Kipeit
Maesa latifolia

Family: Primulaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 2-5 m tall. The small branches are green or brown. The leaves are alternate and oval. The base is wedge shaped or round and tapers to an abrupt tip. The leaves are slightly wavy. They are 10-20 cm long and 5-12 cm wide.

There are about 200 Maesa species. They are mostly tropical. Also put in the family Myrsinaceae. They are also put in the family Maesaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It occurs in lower mountain regions in Java. It is in forests and along streams.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Indonesia, SE Asia

How it is used for food

The young leaves are eaten in small amounts in salads.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

It can be grown by cuttings of suckers. It can be used for hedges.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Baeobotrys latifolia Blume; Maesa mollis A. DC.; Maesa blumei G. Don.; Maesa pyrifolia Miq.;