Iron wood tree
Memecylon umbellatum

Family: Melastomataceae

What it is like

A medium sized tree. The leaves are small and sword shaped. They are bright green. The flowers are in flattened heads. They are in clusters along the stem. The flowers are small and bright blue. The pulp of the fruit is bluish-black. The fruit is a small round berry.

Also put in the family Memecylaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in tropical places in Asia. It grows at lower elevations in southern Assam.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Cambodia, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten. The seeds are ripe fruit are eaten.

The seeds of the ripe fruit are eaten especially by children.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Alli, Anjani, Archetti, Bon phukti, Byin-gale, Delek ayer, Delek bangas, Delek puteh, Harchari lakhonde, Kanalei, Kannavu, Kashavu, Kaya, Kikkalli, Korakaha, Kuku baning, Kurpa, Lali dimabo, Lali-dimabophang, Lee-kokee, Limba, Medang nasi-nasi, Mueat ae, Nirassa bonohorono, Phlong chu, Plawng dam, Thabye-on, Theihadum, Uddalalli

Synonyms

Memecylon edule Roxb.; Memecylon tinctorium Koenig;