tasselberry

Antidesma venosum, commonly known as the tassel-berry, is a species of small dioecious tree in the family Phyllanthaceae. It is native to Africa, China and Indochina.

Numerous small, sessile flowers are produced on drooping catkin-like spikes, which are about 10 cm long. The flowers produce an unpleasant smell, and the tree is in fruit for more than a month during late summer. Each small, oval-shaped fruit measures about 8 x 4 mm in size. They are initially fleshy green, and change to bright red and eventually purplish black as they ripen. The fruit are utilized by many species of animals.