Gambir, Pale catechu
Uncaria gambir

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A woody climber. The young stems are square. The main stem has horizontal branches. The leaves are entire and oval. They are 6-15 cm long.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Indonesia it grows between 650-800 m above sea level. It needs continually wet conditions.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, SE Asia, Singapore, Vietnam, West Papua

How it is used for food

It is chewed with betel leaf, betel nut and lime. The leaves are boiled and evaporated and the remaining gambir is chewed with betel nut. The dried ripe fruit are chewed with betel quid.

It is cultivated as a medicine.

Edible parts

Leaves - masticatory, fruit - masticatory

How it is grown

It takes 12-18 months before first harvest. It can continue growing for 60 years.

Its other names

Local names

Akar kelait, Ankudukurra, Chaku, Chinai katha, Gambier, Gambir, Kachuk, Kath-kutha, Khayer, Sanakachu

Synonyms

Nauclea gambir Hunter; Ourouparia gambir (Hunter) Baill.; Uruparia gambir (Hunter) Kuntze;