Asiatic tarenna
Tarenna asiatica

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A large shrub or small tree. It grows 6 m tall. Young branches are angular. The leaves are simple and opposite. They overlap at the base. The leaf blades are 8-18 cm long by 4-8 cm wide. The edges of the leaves are entire and curled. The flowers are cream or yellow and in groups at the top of the plant. The fruit are round black berries. They are 6 mm across. They have 2 cells with seeds.

There are about 180-370 Tarenna species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in the tropics. It grows on the edges of forests above 1,600 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, India, Indochina, Laos, SE Asia

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bingi papadi, Dharani, Jhanjhauka, Kankra, Kare, Komi, Kommi, Konda papidi, Kottam, Kumngida, Kupi, Kuppipoovu, Patale, Pavattachedi, Pisin maram, Tharana, Tharani, Therani chedi

Synonyms

Canthium corymbosum (Willd.) Pers.; Chomelia asiatica (L.) O. Kuntze; Rondeletia asiatica L.; Webera corymbosa Willd.; and many others