Aporosa acuminata
Family: Phyllanthaceae
What it is like
A tree. It grows 5 m tall. The small branches are slender. The leaves are simple and alternate or in spirals. The leaves are 5-11 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. Male and female flowers are separate on the same plant. Male flowers are in 1.5 cm long spikes. The flowers are densely packed. The fruit is a capsule. It is round and red. There is one seed.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in the understorey in evergreen forests up to 900 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, India, Sri Lanka
How it is used for food
The aril or fleshy layer around the seeds in eaten.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
In southern India it flowers and fruits January to May.
Its other names
Local names
Neervetti, Nirvetti, Nirvittil, Vetti