Mountain lagenaria, Hog fruit
Helicia nilagirica

Family: Proteaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 5-10 m tall. The small branches have a velvety covering. The leaves are broadly oval and 10-17 cm long by 5-9 cm wide. The base is wedge shaped. There are teeth along the edge. The flowers are yellow or white and in pairs on stalks 12-16 cm long. The fruit is round and flattened. They are 25-35 cm long and 4 cm across. They have a woody covering 4 mm thick.

There are about 90 Helicia species mostly in SE Asia with some in N Australia.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It is native to the eastern Himalayas region in China. It grows among trees in sunny hillsides between 1,100-2,100 m altitude. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The seeds are cooked and eaten.

The fruit are popular.

Edible parts

Fruit, flowers, seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bandre, Dieng-lin-gimrit, Dieng-soh-tyreit, Kharo pakan, Kong bai a bo, Zheyong kung, Zheyong-kung

Synonyms

Helicia cornifolia W.T. Wang; Helicia erratica Hook. f.; Helicia erratica var. sinica W.T. Wang; Helicia stricta Diels;