Premna mollissima

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A tree. The crown is spreading. The young shoots are hairy. The young stem has spines. The leaves have an unpleasant smell. The leaves are oval and entire and wavy along the edge. They have soft hairs underneath. The flowers are greenish and in groups. The fruit are small and fleshy. The are round and black when ripe.

Also put in the family Verbenaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows near Mumbai and Chennai.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, Himalayas, India, Northeastern India, Sri Lanka

How it is used for food

The leaves and tender shoots are cooked and eaten as greens and in curries. The bark is eaten as a famine food.

Edible parts

Leaves, bark

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Agnium, An kalok, An-kelok, Bakar, Basota, Benkar, Bokar, Dandra sea, Erumai munai, Ganhila, Gian, Gineri, Gohara, Gonderi, Gondhona, Gunarh, Gunaru, Jhatela, Knappa, Maha midi, Nella do, Nelli, Pachumullai, Pedda-nella-kura, Phle-phle, Tumari

Synonyms

Gumira molissima (Roth) Kuntze; Premna latifolia Roxb.; Premna latifolia var. mucronata C.B.Clarke; Premna mucronata Roxb.; and others