Ginggiyang
Leea aequata

Family: Vitaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. The small branches have ridges along them. They have rusty hairs. The leaves have 1 or 2 leaflets along the stalk. The leaf stalks have rusty hairs. The leaves are oval and 6-22 cm long by 3-7 cm wide. The fruit is 5-7 mm across and has 4-6 seeds.

Also put in the family Leeaceae. Leeaceae occur in the tropics. There are about 30-70 Leea species. It has an oil which stops the growth of bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in forests and shrublands between 200-1,100 m above sea level in S China.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andamans, Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

In China plants flower in April to May and fruit July to September.

Its other names

Local names

Dieng-soh-phyrnu-iong, Ginggiyang, Girang, Jembali makan, Jing jawngla, Kakajangha, Kya-petthein, Lea girang, Lengki, Naga-mauk, Surapadi, Velanasandi

Synonyms

Leea hirta Roxb. ex Hornem.;