Snowflake tree
Trevesia palmata

Family: Araliaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows to 3-9 m high. The branches are armed with short, sharp prickles which curve inwards. The young shoots have rusty hairs. The leaves are stalked. The leaves are 25-33 cm long. They are round and deeply divided like fingers on a hand. The lobes taper to the tip. There are teeth along the edge. Leaves are leathery. The flowers are in white heads which are flat topped. The fruit is fleshy. They are crowded together.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is native from India to S China. In Nepal plants grow to about 2500 m altitude. In Thailand they grow to 1,500 m altitude. In Borneo it grows between 600-2,000 m above sea level. It is often near streams and in wet places. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The flower buds are cooked as a vegetable. They are slightly bitter and eaten with hot spicy curry. The young fruit are eaten in chutney. The leaves and stems are used as a potherb.

The flowers are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Flower buds, fruit, shoots, leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. It can probably also be grown by hardwood cuttings. It can be pruned.

Its other names

Local names

Bhotala, Chena thong, Chinatong, Chuletro, Dagang, Dieng-soh-kynthur, Doak tang, Dong gong lu, Hpaw, Kawh-te-bel, Kawktebel, Kemtaudi, Kokterak, Kotebel, Loriya, Nbaudagang, Pa dan, Phutta, Pos lwm tsiab, Suntong, Taang luang, Tagor

Synonyms

Aralia dubia Spreng.; Brassaiopsis confluens Seem.; Brassaiopsis papayoides Hand.-Mazz.; Fatsia cavaleriei H. Lév.; Gastonia palmata Roxb.; Gilibertia palmata (Roxburgh ex Lindley) Candolle; Hedera ferruginea Wall. [Invalid]; Hedera palmata (Roxb. ex Lindl.) Wall.; Plerandra jatrophifolia Hance; Plerandropsis bonii R. Vig.; Trevesia cavaleriei (H. Lév.) Grushv. & Skvortsova; Trevesia longipedicellata Grushv. & Skvortsova; Trevesia longipedicellata var. palmatipartita Grushv. & Skvortsova; Trevesia palmata var. cheirantha C. B. Clarke, in Hook. f.; Trevesia palmata var. costata H. L. Li; Trevesia palmata var. incisa Boerl.; Trevesia palmata var. insignis C. B. Clarke in Hook. f.; Trevesia sanderi Danhart; Trevesia sphaerocarpa Grushv. & Skvortsova;