifolium (Griseb.) Hitchc.

Family: Celestraceae

Habit: Crossopetalum aquifolium grows along the ground rarely above 15 cm in height, spreading in patches up to 75 cm in diameter.  The leaves are arranged oppositely, ovate, with a margin that is spinose with extended pointed teeth. The leaves are twisted and not flat.

The complete, perfect, actinomorphic flowers are arranged in few-flowered groups in leaf axils.  The calyx has 2 unfused greenish sepals.  The corolla has 4 unfused greenish-white petals.  There are 4 stamens.  The inferior ovary has 4 locules.  The fruit is a red berry at maturity that is sessile on the stem.

Habitat: Crossopetalum aquifolium grows along the ground in Dry Broadleaf Evergreen Formation – Forest/Shrubland (coppice) on limestone substrate and in Pine Woodlands.

Distribution: Crossopetalum aquifolium occurs in the central and northern island groupings in the Lucayan Archipelago and in Cuba.

Medicinal/Cultural/Economic usage: Crossopetalum aquifolium is not known to be used medicinally in the Lucayan Archipelago.