About Myrcianthes pungens (O.Berg) D.Legrand
Myrcianthes pungens is a medium-sized tree that grows up to 10 meters high. It has a non-compact crown and many pubescent branches. Its leaves are alternate, petiolate, stiff, oval-oblong, obtuse and acuminate, measuring 4–7 cm long. Leaves are deep green on the upper surface and lighter green on the underside. The tree has light brown rough bark with abundant loose, detachable bark scales. The inner bark is whitish, and releases a mild aroma when cut. Its flowers are tiny, whitish, abundant and aromatic. It produces small, globose fruits 1 cm in diameter, which turn dark purple when mature. Fruits have sweet edible pulp and contain one large seed. In the Southern Hemisphere, this species blooms from September to October, and bears fruit from November to January. It occurs naturally in the Guaira, Caaguazú, and Cordillera departments of Paraguay. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in parks and gardens, and can be grown as a shrub to form colorful hedges. Crushed leaves release a resin that repels flies, so the leaves can be scattered on the ground in areas with large fly populations.
