Premna herbacea

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A small herb or shrub. It keeps growing from year to year. It has a woody rootstock. It has soft shoots that grow 5-20 cm high. The leaves die back in the winter. The leaves do not have leaf stalks. The leaves are often in rings near the ground. They are broadly oval and have teeth along the edge. The flowers are white and green. They are in groups at the ends of branches. The fruit is round and fleshy. It is small and black and shiny.

Also put in the family Verbenaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows on clays and scree slopes and rocky outcrops.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Laos, Myanmar, Northeastern India, SE Asia

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten. The young leaves and shoot are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Adavinelli koora, Baman hati, Bharangamula, Bharangi, Bhui jam, Bol-sal-thanuri, Bolsalthanuri, Buma samba, Gandu bharangi, Ghanta nharan kura, Hora chalu, Kada-met, Keradapini, Khera daphni, Machgaldeb, Mathigathan, Mati-pharuwa, Matia jam, Matiphesa, Nai thega, Neala neareadu, Ote atil ba, Phin jamun, Siru tekku

Synonyms

Gumira herbacea (Roxb.) Kuntze; Pygmaeopremna herbacea (Roxb.) Moldenke; and others