Harchur
Agapetes serpens

Family: Ericaceae

What it is like

A shrub which grows attached to other plants. The branches droop downwards. They grow from a large woody tuber. It is about 1 m high. The stems are bristly and brown. The leaves have short stalks. Leaves are 0.8-2 cm long by 0.8-0.4 cm wide. They are oval and thick and the edges are curved. The flowers are red and like tubes. Each flower has 5 distinct angles and a pattern of V shaped bars of darker red. The fruit is a berry. It has five wings.

There are 80-90 Agapetes species. They are low shrubs. They are mostly in tropical Asia.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows between 1200-3000 m in Nepal in shady places. It suits hardiness zones 9-10.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bhutan, China (country/location of origin), Himalayas, India, Nepal, Northeastern India, Sikkim, Tibet

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten fresh. The flowers are used to make chutney and pickles.

Edible parts

Fruit, flowers

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds or cuttings of the branch.

Its other names

Local names

Ajene, Bandare khorsane, Harchur, Keembooten, Keembutan, Khursane, Khursani, Kimbutan, Phukup chyo

Synonyms

Pentapterygium serpens (Wight) Klotzsch; Thibaudia myrtifolia Griff.; Vaccinium serpens Wight;