Sauropus villosus

Family: Phyllanthaceae

What it is like

A woody herb or shrub. It grows 2 m tall. The stem is 2 cm across. The branches can be long and light green. The leaves are smaller near the base. They are oval and 1-7 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. The fruit are oval and flattened and 8-11 mm long by 4-6 mm wide. They are yellow to orange.

They have also been put in the family Euphorbiaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows from sea level to 600 m above sea level. It can be on sandy soils and also on limestone.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The young sprouts, leaves and bulbils are used as a spice or flavouring.

Edible parts

Sprouts, leaves, bulbil, flavouring

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bebaho, Lanitaga, Ngap yai, Tan ngan khao

Synonyms

Diasperus llanosii (Mull.Arg.) Kuntze; Glochidion llanosii Mull.Arg.; Kirganelia villosa (Mull.Arg.) Mull.Arg.; Phyllanthus llanosii (Mull.Arg.) Mull.Arg.; Phyllanthus pubescens Klotzsch; Sauropus llanosii (Mull.Arg.) Gage;