Microcos paniculata

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It can grow to 20 m high. The crown is dense and cylinder shaped. The trunk is slightly fluted. The leaves are 12-20 cm long by 6-8 cm wide. They are oblong but taper slightly to the tip. There can be shallow irregular teeth towards the tip. The flowers are bright yellow and about 1 cm across. They are in branched clusters at the ends of twigs. These are 3-10 cm long. The fruit are up to 1.5 cm across. They are dark green and turn black when ripe. They have one large stone.

They have also been put in the families Tiliaceae and Sparrmanniaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in Yunnan in China below 1,000 m above sea level. It grows in monsoon forest and secondary forest. In XTBG Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw.

The fruit are eaten especially by children. They are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

The plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Asar, Bung lai, Guomaihong, Heitup, Jabo, Ka phla, Khom, Kom preow, Laai, Myat-ya, Mya-yar, Myin-kahpan, Ye-mya-yar, Pesondi, Pichandi, Pichla, Pichunti, Pisundi, Tarah

Synonyms

Grewia glabra Jack; Grewia microcos Linn.; Grewia ulmifolia Roxb.;