Miconia dodecandra

Native from Mexico through Central America into South America and the Caribbean, this tree grows about 16 to 50 feet tall. It occurs in cloud forests, disturbed areas, and living fences around pastures. Branching flower clusters usually carry six-petalled flowers. The stamens change from yellow toward red with age, while the small fleshy fruits become purple when ripe. Its fruit feeds birds such as tanagers, thrushes, toucanets and guans in Costa Rica. It can be propagated from seed. Photographed in Colombia.