Milkberry (Chiococca alba, Rep. (Annual) Missouri Bot. Gard. 4: 94 (1893))

Family: Rubiaceae

Author: (L.) Hitchc.

Bibliography: Rep. (Annual) Missouri Bot. Gard. 4: 94 (1893)

Year: 1893

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Chiococca

Vegetable: False

Observations: Trop. & Subtrop. America

Description

Milkberry, scientifically known as Chiococca alba, is a fascinating plant native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. It is a member of the Rubiaceae family, which comprises a wide range of flowering plants.

This ornamental shrub is notable for its delicate white flowers and small, round fruits that resemble milk droplets, hence the common name “Milkberry.” The plant’s aesthetic appeal is complemented by its robust growth habit, making it a popular choice in gardens and landscapes across its native range.

Botanically classified and first documented in the scientific literature in 1893 by the Missouri Botanical Garden’s annual report, this plant has a well-established place in botanical studies. The authority for its classification is attributed to the renowned botanist Hitchc.

Milkberry thrives in warm climates and can often be found in a variety of habitats ranging from coastal areas to forest margins. It adapts well to different soil types, though it prefers well-drained soils with moderate moisture. The plant’s resilience and ease of maintenance make it a versatile addition to garden collections.

One of the distinctive features of Chiococca alba is its ability to bloom and bear fruit throughout the year, provided the conditions are favorable. The small, tubular flowers are typically white and fragrant, attracting a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies. Following the flowering phase, the plant produces its characteristic milk-like berries, which stand out against the green foliage.

In addition to its ornamental value, Milkberry has been studied for its potential medicinal properties. Traditional uses of the plant include treatments for digestive issues and skin ailments, although contemporary scientific research continues to explore its full range of benefits.

Overall, Chiococca alba represents a blend of beauty and biological interest, making it an intriguing subject for both horticulturists and botanists alike. Its presence in tropical and subtropical America underscores the ecological diversity of this region and highlights the numerous plant species that thrive within it.

Common Names

Eng: david’s milkberry, david’s-root, davisroot, west indian milkberry, west indian snowberry, milkberry, snowberry, amadesiac, bermuda snowberry, buck root, buckroot, buckroot amadesiac, kakanga root
Spa: bejuco de berac, buenda, canica, perlilla, ti branda
Fra: jasmin-bois, liane des sorciers
En: Milkberry, West Indian snowberry, David’s milkberry, David’s-root, Davisroot, Snowberry, West Indian milkberry, Amadesiac, Bermuda snowberry, Buck Root, Buckroot, Buckroot Amadesiac, Kakanga Root
Fr: Liane des sorciers, Jasmin-bois
Es: Canica, Perlilla, Bejuco de berac, Ti branda, Buenda
: West indian milkberry

Synonyms

• Lonicera alba (L.)
• Chiococca anguifuga (Mart.)
• Periclymenum racemosum (Mill.)
• Chiococca trisperma (Hook.f.)
• Chiococca brachiata var. subrhombea (Müll.Arg.)
• Chiococca latifolia (Raf.)
• Chiococca brachiata var. conjungens (Müll.Arg.)
• Chiococca brachiata var. valida (Müll.Arg.)
• Chiococca parvifolia (Wullschl. ex Griseb.)
• Chiococca brachiata var. acutifolia (Müll.Arg.)
• Chiococca bermudiana (S.Br.)
• Chiococca racemosa var. cubensis ((DC.) Müll.Arg.)
• Chiococca racemosa var. jacquiniana (Griseb.)
• Chiococca brachiata var. densifolia ((Mart.) Müll.Arg.)
• Chiococca pubescens var. peninsularis (Wiggins)
• Chiococca racemosa var. scandens (Pers.)
• Chiococca alba f. pilosa (Steyerm.)
• Chiococca parviflora (R.O.Williams & Cheesman)
• Chiococca alba var. micrantha ((J.R.Johnst.) Steyerm.)
• Chiococca brachiata var. intercedens (Müll.Arg.)
• Chiococca micrantha (J.R.Johnst.)
• Chiococca brachiata var. genuina (Müll.Arg.)
• Chiococca brachiata var. petiolaris (Müll.Arg.)
• Chiococca racemosa var. longifolia (DC.)
• Chiococca racemosa var. yucatana (Loes.)
• Chiococca brachiata var. lanceolata (Müll.Arg.)
• Chiococca trisperma var. angustifolia (Andersson)
• Chiococca brachiata var. tenuifolia (Müll.Arg.)
• Chiococca macrocarpa (M.Martens & Galeotti)
• Chiococca anguifuga var. trinitensis (DC. ex Griseb.)
• Chiococca brachiata var. biformis (Müll.Arg.)
• Chiococca anguifuga var. pubescens ((Humb. & Bonpl. ex Schult.) DC.)
• Chiococca petensis (Lundell)
• Chiococca alba subsp. parvifolia ((Wullschl. ex Griseb.) Steyerm.)
• Chiococca capitata (Wernham)
• Chiococca racemosa (L.)
• Chiococca brachiata var. acuminata (Müll.Arg.)
• Chiococca brachiata (Ruiz & Pav.)
• Chiococca densifolia var. cubensis (DC.)
• Chiococca pinetorum (Britton)
• Chiococca racemosa var. floridana (DC.)
• Chiococca densifolia (Mart.)
• Chiococca floridana ((DC.) Raf.)
• Chiococca brachiata var. rigidula (Müll.Arg.)
• Chiococca brachiata var. grandifolia (Müll.Arg.)
• Chiococca brachiata var. diplomorpha (Müll.Arg.)
• Chiococca racemosa var. laxiflora (DC.)
• Chiococca brachiata var. microphylla (Müll.Arg.)
• Chiococca brachiata var. intermedia (Müll.Arg.)
• Chiococca alba var. parvifolia ((Wullschl. ex Griseb.) Urb.)

Distribution

• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Bahamas (native)
• Belize (native)
• Bermuda (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Cayman Is. (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Florida (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Galápagos (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Mexican Pacific Is. (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Netherlands Antilles (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Southwest Caribbean (native)
• Texas (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Turks-Caicos Is. (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Venezuelan Antilles (native)
• Windward Is. (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Germaine A. Parada (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Sep 24, 2009 by Renato Lima (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 24, 2009 by Renato Lima (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 2, 2021 by Solaine Marie-Louise (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Aug 12, 2022 by bridget marquez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 24, 2009 by Renato Lima (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 22, 2021 by Len Stafford (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 26, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Nov 16, 2015 by EOL − Chuck Sexton (cc-by-nc)

Taken Nov 16, 2015 by EOL − Chuck Sexton (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 6, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 24, 2009 by Renato Lima (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 7, 2021 by petit-louis CASIMIR (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 20, 2022 by Jasper Conner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 22, 2021 by Len Stafford (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Daniel H. Janzen (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 26, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Mar 6, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Mar 6, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Mar 6, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Aug 26, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2907406)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:56535-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Chiococca alba (L.) Hitchc.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Vine, Tree, Shrub

Growth