Common Names: Wild Guava, Clover Ash
Family: Melastomataceae
Habit: Tetrazygia bicolor grows as a shrub to small tree to 5 m in height. The leaves are arranged oppositely, to 20 cm in length, lanceolate, an acuminate leaf apex, and an entire margin and with 3 primary veins. The lateral veins are at a 90-degree angle to the primary veins.
The zygomorphic flowers are arranged in panicles. The calyx has 5 fused, green sepals forming a tube. The corolla has 5 white unfused petals. There are 8 stamens surrounding the carpel with the filament and anthers to the upper portion of the flower. The anthers are bright yellow. The ovary is inferior with 3 locules and numerous seeds. The fruit is a purple berry at maturity
Habitat: Tetrazygia bicolor grows in Dry Broadleaf Evergreen Formation – Forests/Shrubalnds (coppice/scrubland) and Pine Woodlands.
Distribution in Bahamas/Globally: Tetrazygia bicolor occurs on the northern pine islands of the Bahamian Archipelago as well as Florida and Cuba. It is now considered an invasive species in Hawaii.
Medicinal/Cultural/Economic usage: Tetrazygia bicolor is used in the Bahamas to treat colds and coughs as well as night sweats.