Leea asiatica

Family: Vitaceae

What it is like

An erect shrub. It grows to about 1 m high. The leaves have stalks. They are twice divided. The upper leaves have 5-7 leaflets. The leaflets are 7.5-20 cm long. They taper to the tip. They are oblong with teeth around the edge. The flowers are white with a yellow tinge. The fruit is a berry. It is green.

Also put in the family Leeaceae. Leeaceae occur in the tropics. There are about 70 Leea species.

Where it is found

A tropical and subtropical plant. In Nepal it grows between 400-1500 m altitude. It grows on open hillsides. In Yunnan in China it grows below 1300 m above sea level. It grows in secondary forest.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw. They are sweet. The fruit, leaves and roots are edible. The tubers are eaten as a vegetable. The flowers are cooked as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, tubers, roots, flowers

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Aliv, Banchalita, Deenda, Dinda, Domadojei, Dupu, Galena, Gangma-chhangoppa, Gharbanda, Goada, Hansiadhapar, Harva, Hatikanopotro, Holma, Kawa okhar, Kawaokhar, Kukura, Kumala, Kumali, Kumani, Kumoli, Kunwai, Kuram chirpali, Nalugu, Nanidhini, Nellu, Soh-phyrnou-nar, Soh-phyrnou

Synonyms

Leea aspera Edgeworth; Leea crispa L.; Leea edgeworthii Santapau; Leea herbacea Buch.-Ham.; Leea pinnata Andrews; Leea pumila Kurz; Phytolacca asiatica L.;