Asiatic sweetleaf, Sapphire berry, White sandalwood
Symplocos paniculata

Family: Symplocaceae

What it is like

A shrub which loses its leaves. It grows 4.5 m high and spreads 4.5 m wide. The leaves are oval and slightly hairy. The leaves are small and have very fine teeth. The flowers are white and have a scent. They occur in clusters. The fruit are round blue berries.

There are over 250 Symplocos species.

Where it is found

It grows in warm temperate zones. It grows in the Himalayas from 1,000 - 2,600 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 7-9. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Japan, Korea, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, North America, Pakistan, SE Asia, Taiwan, Tibet, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The small berries are used in jams, jellies and sauce.

It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds - oil

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Baitan, Dung chum-tutan, Lodhra, Ludh, Lodar, Lodh, Lodra, Dieng-iong, Sawa-futagi

Synonyms

Lodhra crataegioides Decne.; Myrtus chinensis Lour.; Symplocos crataegoides Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don; Symplocos chinensis (Lour.) Druce; Symplocos chinense (Lour.) Merrill; Symplocos pallida Franch. & Sav.; Palura chinensis; Palura odorata Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don;