To the genus Urera
(Nettle family – Urticaceae) belong several dozen of lianas, shrubs or
small trees. They are often prickly (but not all) and creates flesh fruits
(achenes). They grows both in tropics of Old World (Africa) as
well as in Americas. They are rarely cultivated as ornamental or for their
sometimes edible fruits, and they are very hard to find. I grew only 2 species.
The species which I grew with success (and successful harvested fruits)
is Urera
cf. nitida (Urtigão, Cansanção,
Urtiga Brava, Urtiga Roxa, Urtiga-de-leite).I
am not sure of identification of it yet, because so far I was sure that it is
other species – Urera baccifera
(Chichicaste). The comment of Kimmo Vuokare showed me that it was probably mistake. I will be
sure in summer because now my plants are cutted off (and leafless).
It
is native to Brazil (an endemic which grows in semi-deciduous seasonal forests
and dense ombrophilous forests). It is a half-woody shrub with succulent thick
trunk and branches. It differs from U.
baccifera by its smaller size, narrower glossy leaves and monoecious
flowers. It grows only to about 1,5m (=5ft) tall (maximum to 3m = 10ft). It is
armed (whole plant including stems, leaves and inflorescences, except only
fruits) in small prickles which burn as common nettle (not more). It creates
inflorescences on upper part of trunk and thick branches. Flowers are
inconspicuous but later grow white or pink fruits which are edible (but not very sweet) and very ornamental. The leaves are said to be also edible. It is
so called “iron plant” – it survives drought, water-flooding, cutting, but
needs only a little of sunlight (especially in winter when there is
insufficient of sunlight) and frost free warm place. It can be easily
propagated by sowing (surface) seeds but probably not by cuttings (I tried
it unsuccessful).
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| The small seedling |
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| Mature plant |
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| Female and male flowers |
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| It is caulifloric shrub - creates its inflorescences on thick branches |
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| The plant in fruits |
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| The fruits are edible |
The second species
which I tried to grow is Urera caracassana (Flameberry). It is
shrub or small tree, native to South and Central America, with orange inedible,
but very ornamental, fruits and leaves which have not
prickles, but small burning hairs. I had no success with it. First it grew well
(from small seeds sown surface) but I tried to winter it in cool cellar and
this was a mistake – all plants died.
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| Young seedling of U. caracassana |
If
you have seeds of any other species (especially which are known to create
edible fruits) please write to me.
