Heliciopsis lobata

Family: Proteaceae

What it is like

A large evergreen tree. It grows 20-25 m high. The trunk is 60-100 cm across. The trunk is straight. The young branches and leaves have a brown covering. The leaf stalk is 4-8 cm long. The leaf blades occur in 2 forms. One are simple and oblong and 10-25 cm long by 5-7 cm across. They are leathery and wedge shaped at the base. There are also divided leaves which are 20-60 cm long by 20-40 cm wide. These have 2-8 pairs of lobes. The flower racemes are 7-12 cm long. Flowers are yellow. The fruit is oval and 7-9 cm long by 5-6 cm wide. They are greenish yellow.

There are 10 Heliciopsis species. They are in SE Asia and the Himalayas.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in tropical evergreen forests. It occurs in deep humid soil. It occurs below 800 m altitude. It is cultivated in S China.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, Indochina, SE Asia, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The fruit is eaten. The seeds are edible.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

It is a fast growing tree.

Its other names

Local names

Dung, Ma sua phan thuy, Tiao geng shu

Synonyms

Helicia lobata Merrill; Helicia caulifloroides W. T. Wang;