Jade-leaf gold-flower
Mussaenda pubescens

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A low shrub. The small branches have some soft hairs. The leaves are papery. They are oval and 9-15 cm long by 3-5 cm wide. The flowers are golden yellow and in groups at the ends of branches. The fruit are oval and 10-15 mm long by 6-11 mm wide. They are black when ripe. The seeds are very small.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in forests at low to medium altitudes throughout Taiwan. In southern China it grows between 100-900 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China (country/location of origin), Dominican Republic, Haiti, SE Asia, Taiwan (country/location of origin), Vietnam, West Indies

How it is used for food

The leaves are gathered and dried and then used fresh for a cooling tea or saved and used as a tea substitute.

It is sold in local markets in China.

Edible parts

Leaves - tea

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Xian gan teng

Synonyms

Mussaenda parviflora Matsum.; Mussaenda parviflora var. formosana Matsum.; Mussaenda taiwaniana Kanehira; Mussaenda taihokuensis Masam.;