Reynosia septentrionalis

Reynosia septentrionalis Urb.

Common Names: Darling Plum

Habit: Reynosia septentrionalis grows as a large shrub to medium size tree up to 10 m in height (usually shorter).  The trunk can be as wide as 20 cm with a red-brown bark that peels off.  The leaves are arranged oppositely and are up to 4 cm long with a small stipule at the base of the petiole. The leaf margin is entire and the apex is emarginate.

The incomplete, perfect, actinomorphic flowers are arranged in axillary or terminal umbels. The calyx has 5 unfused sepals that are yellowish green. There is no corolla. There are 5 stamens.  The fruit is a drupe up to two centimeters in size that turns dark purple at maturity.

Habitat: Reynosia septentrionalis occurs on both sand and limestone substrate Dry Broadleaf Evergreen Formations (coppice). It can be found in coastal and interior habitats

Distribution: Reynosia septentrionalis is found on all island groups within the Lucayan Archipelago as well as south Florida, and the northern Caribbean region

Medicinal/Cultural/Economic usage: Reynosia septentrionalis is used in soothing and strengthening teas and the fruit is edible with sweet tasting pulp.