Indian snowberry
Breynia vitis-idaea

Family: Phyllanthaceae

What it is like

A creeping shrub. It grows 3 m tall. The leaves are narrowly oval and 2-5 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. They are a frosty green underneath. Male and female flowers are separate. The flowers are small and green.

Also put in the family Euphorbiaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows on mountain slopes between 100-1,000 m above sea level in southern China. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The leave are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Jajan, Jhagangi, Matang-ulang, Miat kar, Muntrei, Pisangi

Synonyms

Breynia accrescens Hayata; Breynia rhamnoides Mull.Arg. [Ilegitimate]; and several others