Helicia excelsa
Family: Proteaceae
What it is like
A shrub or small tree. It grows 6-20 m tall. The trunk can be 25 cm across. The bark is dark grey. The leaves are alternate and simple. The flowering stalks bear up to 3 reddish brown flowers. The fruit are bluish black. It is 3 cm long.
There are about 90 Helicia species mostly in SE Asia with some in N Australia.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in dense forests on plains up to 1500 m altitude.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, SE Asia, Thailand
How it is used for food
The fruit are eaten.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants can be grown by seeds.
Its other names
Local names
Kywe-da-nyin, Luet chum phnom, Machya, Medang obu, Membatu layang, Mata kaok, Mai kat, Pohon kayu masam, Pohon rambai