Chinese desmos
Desmos chinensis

Family: Annonaceae

What it is like

A climbing shrub. It grows 4 m tall. It has thick foliage. The leaves are broadly oval and 6-14 cm long by 2-7 cm wide. The flowers have a scent. The flowers have 6 way, hanging petals. They emerge green but turn yellow and then orange. The fruit are narrowly oval and with 2-6 joints.

There are about 25 Desmos species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in secondary forest. It grows up to 1,500 m above sea level. In XTBG Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten. The leaves are used in brewing liqueur.

Edible parts

Fruit, spice

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Akar kenanga, Akar pisang-pisang, Gie trung quoc, Kalak, Kenanga hutan, Kra o'm, Saao yut, Sayoot, Sinswe-pan, Tanat-sa

Synonyms

Unona discolor Vahl.; and several others