Homonoia riparia
Family: Euphorbiaceae
What it is like
A small shrub up to 1-3 m high. The twigs are round and with small raised pores. The young tips are covered with soft downy hairs. The leaves are long very numerous and hang down. They are 5-10 cm long by 2-12 cm wide. The leaves are entire and with glands underneath. The flower spikes also hang down and are shorter than the leaves. The male flowers become hairless at maturity and the female flowers have large bracts which taper to a point. The fruit capsules are round, attached directly without a stalk, surrounded by bracts and burst open.
It is used in medicine.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. They are common in river beds throughout the Philippines. It is often in sandy conditions. In southern China it grows below 1,000 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Cambodia, China, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam
How it is used for food
The young leaf tips are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.
Edible parts
Leaves, vegetable, root
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Bersi, Eelnmq, Hilkadam, Holenage, Jamla, Kai nam, Kandagar, Katallari, Kattalari, Khauwaing-phang, Khola ruis, Kshudra-pashanabheda, Mai klai, Mangagos, Mempenai, Miebang, Mongthel-kung, Nirganagile, Pashanabhedaka, Sarni, Sherni, Siri-damanu, Siridhamani, Sundeh, Sunokoai, Surra, Takrai nam, Taninki, Tuipui-sahla, Tuipui-sul-hlah, Vangi kalloor-vanchi, Ye-chanya, Ye-kyin-yar, Ye-nay, Ye-tagyi