Fig-lime
Streblus taxoides

Family: Moraceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 2-3 m tall. The small branches are curved. There are hairs on one side. There are spines 1-2 cm long. The leaves are oblong or sword shaped and 2-8 cm long by 1-4 cm wide. The flowering shoots are in the axils of leaves. Male flowers are in groups and female flowers occur singly. The fruit is round and 4-5 mm across.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in scrub and on sunny mountain slopes at low elevations. It grows up to 300 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

In southern China plants flower in April to May. In India fruit are available March to June.

Its other names

Local names

Jhumpuri, Merlimau, Phutkuli

Synonyms

Phyllochlamys taxoides (Roth) Koord; Trophis taxoides Roth;