Rivina humilis is a species of flowering plant in the family Petiveriaceae. It was formerly placed in the pokeweed family, Phytolaccaceae.[1] It can be found in the southern United States, the Caribbean, Central America, and tropical South America. Common names include pigeonberry, rougeplant, baby peppers,[2] bloodberry, and coralito. The specific epithet means "dwarfish" or "lowly" in Latin, referring to the plant's short stature.[3]
Pigeonberry is an erect, vine-like[4] herb,[2] reaching a height of 0.4-.[4] The leaves of this evergreen perennial[5] are up to 15cm (06inches) long and 9cm (04inches) wide, with a petiole 1- in length. Flowers are on racemes 4- long with a peduncle 1- in length and pedicels 2- long. Sepals are 1.5- in length and white or green to pink or purplish.[4] The fruit is a glossy, bright red berry[3] 2.5- in diameter.[4]
Rivina humilis can be found in forests, thickets, shell middens, hammocks, roadsides, and disturbed areas at elevations from sea level to 1700m (5,600feet).[4] It requires less than partial sun and is tolerant of full shade. It is also tolerant of salt spray and saline soils.[5]
It is considered invasive in New Caledonia, where it was likely introduced in 1900.[6] It is considered a weed in Queensland, Australia where it has naturalised, and is also naturalised on Cocos Islands, Réunion, Norfolk Island, Fiji, Tonga, French Polynesia, Hawaii, India and the Galapagos Islands.[7]
Pigeonberry is cultivated as an ornamental in warm regions throughout the world[4] and is valued as a shade-tolerant groundcover.[8] It is also grown as a houseplant[9] and in greenhouses.[4]
The juice made from the berries was used as a dye and ink at one time. The berries contain a pigment known as rivianin or rivinianin,[3] which has the IUPAC name 5-O-β-D-Glucopyranoside, 3-sulfate, CAS number 58115-21-2, and molecular formula C24H26N2O16S.[10] It is very similar to betanin, the pigment found in beets.[3] The fruit also contains the betaxanthin humilixanthin.[11]
The juice of the berries have been tested in male rats and are reported to be safe to consume.[12]
R. humilis is a host plant for the caterpillars of Goodson's greenstreak (Cyanophrys goodsoni)[13]