Helicia obovatifolia
Family: Proteaceae
What it is like
An evergreen tree. It grows 20 m high. The trunk is 40 cm across. The leaves and flowers have a rusty coating. The leaves are oval and 7-28 cm long by 4-15 cm wide. They are leathery. The base is wedge shaped and there can be teeth along the edge. The fruit are oval and purple to black. They are 3-5 cm long by 2-4 cm wide.
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 tropical evergreen forests. It grows on hills below 1,000 m altitude. It grows on wet soil.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, China, Indochina, SE Asia, Vietnam
How it is used for food
The seeds are rich in starch. It can be used for food and for alcohol production. Caution: Alcohol is a cause of cancer.
Edible parts
Seeds
How it is grown
In southern China it flowers in June to October and fruit in October to December.
Its other names
Local names
Ma sua la trung nguoc