Common jointfir
Gnetum montanum

Family: Gnetaceae

What it is like

A vine or climber that grows to more than 10 m tall. The small branches are circular in cross section with wrinkles along them. The leaf stalk is 0.8-1.5 cm long and the leaf blade usually oblong and 10-25 cm long by 4-11 cm wide. They are leathery with 8-13 side veins on each side. The base of the leaf is rounded and the tip pointed. The male flower stalk is a loose arrangement 2.5-6 cm long. The male spikes are 2-3 cm long by 2-3 mm wide. There are 13-18 collars and 45-60 flowers on each spike. The female flower arrangement have 3-4 pairs of branches. The female spikes are 2-3 cm long by 4 mm wide. The seeds are reddish brown and oval shaped. They are about 1.5 cm long and 0.9 cm wide.

The bark is useful for ropes. There are about 28 Gnetum species.

Where it is found

A subtropical plant. It grows in forests between 200-2700 m altitude. In Nepal it grows between 300-1800 m altitude. It grows in moist forests. In Yunnan in China it grows between 700-1500 m above sea level. It grows in monsoon forest and subtropical broadleaved evergreen forest.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The seeds yield an edible oil, are eaten fried, and are used for making wine; the sap is used as a cold drink. The seeds are eaten raw or boiled.

It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Seeds, nuts, sap, fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed.

In NE India plants flower and fruit February to December.

Its other names

Local names

Gam, Ge mai mei, Gyut-nwe, Hkit-langru, Ke mei, Khlout, Ku sa, Laigulaili, Mai ma teng, Mameilet, Ma maeai, Ma muai, Mei-lar-iong-um, Mei-lariong-um, Milemjang, Muai, Mulongmuhu, Pai li guo, Pipli, Quenglangxi, Sot nui, Thanlping-rhui, Wo ni ai xi

Synonyms

Gnetum montanum f. montanum;