Canthium rheedei

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 5 m tall. It has long spines. It can be creeping. The leaves are narrowly oval and 2-4 cm long by 1-3 cm wide. The flowers are in groups in the axils of leaves. They are green. The fruit are round and orange. It is 7 mm across.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in evergreen forests. It grows above 1,200 m above sea level. It occurs in the Western Ghats in India.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, India, Sri Lanka

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are used as a hedge.

In southern India fruit are available January to May.

Its other names

Local names

Bella hannu, Bella parnd, Bilpatre hannu, Malankara

Synonyms

Canthium amarum Oken; Canthium rheedei var. minus Thwaites; Plectronia rheedei (DC.) Bedd.;