Philippine tea, Fujien tea
Ehretia microphylla

Family: Boraginaceae

What it is like

An erect shrub with many branches. It can grow 1-10 m tall. The leaves have short leaf stalks and occur in clusters in the short branches. The leaves have a rough surface and are entire although somewhat toothed or lobed near the tip. The fused flower petals are white. The fruit are yellow, rounded and with a fleshy outer part, an inner stony part and four seeds.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. They are common and widely distributed in areas of shrubs throughout the Philippines. It grows well in hot, sunny positions. It will grow on limestone near the seaside. In XTBG Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China, Christmas Island, Hawaii, India, Indonesia, Japan, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Ryukyu, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, Taiwan, USA

How it is used for food

The leaves are used as a tea substitute. They are dried in the shade and used as a tea. The fruit are eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves - tea, fruit

How it is grown

It can be grown from seed. These germinate easily. It can also be grown from cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Bapanaburi, Barranki, Buri, Bute, Ennebutige, Fukien tea, Fuku-man-gi, Icha, Kalamoga, Kattuvettilai, Kinangan, Kujapponno, Kuruvingi, Pala, Perdu kalajengking,Piccaka, Pisniki, Pitta, Ponnomari, Scorpion bush

Synonyms

Carmona microphylla (Lamarck) G. Don; Carmona retusa (Vahl) Masam.; Ehretia buxifolia Roxb.; Ehretia coronmandeliana Retz. ex A. DC.; and others