Aila, Gale
Canthium parvifolium

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A thorny shrub. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows 7 m high. The leaves are 5.5 cm long by 3 cm wide. The flowers are in groups of 2-8. The fruit are yellow-green. They turn brown after ripening.

There are about 200 Canthium species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Yunnan in China it grows between 600-1500 m altitude. It grows in secondary forest. In XTBG Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, India, Indochina, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Thailand

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. The leaves are eaten in curries.

Leaves are sold in local markets. The fruit are especially eaten by children.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bol-thing, Kare hannu, Malukkaarai, Periyakeerai

Synonyms

Plectronia parvifolia (Roxb.) Benth. & Hook.f. ex Kurz; Plectronia parvifolia (Roxb.) K. Schum.; Webera adunca Hunter ex Ridl.;