Abrus fruticulosus

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.

The leaves are used as sweeteners.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andaman islands, Asia, Benin, Brazil, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Côte d'Ivoire, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, India, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mozambique, Philippines, SE Asia, South America, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Thailand, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are used to sweetener medicine.

It is available in Chinese stores in Australia.

Edible parts

Leaves, spice, flavouring, roots

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Akar kachang inai, Areuy si hayan, Cuomthao choi, Daun sambang, Saga areuy, Saga negri

Synonyms

Abrus acutifolius Blume ex Miq.; Abrus gracilis P. Lima; Abrus pulchellus var latifoliolata De Wild.; Abrus repens Tisser; and others