Habit: Myrcianthes fragrans grows as a large shrub to small tree up to 15 m in height with a trunk to 25 cm in diameter. The bark is grey-white and peels to reveal an orange-red under bark. The leaves are arranged oppositely, to 5 cm long and 3 cm wide, are oblong to elliptic shape with a rounded or retuse leaf apex and entire or sometimes notched margin. The leaf surface is pellucid punctate that gives it a slightly rough appearance.
The flowers are arranged in cymes that produce 3-7 flowers. The calyx, corolla and androecium are fused together at their base to form a hypanthium. There are 4 calyx lobes that are greenish and 4 corolla lobes that are white. There are numerous stamens. The ovary is inferior and has 2 locules with numerous seeds. The fruit is a berry that turns bright orange-red at maturity.
Habitat: Myrcianthes fragrans grows in exposed areas of Dry Broadleaf Evergreen Formation -Shrublands (scrublands).
Distribution: Myrcianthes fragrans occurs throughout the entire Bahamian Archipelago as well as Florida, the Caribbean region and Central and South America.
Medicinal/Cultural/Economic usage: Myrcianthes fragrans has been used medicinally in the Bahamas to treat gastrointestinal problems.
Myrcianthes fragrans is used in the horticultural industry for its distinctive bark and showy fruits as a medium sized tree.