Fauna
Plant

Pigeonberry

Rivina humilis

Also known as Rougeplant, Baby Peppers, Bloodberry, Coralito

Pigeonberry is an erect, shade-loving perennial herb recognizable by its delicate racemes of tiny pinkish-white flowers borne alongside glossy, translucent crimson berries. Thriving in the understory of hammocks, thickets, and shaded woodlands, it blooms and fruits almost continuously in warm climates. Songbirds readily feast on the vivid berries, dispersing seeds throughout subtropical forests and urban green spaces.

PerennialRed BerriesShade Tolerant
Pigeonberry reference1 / 7
(c) Meghan Cassidy, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Meghan Cassidy · cc-by-sa
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
  • White-tailed Deer
  • Caterpillars
ThreatsHabitat clearing and heavy competition from non-native weeds
HabitatsSubtropical forests, hammocks, thickets, shaded woodlands, urban green spaces
Life span5–10 years
Classification
  1. OrderCaryophyllales
  2. FamilyPhytolaccaceae
  3. GenusRivina
  4. SpeciesRivina humilis
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Plant parts are toxic if ingested, and wild berries have dangerous look-alikes; never consume.
Why it is dangerous
Contains saponins and alkaloids that cause gastrointestinal irritation, severe cramping, and diarrhea if swallowed.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognize by its low herbaceous growth, pinkish-white flower racemes, and bright translucent red berries.
What to do
Do not harvest or ingest any plant parts, and wash hands if exposed to broken stems or sap.
Responsible observation
  • Identification: Look for racemes displaying delicate white-pink blossoms and shiny red berries together.
  • Habitat Spotting: Search in deep shade under woodland canopies or along damp, sheltered thicket margins.
  • Observation: Watch from a respectful distance to observe birds feeding on the mature red berries.
Related species
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