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West Indian milkberry

Scientific Name: Chiococca alba

Family: Rubiaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Vine, Tree, Shrub

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Chiococca alba: West Indian Milkberry

Chiococca alba, commonly known as West Indian milkberry, is a versatile plant found in various tropical and subtropical regions. It is appreciated for its evergreen foliage and adaptability, thriving as both a woody vine and a scrambling shrub.

Common Names

  • West Indian milkberry
  • Snowberry
  • David's Milkberry
  • Cahinca
  • West Indian Snowberry
  • Milkberry
  • David's-root
  • Davisroot
  • Pineland Snowberry
  • Espuela de gallo (Spanish)
  • Ti branda (Spanish)
  • Liane des sorciers (French)

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Chiococca alba (L.) Hitchc.
  • Family: Rubiaceae (Madder Family)
  • Synonyms:
    • Lonicera alba
    • Chiococca bermudiana
    • Chiococca racemosa S.Br.

Distribution and Habitat

West Indian milkberry is native to:

  • Monroe County Keys (north mostly along the coasts to Dixie and Duval counties)
  • Bermuda
  • West Indies
  • Texas
  • Mexico
  • Central America
  • South America
  • Galapagos

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Evergreen woody vine or scrambling shrub.
  • Can grow up to 6 meters (20 feet) in height.
  • May exhibit a vine-like growth habit, growing 2-10 feet tall.
  • Can develop in an erect manner and become a tree over time.
  • Perennial duration.

Quirky Facts

  • The specific epithet "alba" means "white" in Latin, referring to the plant's white berries.

Further Information

  • Flora of the West Indies Database (version 2007)
  • Discover Life
  • Project Noah
  • CDF Galapagos Species Checklists
  • Eastern Caribbean Online Database - The University of the West Indies, Barbados