Plukenetia corniculata

Family: Euphorbiaceae

What it is like

A slightly woody climber. The stems are twining. It has some hairs. The leaf stalks are 2-8 cm long. The leaves are oval or triangle shaped and 7-16 cm long by 4-11 cm wide. They are heart shaped at the base and there are fine teeth along the edge. The flowering shoots are narrow and 2-5 cm long at the ends of branches. The fruit is a capsule that has 4 lobes or wings.

Where it is found

A tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Northeastern India, Philippines, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand, Timor-Leste

How it is used for food

The leaves are eaten as a vegetable. They have a sweet taste and smell of elder. The mature seeds are eaten.

They are sold in markets. It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Akar pina-pina, Aroi tang-tang angin, Chumbai, Painapaina, Pepina, Pina-pina

Synonyms

Hederostylis corniculatus (Sm.) Hassk.; Pterococcus corniculatus (Sm.) Pax & K. Hoffm.; Pterococcus glaberrimus Hassk.; and others