Berchemia hirtella
Family: Rhamnaceae
What it is like
A shrub. It lies over. The branches are spreading. The leaves are grey to yellow underneath. The leaves are narrowly oval and 7-10 cm long by 4-6 cm wide. The flowers are in groups at the ends of side branches. The fruit is purple to red when mature. It is oval and 11-14 mm long by 5-6 mm wide. There is a persistent cup at the base.
Where it is found
It is a subtropical plant. It grows in forests and thickets in valleys between 400-1,500 m above sea level. It grows in Yunnan in China.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, China, Himalayas, Tibet
How it is used for food
The fruit are eaten fresh. The young leaves are used for making tea drinks.
Edible parts
Fruit, leaves - tea
How it is grown
In Yunnan fruit are harvested in August and September and leaves from April to June.
Its other names
Local names
Zhila