False thorn-randa
Meyna spinosa

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A straggling thorny shrub. It can grow 5 m tall. The leaves are opposite. The stems are covered with long spines. The flowers are pale white. The fruit is a flattened berry. It grows 2 cm across. It is yellow. The fruit are in groups along the branches.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows on open ground often near water.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Thailand

How it is used for food

The young leaves are eaten as salads. The ripe fruit are eaten fresh or dried. The ripe dried fruit are eaten with salts.

Leaves are sold in markets. The fruit are commonly eaten in Pune, India.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

In Manipur in India the fruit are available February to August.

Its other names

Local names

Aliv, Alu, Duri timun tahil, Haibi mana, Heibi, Kotkora, Maina, Mainakata, Mainphal, Mamagua, Moina kata, Mongota, Monkanta, Mon phang, Monphol, Mwina, Se-magyi, Soh-mon, Thieskine

Synonyms

Pyrostria spinosa (Roxb. ex Link) Miq.; Vangueria miqueliana Kurz; Vangueria pyrostria Boerl.; Vangueria spinosa (Roxb ex Link) Roxb.; Vangueria stellata Blanco; and others