Long-leaved water hemp, Wild rhea
Debregeasia longifolia

Family: Urticaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 1-3 m tall. The small branches are dark brown. The leaves are long and oval with teeth along the edge. They are 6-20 cm long by 1-4 cm wide. They are dark green above when mature and ashy soft hairs underneath. The male and female flowers are produced separately on the same plant. The flowers are whitish and in small heads. The fruit are yellow when ripe. They have many small embedded nutlets.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Nepal it grows from 500-2200 m altitude. It grows along river banks. In central and western China it grows to 1,400 m altitude. It suits shady moist places. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Philippines, SE Asia, Sikkim, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten fresh or raw. The leaves are boiled and eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by cuttings or seed.

In southern India plants flower and fruit December to April and in north India June to February.

Its other names

Local names

Bayo esing, Bol-tysim, Chyet-kyi-dauk, Daar, Dalah esing, Githi, Hka-numri, Jirepole, Kattunochi, Kowlousii, Ling-shi-ting, Lingsi, Madeilo, Mao ma qiang ga, Monili, Namey, Neerinch, Ngamey, Ngamoy, Put-chaw, Qia bu ren, Sansaru, Sifei, So-tyrsim, Tashiari, Tatamtanam, Tsunyu, Tusaray, Tusare, Tushaare, Tushar, Tushiari, Tushiyari, Tussara, Udu, Wild rhea, Yangyangpa, Ye-tha-kwa

Synonyms

Conocephalus niveus Wight; Debregeasia dichotoma (Blume) Weddell; Debregeasia libera Chien & C. J. Chen; Debregeasia velutina Gaud.-Beaup.; Morocarpus dichotomus (Blume) Blume; Morocarpus longifolius (N. L. Burman) Blume; Morocarpus velutinus Blume; Urtica angustata Blume; Urtica dichotoma Blume; Urtica longifolia Burm.f.;