Hangehange
Geniostoma rupestre

Family: Loganiaceae

What it is like

A smooth shrub up to 3-8 m tall. The branches are very brittle and break easily. The leaves are opposite and oblong with a sharpened base. They are 10-12 cm long and 5-6 cm wide. The leaves are dark green and shiny. The leaf stalk is less than 1 cm long. The flowers are very small, white and in small branching clusters. There are 2-6 flowers per cluster. The fruit is oval and pointed. It is 5-8 mm long. Fruit are blackish. The plant varies a lot and has been split into several species by some authors.

There are about 24-60 Geniostoma species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. They grow near the seaside. They occur in several Pacific Islands. Plants require a protected position in well drained soil. They grow up to about 300 m. in Taiwan. In Samoa it grows from sea level to 1600 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

American Samoa, Australia, Asia, China, Fiji, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Pacific, Philippines, Rotuma, Samoa, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, Taiwan, Tonga, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna

How it is used for food

Young shoots are eaten cooked in some areas. They turned black when cooked. CAUTION: Many Loganiaceae are very poisonous.

The young leaves are eaten in the Makira hills in the Solomon Islands.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds, leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed which should be sown fresh.

It flowers and fruit from August to December.

Its other names

Local names

Lau mafatifati, Mafusifusi, Mogasi, Ran guan hua, Taipoipoi, Tapoipo

Synonyms

Geniostoma australianum F. Muell.; Geniostoma kasyotense Kanehira & Sasaki; Geniostoma calcicola A.C. Smith; Geniostoma fleischmanii Rechinger; Geniostoma gracile Rechinger; Geniostoma insulare A.C.Smith & Stone; Geniostoma samoense Reinecke;