Beach berry bush, Asian Colubrina
Colubrina asiatica
Family: Rhamnaceae
What it is like
A tall shrub 3-7 m high. It tends to climb. The branches are slender and flexible. They are often trailing. The leaves are alternate. The leaves are 5-8 cm long, by 2-3 cm wide. They are oval, and heart shaped at the base and taper to the tip. There are teeth along the edge of the leaf. The leaves are dark green and shiny, with 3 prominent veins. The flowers are in the axils of leaves, and dense. The flowers are 0.4 cm across and greenish. The fruit is 0.8 cm across, and furrowed and somewhat sunken at the top.
There are about 20-31 Colubrina species. They grow in the tropics. There are 20 species in tropical America.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It needs a sunny position and well drained soil. It is often found along the seashore.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, American Samoa, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Brunei, Cayman Islands, China, Chuuk, East Africa, East Timor, Fiji, FSM, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Maldives, Marquesas, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Niue, North America, Pacific, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Pohnpei, Rotuma, Samoa, SE Asia, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, USA, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna, West Indies, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The young leaves have been recorded as eaten. They are eaten with fish.
Edible parts
Leaves
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.
Its other names
Local names
Asiatic snakewood, Ewongup, Fisoa, Guti, Hoop withe, Kan-soeng, Kayu ular, Kyway-nwe, Mayirmanikkan, Peria laut, Peria pantai, Raarohi, Raaruhi, Sarunai kayu