Large-leaved embelia
Embelia subcoriacea
Family: Primulaceae
What it is like
A straggling shrub or small tree. It can be a climber. It grows 3-5 m high. The leaves are narrowly oval. They are 8-15 cm long by 4-6 cm wide. They taper to the tip and the base is wedge shaped. The flowers are of one sex and small. They are 3 mm long. They are in groups 3-5 cm long in the axils of leaves. The fruit are red and round but flattened. They are 1 cm across.
There are about 140 Embelia species. Also put in the family Myrsinaceae.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in Yunnan in China between 1,400-2,300 m altitude.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Laos, Myanmar, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam
How it is used for food
The fruit are sweet-sour and eaten fresh with added sugar. They are also used to impart a sour taste. The leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.
Edible parts
Leaves, fruit
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Alqyulhav, Jermi-masi, Ob-ab, Poimuri tenga, Re dai, Tling, Trimeng, Trimong ruibe