Kukurdaino
Smilax ferox
Family: Smilacaceae
What it is like
A trailing shrub or vine. The branches are woody and have prickles. The leaves are stalked. The leaf stalk is 4-7 mm long and has wings. The leaves are 2.5-5 cm long by 0.6-2 cm wide. They are oval and taper to a sharp tip. They are leathery and the base is rounded or wedge shaped. The flowers are greenish. They are in a head. The fruit is a red berry. It is 8-10 mm across. It has 1 or 2 seeds.
There are about 300 Smilax species.
Where it is found
It is a subtropical plant. In Nepal it grows between 1100-2700 m altitude. It grows in forests and shrubby areas. In China it grows in southern provinces between 1000-2900 m altitude.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, SE Asia, Vietnam
How it is used for food
The young shoots and leaves are cooked as a vegetable. The ripe fruit are eaten fresh.
Edible parts
Leaves, fruit
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed.
Its other names
Local names
Chang tuo ba qia