Medusanthera laxiflora

Family: Stemonuraceae

What it is like

A shrub or tree up to 15 m tall. The branches spread almost horizontal. Leaves are oblong 12-21 cm long and 4-8 cm wide. Flowers are unisexual. Fruit is green and 1.5 cm x 0.8 cm with a fleshy pad on the flat side.

There are 4-5 Medusanthera species. Also put in the family Icacinaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is mostly an understorey tree in the rainforest. It occurs up to 900 m.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Solomon Islands

How it is used for food

The young leaves are cooked and eaten. (They are also reported as medicinal against malaria.)

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

It mostly grows wild, the fruit probably being distributed by cassowaries.

Its other names

Local names

Utaba

Synonyms

Cissus flexuosa Turcz.; Gomphandra laxiflora (Miers) Rolfe; Medusanthera papuana (Becc.) Howard; Medusanthera peekeli (Sleumer) Sleumer; Medusanthera coriifolia (Sleumer) Sleumer; Platea laxiflora Miers; and others