Pak-pam
Eleutherococcus trifoliatus

Family: Araliaceae

What it is like

A shrub that lies over. It can be 2-4 m tall. There are a few prickles on the branches. The leaves are compound. The leaflets spread out like fingers on a hand. There are 3 leaflets that are broadly oval and 4-10 cm long by 3-6 cm wide. There are fine teeth along the edge. The fruit are flattened and round and 5 mm across. They are black when ripe.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In Thailand it grows between 1,100-1,400 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Japan, Myanmar, Philippines, SE Asia, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The young shoots are eaten as a side dish or cooked in curry. They are also used in stir fried dishes. The roots are cooked and eaten. The leaves are used as a vegetable.

It is sold in local markets in China.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable, roots, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Chobolaksinruibe, Cikuoluo, Ci wu jia, Habian, Ha bing, Jie dou, Kenkut, Ku ci, Shiah-ryngkhwari, Shi-soh-sat-khlaw, Wu jiao fu

Synonyms

Acanthopanax trifoliatus (L.) Voss; Acanthopanax trifoliatus (L.) Merr.; Aralia trifoliata (L.) Meyen; Zanthoxylum trifoliatum L.; and others