Silky Myrtle
Decaspermum parviflorum

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A small tree or shrub. The small branches are very numerous. The leaves are pink in new growth and have a fine covering of silky hairs. They are shiny and become soft green. The leaves are opposite with a blunt point at the base and smooth when old. The flower arrangement is at the ends of branches or from upper leaf axils. The petals are white or pink. The fruit are flat and round and turn red when ripe.

There are about 30 Decaspermum species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. They are abundant in the Philippines in areas of shrub near the seacoast and to an altitude of 2000 m throughout the islands. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Cambodia, China, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Pacific, Malaysia, Micronesia, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Pacific, Palau, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand, Tibet, Tonga, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw.

The fruit are often eaten by children.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Plants are grown from fresh seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

A gong gong ni a bo, Lipet, Taung-thabye

Synonyms

Eugenia parviflora Lam.; Myrtus parviflora (Lam.) Spreng.; Nelitris parviflora (Lam.) Blume; Pyrus bodinieri H. Lev.;