Goetzea elegans

Not to be confused with the snakes of genus Lachesis also called matabuey.

Goetzea elegans
File:Goetzea elegans flower.jpg
Conservation status
File:Status iucn2.3 EN.svg Endangered  (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Solanales
Family:	Solanaceae
Genus:	Goetzea
Species:	G. elegans
Binomial name
Goetzea elegans Wydler

Goetzea elegans, also called beautiful goetzea, mata buey, or matabuey, is a species of plant in the Solanaceae or nightshade family of flowering plants. It is endemic to Puerto Rico. Today it is limited to the northwestern corner of the island because of deforestation and other consumption of its habitat for human use. It is federally listed as an endangered species in the United States. This is a shrub or a tree which can reach 9 metres (30 ft) in height. The leaves are shiny dark green and oval in shape. It bears yellow-orange, funnel-shaped flowers. The fruit is a yellow-orange berry up to 2.5 centimetres (0.98 in) long. It may be poisonous.

File:Goetzea elegans fruit.jpg

Goetzea elegans fruit.