Akusepin
Cansjera leptostachya

Family: Opiliaceae

What it is like

A climbing tropical forest plant. It can be 6 m long. It can also be as an erect shrub. The branches hang downwards. The young twigs are hairy but these often become smooth. The leaves are oval and 4-9 cm long by 1.1-4 cm wide. The leaf stalk is 2-6 mm long and hairy. The midrib is easy to see underneath the leaf. The top of the leaf often comes to a small point and the base tapers. There are 1-4 flower spikes in each leaf axil. They are 2 cm long. The flowers are sweetly scented. The floral tube is green or yellow. The fruit is yellow to orange an oval. It is 1.5 cm long by 1 mm wide.

There are 3 Cansjera species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is in vine thickets. It is often climbing on the edge of forests. It grows from sea level up to 700 m altitude. It can grow on limestone rocks or sandy soil. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia (country/location of origin), East Timor, Indonesia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Timor-Leste

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten.

It is not known if it is used for food in Papua New Guinea.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

It flowers throughout the year.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Cansjera rheedii J. F. Gmel.; Cansjera scandens Roxb.; Cansjera timorensis Decne;