Elliptic-leaved medang tree
Litsea elliptica

Family: Lauraceae

What it is like

A medium sized tree. It grows 10-30 m tall. The bark is smooth. The leaves are in spirals. The leaf blade is narrowly oval and 6-16 cm long by 3-7 cm wide.

It is an unresolved name in The Plant List. It has established anti-cancer properties.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in tropical rain forest between 50-600 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Singapore, Thailand

How it is used for food

The young leaves are eaten as a vegetable side dish and as flavouring in curries.

It is also a cultivated plant.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Pohon medang gogisoro, Pohon medang trawas, Thammang, Thammung

Synonyms

Litsea petiolata Hook.f.; Litsea odorifera Valeton; Malapoenna petiolata Kuntze; Tetranthera elliptica (Blume) Nees;