Khon ma
Breynia fruticosa

Family: Phyllanthaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows up to 3.5 m high. The leaves are oval and 3-8 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. The edges are often curved back. Male and female flowers are separate.

Also put in the family Euphorbiaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in sunny places on the edges of forests. In China it grows between 100-1,000 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, Indochina, Laos, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The young shoots are cooked and eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Hei mian shen

Synonyms

Andrachne fruticosa L.; Phyllanthus lucens Poir.; Melanthesa chinensis Blume; Phyllanthus turbinatus Sims; Melanthesopsis lucens (Poir.) Mull. Arg.; Melanthesopsis fruticosa (L.) Mull. Arg.;