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Pigeonberry (genus Rivina humilis)
Observed on:
Apr 18, 2026 · 6:37 PM CDT
📍22.827, -80.333
The original observation created by me is published on iNaturalist: original observation
Field Notes
An observation was made in areas near a urbanization. It is a sunny and hot afternoon, with a temperature of ~22°C and 95% humidity. The observation is made of a plant that I identify as Rivina, known locally as Chichicate. The plant is about 50 cm tall, with small white and pink flowers, and red fruits.
The flowers are very small with four petals and grow in small clusters with several around the same stamen.
Counting the number of flowers per stamen on 5 stamens I obtained the results: 17, 18, 19, 18, 17 flowers per stamen.
From these flowers grow small red fruits, rich in liquid that burst under pressure releasing their content. Inside the fruits a small hard black seed. The fruits contain an intense red liquid that stains the skin for a few seconds. When ripe, the fruits detach easily from the plant.
The stems of the plant are woody and hard yet very pliable, yielding widely without breaking. The main trunk splits into two at ground level and these two into several small branches.
The leaves vary in size, soft to the touch. The upper side of the leaf is darker than the underside. The observed specimen has several yellow leaves.
Some measurements taken in the field with a ruler:
Leaves ~4-6 cm (leaves show visible size variations on the same branch)
Individual flowers ~3mm
Flower clusters ~5.6 cm
Individual fruits ~4mm
Fruit clusters ~4cm
The plant grows on dry ground.
The area where the plant is found is very close to humans, yet it grows wild, locally considered a weed. It is used to feed caged birds.
Summary of Rivina humilis – Source: Wikipedia
Main characteristics:
- Erect, vine-like herb, reaching 0.4–2 m in height.
- Leaves up to 15 cm long and 9 cm wide, with petiole 1–11 cm.
- Flowers on racemes 4–15 cm long, sepals white to pink or purplish.
- Fruit is a glossy, bright red berry 2.5–5 mm in diameter.
- Habitat: forests, thickets, roadsides, disturbed areas from sea level to 1,700 m. Tolerant of shade and saline soils.
- Considered invasive in New Caledonia and a weed in Queensland, Australia.
- Uses: ornamental, groundcover, houseplant; berry juice used as dye (contains rivianin similar to beet pigment).
- Ecology: host plant for Goodson's greenstreak (Cyanophrys goodsoni) caterpillars.
Taxonomic information:
- Family: Petiveriaceae (formerly Phytolaccaceae)
Selected species:
- Rivina humilis
🔗 Original link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rivina_humilis
I sincerely want to thank you for taking the time to read this article. Your support means a lot to me and motivates me to continue sharing content that can be useful and interesting for you. If you found this article helpful or enjoyed reading it, I would greatly appreciate your comments. Best wishes!
 | I’m Ernesto, a Cuban passionate about art and writing. Always learning, always growing. Excited to share and learn more every day! I write about art, drawing, video games, nature, and review the things I like. My goal is to inspire and connect with others through my creative journey. |
|---|
I apologize if there are any grammatical errors, English is not my native language, I have tried to be as careful as possible.
All assets, photos, illustrations and banners have been created by me and are original content, unless otherwise specified.
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Bajatripa (género Rivina humilis)
Observado el:
18 abr. 2026 · 18:37 CDT
📍22.827, -80.333
La observación original creada por mí se encuentra publicada en iNaturalist: observación original
Notas
De realiza una observación en zonas cercas a una urbanización. Es una tarde soleada y calurosa, con una temperatura de ~22°C y Humedad del 95%. La observación de realiza a una planta que identifico como Rivina, en esta zona de le conoce como Chichicate, la planta tiene aproximadamente unos 50 cm de alto, flores pequeñas y de color blanco y rosa, y frutos rojos.
Las flores son muy pequeñas de cuatro pétalos y las crecen en pequeños racimos con varias alrededor de un mismo estambre.
Contando la cantidad de flores por estambres en 5 estambres obtuve los resultados: 17, 18, 19, 18, 17 flores por estambres.
De estas flores crecen pequeños frutos rojos, ricos en líquido que explotan a la presión liberando su contenido. Dentro de los frutos una pequeña semilla negra dura. Los frutos contienen un líquido rojo intenso que mancha la piel por unos segundos. Los frutos al estar maduros de desprenden con facilidad de la planta.
Los tallos de la planta son leñosos y duros aunque muy maleable, cediendo ampliamente sin romperse. El tronco principal de divide en dos a razón del suelo y estos dos en varias y pequeñas ramas.
Las hojas son variadas en su tamaño, suaves al tacto. La parte superior de la hoja más oscura que la inferior. El ejemplar observado presenta varias hojas amarillas.
Algunas medidas tomadas en campo con regla:
Hojas ~4-6 cm (las hojas presentan variaciones visibles de tamaño en una misma rama)
Flores individuales ~3mm
Flores racimos ~ 5,6cm
Frutos individuales ~4mm
Frutos racimos ~4cm
La planta crece sobre un terreno seco.
La zona donde de encuentra la planta es muy cerca de humanos, aún así crece silvestre, de le considera localmente una mala hierva. De utiliza en la alimentación de aves en cautiverio.
Resumen de Rivina humilis – Fuente: Wikipedia
Características principales:
- Hierba erguida, parecida a una enredadera, que alcanza 0,4–2 m de altura.
- Hojas de hasta 15 cm de largo y 9 cm de ancho, con pecíolo de 1–11 cm.
- Flores en racimos de 4–15 cm de largo, sépalos blancos a rosados o purpúreos.
- Fruto es una baya roja brillante de 2,5–5 mm de diámetro.
- Hábitat: bosques, matorrales, bordes de carreteras, áreas perturbadas desde el nivel del mar hasta 1,700 m. Tolerante a la sombra y suelos salinos.
- Considerada invasora en Nueva Caledonia y maleza en Queensland, Australia.
- Usos: ornamental, cobertura del suelo, planta de interior; el jugo de las bayas se usaba como tinte (contiene rivianina similar al pigmento de la remolacha).
- Ecología: planta huésped de las orugas de Cyanophrys goodsoni.
Información taxonómica:
- Familia: Petiveriaceae (antes Phytolaccaceae)
Especies seleccionadas:
- Rivina humilis
🔗 Enlace original: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rivina_humilis
I sincerely want to thank you for taking the time to read this article. Your support means a lot to me and motivates me to continue sharing content that can be useful and interesting for you. If you found this article helpful or enjoyed reading it, I would greatly appreciate your comments. Best wishes!
| I’m Ernesto, a Cuban passionate about art and writing. Always learning, always growing. Excited to share and learn more every day! I write about art, drawing, video games, nature, and review the things I like. My goal is to inspire and connect with others through my creative journey. |
|---|
I apologize if there are any grammatical errors, English is not my native language, I have tried to be as careful as possible.
All assets, photos, illustrations and banners have been created by me and are original content, unless otherwise specified.
Banner made in Canva