Mao er shi
Decaisnea insignis

Family: Lardizabalaceae

What it is like

An erect shrub. It can be 4-5 m high. The branches are robust and break easily. The leaf stalk is 10-20 cm long. The leaf blade is compound with leaflets along the stalk. The leaves are 30-80 cm long with 13-25 leaflets. These are oval and 6-14 cm long by 3-7 cm wide. The flowers are separately male and female. The fruit ripen to bluish-black and hang down. They are 5-10 cm long by 2 cm wide. The seeds are brown or black. They are about 1 cm long.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in China in mixed forests on mountain slopes and wet areas between 900-3,600 m altitude. It needs a protected sunny position. It is resistant to frost but sensitive to drought. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas (country/location of origin), India, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Tibet

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from fresh seeds.

In China plants flower in April to June and fruit July to August. In Sikkim fruit are available in October.

Its other names

Local names

Bherasingh, Looduma, Lukchurhauzo, Nomorchi, Ri lei, Xianli

Synonyms

Slackia insignis Griff.; Decaisnea fargesii Franchet;