Cleistanthus sumatranus

Family: Phyllanthaceae

What it is like

A shrub or tree. It grows 20 m tall. The leaves are leathery and egg-shaped and green above and pale green underneath. They are 2-10 cm long by 1-4 cm wide. The flowers are in clusters of up to 7 in the axils or on the branches. The fruit are purplish-red and 1 cm across. There can be up to 2 brown seeds in each section of the fruit.

There are about 100-140 Cleistanthus species. It has also been put in the family Euphorbiaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows up to 775 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, SE Asia, Singapore

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Cleistanthus heterophyllus Hook.f.;