Holboellia latifolia
Family: Berberidaceae
What it is like
A trailing shrub. It is evergreen and climbing. It can grow 6 m high. The leaves have stalks. They are opposite and have leaflets arranged like fingers on a hand. They are 3-12.5 cm long by 0.8-6 cm wide. They are oblong and taper to the tip. They are leathery. The flowers have stalks. The flowers are white and have a scent. They occur along stalks with only a few flowers. The fruit is a berry which is red when ripe. It is oval or sausage shaped and 5-8 cm long.
Also put in the family Lardizabalaceae.
Where it is found
It is a subtropical plant. In Nepal it grows between 1500-2800 m altitude. In Sikkim it grows between 2,400-3,200 m above sea level. It grows in open as well as shady places. It needs a protected location and a wall to climb. The roots need to be in the shade but the plant fruits better growing into the sun. It can only tolerate brief frosts. It does best in organic-rich, most but well-drained slightly acid soils. In Sichuan and Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas (country/location of origin), India, Indochina, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sikkim, Tibet
How it is used for food
The ripe fruit are eaten fresh.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants are grown from fresh seed. Semi-ripe cuttings can be used. Hand pollination helps fruit set.
In NE India plants flower and fruit February to November.
Its other names
Local names
Bagul, Ba yue gua, Chou-dang-lie-si, Dombyem, Ghomphala, Ghopala, Golfa, Gophal, Gophla, Gopla, Gufla, Gulpha, Guphala, Ghuphalo, Kuolrik, Mi-rang-sa, Rho-ke, Sarem, Sa-tymbra, Shulumba, Soh-lygn-kait