Myrcianthes rhopaloides

Native to the Andes from Venezuela and Colombia south to Bolivia, this shrub or tree grows in moist mountain forests. Its leaves release a guava-like scent when crushed. Small, fragrant flowers have four white or cream petals and numerous slender stamens. The edible fruits ripen to dark purple or blue-black and retain the calyx at their tips. In Colombia, it occurs at about 5,900 to 10,500 feet, and its wood is used for fence posts, tool handles and rural construction. Photographed in Bogotá, Colombia.