Poikilospermum suaveolens

Family: Urticaceae

What it is like

A vine like shrub or climber. A stout woody plant which grows on other plants. It keeps its leaves throughout the year. The main stem is brown and there are several aerial roots. The leaves are simple. The leaves are alternate and narrowly oval. They are leathery. They are 10-35 cm long by 7-23 cm wide. The leaf base is wedge or heart shaped and it tapers to the tip. The flowers contain both sexes and have a scent. They are in dense round heads in the axils of the leaves. The fruit has one seed.

It is used in medicine. Other lists have it in the Moraceae and the Cecropiaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in moist places in forests and near streams between 500-600 m above sea level. In northeastern India it grows up to 1,200 m above sea level. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Northeastern India, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The young leafy tops are eaten in salads and also boiled. The leaves and young shoots are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. The stem yields a quantity of water.

Edible parts

Leaves, vine for water

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Agig reibe, Airai, Akar setawan, Anopol, Anukol, Areuy kakejoan, Besto, Centawan, Charai, Dudiblok, Gabong lota, Hanopol, Khaman, Khuang-khau, Khung-khai, Kyagyaw-nwe, Lata dimoru, Mentawan, Ogi'g I ri'bi', Riep, Sarsarapa

Synonyms

Conocephalus suaveolens Blume; Poikilospermum sinense (C. H. Wright) Merr.; Procris violacea Blanco; and several others