Seashore soapberry
Arytera littoralis

Family: Sapindaceae

What it is like

A shrub or tree. It grows 4-8 m high. It can be a tree 20 m high. The leaves have leaflets along the stalk. The leaves are 12-35 cm long and have 8-12 leaflets. These are sword shaped and 8-18 cm long by 3-8 cm wide. They taper to the tip and are rounded at the base. The flowers are yellowish-white. They have a scent. They are in groups 6-14 cm long and in the axils of leaves or at the ends of branches. The fruit is orange. They are 1-2 cm long by 5-10 mm wide. They have one seed.

There are about 25 Arytera species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows at low altitudes. It southern China it grows between 540-1,180 m altitude. In Malaysia it grows in lowland forests and up to 1,500 m above sea level. It is common near the beach in rainforests. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andamans, Asia, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Singapore, Solomon Islands

How it is used for food

The sour fruit are eaten. The young leafy shoots are used as a potherb.

The fruit are eaten especially by children.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed.

It flowers and fruits throughout the year.

Its other names

Local names

Ampungit, Anging, Bedara emping, Bei sanlek, Benitan, Goleng, Kayu tulang, Kelayu hitam, Ki lalayu, Krikil, Lamu, Mailu, Manuk, Nunuk-nunuk, Penjalinan, Petinag, Pohon kelayu hitam, Rambutan pachat, Sampiraja, Ta mo si song, Tampong kechil

Synonyms

Arytera angustifolia Radlk.; and others