Bandicoot berry
Leea indica

Family: Vitaceae

What it is like

A slender shrub. It grows 1-3 m tall and spreads 0.3-1 m wide. The stems are pithy. The young growth is pale green. The leaves are 30-60 cm long. The leaves are compound. They have leaflets along the stalk. The leaves can be divided 2-3 times. The leaflets are 6-25 cm long by 2-5 cm wide. The leaflets are glossy and have teeth along the edge. The leaflets have distinctive veins. The flowers are in groups 10-20 cm across and with many branches. The flowers are 0.4 cm across and green or cream. The fruit are berries 0.5 cm long and black.

Also put in the family Leeaceae. Leeaceae occur in the tropics. There are about 70 Leea species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. Plants are sensitive to cold. It grows from sea level to 1,700 m above sea level. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, East Timor, Fiji, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Caledonia, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Polynesia, SE Asia, Sikkim, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten. The tender young leaves are used as a vegetable. The root is eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, root

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings. Plants can be cut back and will regrow.

In China plants flower April to July and fruit August to December.

Its other names

Local names

Andilu, Ankadosa, Bobotulasi, Butsu bubuuru, Demborang sagne, Dinda, Dino, Erattayani, Galhahariha, Girang, Idavasoppu, Jolok-jolok, Kalet, Karkani, Kawl-kar, Kayu tuwa, Ki tuwa, Kukurathengia, Kukur gibba, Kurkur-jihwa, Kurkurjiwah, Lea girang merah, Mali-mali, Maniperandi, Memali, Myekki, Naga-mauk, Nalava, Ottanali, Pait-chin, Silangkar, Soolangkar, Taung-baung, Tirah

Synonyms

Leea sambucina Willd.; Staphylea indica Burm.f.;