Rhamnus napalensis

Family: Rhamnaceae

What it is like

A shrub or scrambling vine. The twigs are reddish brown. The twigs zigzag from leaf to leaf. The leaves are simple and alternate or opposite. They are 3-13 cm long by 1-5 cm wide. The leaves have small hairs underneath. The flowers can be single or in groups. They are in the axils of leaves. The flowers are 3-4 mm across. There are 4-5 white or cream petals. These are 1 mm long. The fruit is fleshy and purple or black. It is 6-7 mm long. There are 2 or 3 seeds.

There are over 100 Rhamnus species. It is used in medicine.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in the rainforest. It grows between 450-900 m altitude in tropical Queensland. In Northeastern India it grows between 1,600-1,800 m above sea level. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Thailand, Tibet

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw or dry.

The fruit are especially eaten by children.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Archal, Biringa, Biringa schein, Biringguli, Chille kath, Da-gor-shing, Hagrani thaigangdi, Midoubri-doukha, Nok aling, Phatnok-kung, Thelu-rikang, Thingthal

Synonyms

Ceanothus napalensis Wall.; Rhamnus paniculiflorus C. K. Schneid.;