False olive
Champereia manillana

Family: Opiliaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows 6-7 m tall. The branches are slender. The leaves are slightly leathery and narrowly oval. They are 3-10 cm long by 1-5 cm wide. They are often wavy along the edges. They are shiny. There are 4-8 pairs of side veins. The flowers are in the axils of leaves on branched stalks. Flowers can have both sexes or be female. The fruit is fleshy and rounded and is orange-red when ripe.

The Flora of China says there is only one Champereia species. Burkill says there are 2 or 3. There are 2 varieties.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows from sea level to 1,300 m above sea level. It occurs in Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andamans, Australia, Asia, China, Christmas Island, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Guinea, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The leaves, flowers and young fruit are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. The young leaves are also used in salads.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruits, flowers

How it is grown

In southern China flowers occur February to June and fruit from February to July.

Its other names

Local names

Apeng, Banitog, Cemperai, Mitha bhaji, Ngot rung, Pannalayapen

Synonyms

Cansjera manillana Bl.; Champereia cumingiana (Baill.) Merr.; Champereia gaudichaudiana (Baill.) Tiegh.; Champereia gnetocarpa Kurz; Champereia griffithiana Planch. ex Kurz; Champereia lanceolata Merr.; Champereia oblongifolia Merr.; Champereia platyphylla Merr.; Goventesia malulucban Llanos; Nallogia gaurichaudiana Baill.; Opilia cumingiana Baill.; Opilia manillana Baill.;