Lambonan
Actephila excelsa

Family: Phyllanthaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 1-4 m tall. The branches are angular and softly hairy. The leaves are alternate, The leaves are broadly sword shaped. They taper to the tip and are wedge shaped at the base. They are 8-20 cm long by 3-4 cm wide. They are paler underneath. The middle vein is raised on both surfaces. There are 9-12 pairs of side veins. The flowering shoots have several male flowers and one female flower. The fruit have 3 lobes. They are a flattened round shape and 2.5 cm across. The seeds are 3 angled and about 1 cm long.

Also put in the family Euphorbiaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In southern China it grows on limestone slopes between 100-1,500 m above sea level. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andamans, Asia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The mature seeds are roasted and eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves - drink, tea, seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Han mekphri, Mao xi guang hua, Mehphri

Synonyms

Anomospermum excelsum Dalzell; Actephila dolichantha Crozat;