23 - Canela-de-velho - Miconia albicans (Sw.) Triana (MYRTACEAE)

 

Shrub up to 2.5 m, heavily covered with white, brown or rusty hair. Leaves from 5 to 15 x 2.5 to 6 cm, with leather texture, long and oval, pointed, heavily covered with soft hair, with five characteristic parallel veins. Small flowers, arranged in the shape of a scorpion's tail, appear at the tip of branches, with rust-colored hair. Round fruits, jade green when ripe, with numerous seeds inside. It blooms and bears fruit all year round.

 

Distribution : From southern Mexico to Paraná, from the cerrado to the sandbank.

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Situation in São Paulo: Common on the edges of roads and highways, in the peripheral regions, as well as in vacant lots. More and more rare in the city.

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How to plant: The transplant of the seedling is done keeping the roots intact with the root ball, removing the older leaves to avoid dehydration. The pit must be large to accommodate very deep roots well.

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Uses: Potential as an ornamental because of its foliage, which contrasts the dark green color on one side and yellowish white on the other, in addition to the multicolored fruits, which also attract the fauna. Its tea is indicated for osteoarthritis.

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MARTINS, AB (COORD.) MELASTOMATACEAE IN: MARTINS, SE ET AL (EDS.) FLORA PHANEROGAMIC OF THE STATE OF SÃO PAULO. INSTITUTE OF BOTANICS, SÃO PAULO, VOL. 6, PP: 1-168, 2009