Mountain mustard blue, Scaly-tailed shrub
Urobotrya latisquama

Family: Opiliaceae

What it is like

An evergreen shrub or small tree. It grows 4-7 m high. The bark is rough and yellowish-brown. The leaves are narrowly oblong and 7-13 cm long by 3-5 cm wide. The leaves are smooth and without teeth. The flowers are yellow and have 4 parts. They are in long groups 10-20 cm long and grow from the trunk and large branches. They have bracts around them. The fruit is fleshy with a stone inside. It is oblong and 2 cm long by 1 cm across.

Where it is found

It grows in the mountains in southern China. It grows in shade along the edges of forests in valleys. It grows in limestone hills between 200-400 m above sea level. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, Indochina, Laos, Myanmar, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The flowers are eaten as a delicacy.

Edible parts

Flowers

How it is grown

In southern China plants flower April to May.

Its other names

Local names

Wei qiu mu

Synonyms

Lepionurus latisquamus Gagnepain;