Black currant tree
Antidesma ghaesembilla

Family: Phyllanthaceae

What it is like

A stout and erect tree. It grows 3-8 m tall and spreads 2-4 m across. The trunk is covered with chalky yellowish brown bark. It is rough and mottled. The timber is light coloured and hard. The young branches and new leaves have woolly hairs. The tree loses its leaves during the dry season. The leaves are 3-7.5 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. They are broadly oval with a blunt tip. The leaves are thinly textured and shiny on the upper surface but paler underneath. The leaves are numerous. The flowers are numerous and densely clustered. Male and female flowers occur on separate trees. The male flower spikes are 2.5-5 cm long and the female flowers are on short thick stalks at the ends of branches. The individual flowers are very small and about 1-2 mm long. The fruit are small, oval and fleshy. They are 0.4-0.6 cm long and purple when ripe. The fruit are edible.

There are about 100-170 Antidesma species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. They are common at low and medium altitudes throughout the islands of the Philippines. It grows to 120 m altitude in Malaysia. In Australia they grow in the north in open vine forest. In Vietnam it grows along riverbanks.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, East Timor, Guyana, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, South America, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw when ripe. They are sour. They can be used for jam. The fruit are also used with meat and fish dishes. The leaves are used as acid flavouring in food.

It is not known if it is used for food in Papua New Guinea.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves as condiment, spice, leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.

Fruit are available September to December in Australia. In India plants flower and fruit March to February.

Its other names

Local names

Alimpunga, Anti, Amtua, Ande-ande, Andjurlukkumarlba, Arosep, Binayuyu, Byechin, Byisin, Chipli, Dangkep k'dam, Dempul, Dongkeabkdam, Elena, Gucheh, Gucil, Gunchek, Gunchiak, Heloch, Inyam, Jamula, Janjharli, Janupulisaru, Jhondri, Jondhurli, Kakapal, Kenyan, Khatua, Khudi jamb, Kinbalin, Kotia heloch, Kunchir, Mai-mao, Majjige hannu, Mao khai pla, Mata sure, Mikhan-tenga, Ntenren, Nuniare, Onyam, Pirliming, Pod-pod, Pullampurasigida, Pyisin, Sepat, Theng-merok-arong, Tubo-tubo, Umtao, Umtoa, Warranuwa, Yangu

Synonyms

Antidesma frutescens Jack;