Tutsan, Sanalotodo

Perennial shrub reaching up to 1.5 m in height. Typical of humid forests. Opposite leaves, oval, sessile and in a single plane. They can take an elegant bourdeax colour as winter approaches.The flowers have five wide sepals of unequal size and five yellow petals with many stems in sheafs. The fruit is a round berry that changes from green to red and finally to black as it matures. The common name tutsan appears to be a corruption of toute saine literally meaning all-healthy. This is probably in reference to its healing properties. The leaves were used applied to wounds, and as a stomachic.