Meyna laxiflora

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A small evergreen tree. It grows up to 10 m high. The trunk is almost smooth. The bark is dark brown with straight spines. The leaves are opposite and oval. They are 5-13 cm long by 2-7 cm wide. There are shiny with 6-9 pairs of side veins. The small leafy structures at the base of the leaf are triangular. The flowers are greenish-white. They are hairy inside. They occur in a flat topped cluster. The fruit are yellow and round. They are 4-5 cm across. They are edible.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. They occur in plains and low hills in deciduous forests in India.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, India

How it is used for food

The fruit are sweet. The young leaves and fruit are used as a vegetable.

Famine food

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Alu, Atu, Boibindi, Burgeli, Cegagadda, Gobergally, Gundkare, Halawni, Helu, Huloo, Katai, Ketkora, Mainakanta, Mainphal, Manakkarai, Moltakanta, Mon, Monphal, Muduna, Mullakare, Muyna, Pundrika, Veliki, Visikilamu

Synonyms

Vangueria spinosa Roxb.;