Handerchief plant, White Mussaenda
Mussaenda frondosa

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A large climbing shrub. The stems are erect. It grows 3 m or more tall. The leaves are oblong and pointed. They are 15 cm long. They are downy underneath. The flowers are small and yellow. They occur in clusters at the ends of branches. They are trumpet shaped. The flowers have white sepals. The fruit is like a berry and is about 1 cm long. There are many seeds.

There are about 100 Mussaenda species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in tropical Asia. In Indonesia it grows from the coast up to 2,000 m above sea level. It is often on the edge of forests and near water. It needs regular moisture and fertile, sandy, humus-rich soil. The soil needs to be well-drained. It needs full sun. It occurs in the Western Ghats in India. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andaman Islands, Asia, Australia, Cambodia, China, East Africa, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Palau, SE Asia, Sikkim, Sri Lanka, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The enlarged flower sepals are eaten as a vegetable. The young leaves are eaten as a pot herb.

It is cultivated in gardens in India.

Edible parts

Leaves, flowers, root

How it is grown

It can be grown by seeds or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Arej kiwurungan, Asari, Balik adap, Bebina, Bedina, Bhurtkasi, Bhutkes, Billoothi, Chongkok mas, Daun putri, Golang galing, Hasthygida, Kalik adep, Kingkilaban, Kiwurungan, Lavasat, Mussenda, Nagballi, Parathole, Pathri, Sheetal pate, Talik adep, Thon-ban-hla, Tumberh, Vellaiyilai, Vellila, Vellimadandai, Walik adep, Ywet-hla

Synonyms

Gardenia frondosa (L.) Lam.; Mussaenda dovinia Buch.-Ham. Mussaenda flavescens Buch.-Ham.; and others