cucubano de vieques
Guettarda odorata (Jacq.) Lam.
Guettarda odorata is a shrub or small tree with many lateral branches. The Flora of St. John describes plants about 1.5–4 m tall, commonly with a single main stem. Opposite branches cross at successive nodes, and young, finely hairy twigs become smoother as they age. Small lenticels mark the darker bark. World Flora Online: Guettarda odorata, Flora of St. John and Flora of Panama accounts
Botanical name
Guettarda odorata (Jacq.) Lam. is accepted in Rubiaceae. The supplied name matches Kew; Guettarda parviflora Vahl is treated as a synonym in current checklists. Kew Plants of the World Online: Guettarda odorata
Recognizing the plant
The relatively small leaf blades are elliptical to narrowly oval, with unbroken margins and slender stalks. Fine hairs are concentrated along the veins beneath. Small stipules occur between the paired leaves. Flowers are grouped in short clusters at the leaf axils. In the St. John description, the trumpet-shaped corolla has a pink-tinged tube and spreading pale-yellow lobes; the Panama account also records white or reddish flowers. Rounded fruits reach about 7 mm across and retain a small calyx cup at their tips. World Flora Online: Guettarda odorata, Flora of St. John and Flora of Panama accounts
Native range
Kew places the native range from Central America to Colombia and across the Caribbean. Colombian records are concentrated in the Caribbean lowlands, including Atlántico, Bolívar and Cesar. The species occurs in woodland and forest, with records also associated with savanna and native grassland. Kew Plants of the World Online: Guettarda odorata
Botanical sources
- Kew Plants of the World Online: Guettarda odorata
- World Flora Online: Guettarda odorata, Flora of St. John and Flora of Panama accounts
Reviewed 2026-10-11. Seasonal development varies with location and growing conditions.