Flueggea suffruticosa

Family: Phyllanthaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 1-3 m tall. It has many branches and the branches are angular when young. The flowers are in the axils of leaves. Male flowers are in clusters of 3-18. The fruit are 3 sided capsules 2-5 mm across. They are reddish-brown when ripe.

Also put in the family Euphorbiaceae. It contains the alkaloid securinine that stimulates the central nervous system. The leaves and flowers are used in medicine.

Where it is found

It grows in temperate places. In China it grows of the edges of forests between 500-2,500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Central Asia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Russia, Taiwan, Tajikistan

How it is used for food

CAUTION: The plant contains low levels of alkaloids which affect the nervous system.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Kwangdaessari

Synonyms

Flueggea flueggeoides (Mull.Arg.) G. L. Webster; Phyllanthus ramiflorus (Aiton) Pers.; Securinega suffruticosa (Pall.) Rehder; Securinega ramiflora Muell.-Arg.; and others