Elaeocarpus chinensis

Family: Elaeocarpaceae

What it is like

A small evergreen tree. It grows 3-7 m tall. The branches are softly hairy. The leaf blades are oval or sword shaped and 5-8 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. They are papery and hairy when young. The flowers are in groups in the axis of fallen leaves. The fruit are fleshy 1 cm long.

There are about 360 Elaeocarpus species mostly in the tropics.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. In southern China it grows in evergreen forests between 300-900 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, Indochina, SE Asia, Vietnam

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

In China plants flower May to June and fruit June to September.

Its other names

Local names

Com trungquoc, Hua du ying

Synonyms

Elaeocarpus decandrus Merr.; Elaeocarpus integripetalus Gagnep.; Friesia chinensis Gardner & Champ.;