Ceylon boxwood
Psydrax dicoccos

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 15 m tall. The branches are compressed or 4 sided. The leaves are oval and 4-10 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. The flowers are greenish-white or pale yellow and funnel shaped. The fruit are oval and 8-10 mm across by 6-8 mm wide.

There are about 200 Canthium species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in evergreen and moist deciduous forest between 100-600 m in southern China. It can grow up to 1,900 m above sea level in more tropical places. It is often near streams. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andamans, Asia, Australia, China, Hainan, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Philippines, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tibet

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

In southern China it flowers January to August and fruits June to November. In India they are produced February to May.

Its other names

Local names

Arsul, Dalasinga, Garbhagoja, Hatteranike, Imburuttam, Kemejing, Kendal gamprit, Mertulang, Nakkiri, Nalla balasu, Neguni maram, Oppai, Pohon kemejing, Pohon kopen, Sippu, Techiek-king

Synonyms

Canthium dicoccum (Gaertn.) Merr.; Plectronia dicocca Burck.; Polyozus bipinnata Lour. Vangueria dicocca (Gaertn.) Miq.; and others