Ardisia helferiana

Family: Primulaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 1-3 m tall. It can lie along the ground. The leaves are dark green above. The leaves are grouped at the top of the stem. The flowers are yellow speckled with purple.

There are about 250-300 Ardisia species. They are mainly in the tropics. Also put in the family Myrsinaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows along streams in mid elevation evergreen forest.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andaman Islands, Asia, Cambodia, India, Indochina, Laos, Myanmar, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten. The young leaves are eaten fresh or lightly boiled.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

In NE Thailand fruit are available March to June.

Its other names

Local names

Chhnok thma ba't, Chhon pou prey, Comnguoi helfer

Synonyms

Ardisia albiflora Pit.; and others