Chinese laurel, Bignay, Currant Tree, Buni
Antidesma bunius

Family: Phyllanthaceae

What it is like

A small bushy tree. It is often 3-6 m tall. It can be up to 15-30 metres high. The leaves tend to be long and narrow and shiny. They are dark green. They are pointed at the tip and more rounded at the base. The leaves are 10-15 cm long by 5-7 cm wide. The male and female flowers are separate, on separate trees. Female flowers producing fruit are on the ends of branches. A spike of dark reddish black berries is produced. The berries are about 1 cm across and have one seed inside. They hang in a large cluster. There are 20-50 in a cluster.

There are about 100-170 Antidesma species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It can probably grow up to 1000 m altitude in the tropics. In Indonesia it grows between 50-1,400 m above sea level. It can stand light frost. They can grow on a variety of soils. They are common and widely distributed in open places and secondary forest throughout the Philippines. It can tolerate salt. It suits the humid tropical lowlands. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In XTBG Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andamans, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Cambodia, China, Colombia, Cuba, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia (country/location of origin), Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Sikkim, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South America, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tibet, USA, Vietnam, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw when ripe or cooked. They are acid so are often better as jam, jellies and wine. Because the fruit is high in pectin it makes good jams and jellies. The young leaves are eaten raw or steamed with rice. They are used as a spice or flavouring. CAUTION The bark is poisonous.

It is a cultivated food plant. The fruit are sold in markets. This in only a minor edible fruit of lowland tropical areas. It is important in Indonesia and occasional in Papua New Guinea. The fruit are especially eaten by children.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, spice

How it is grown

It grows from seeds. These can be planted, but trees also grow naturally from seed. Trees can be produced by budding, grafting or from cuttings. Aerial layering can also be used. Spacing should be about 12 to 14 metres between trees. Some male trees need to be present for cross pollination. When female trees produce fruit without male trees, the seed from these fruit normally will not germinate.

Seedling trees fruit 4-5 years after planting. The fruiting season lasts a couple of months. In India plants flower and fruit April to August.

Its other names

Local names

Amati, Anepu, Ariyaporiyan, Banshial buka, Bashial buka, Bignai, Bol-aborak, Bor-heloch, Bugnay, Buneh, Dieng-soh-silli, Herbert River cherry, Himalchari, Himalcheri, Huni, Karanda, Kantjer, Karawala keballa, Karikoomma, Kinbalin, Kunchur-kung, Kywe-pyisin, Malung renu, Malunga, Nayikoote, Nolaiali, Noolitali, Pani heloch, Pohon buni, Salamander tree, Somkongasing, Sonkong esing, Wuni

Synonyms

Antidesma dallachyanum Baillon; Antidesma rumphii Tulasne; Stilago bunius L.; Antidesma collettii Craib.; Antidesma thorelianum Gagnep;