Sour-shoots vegetable
Ardisia solanacea

Family: Primulaceae

What it is like

A shrub about 2-6 m high. The small branches are angular. They are 5-7 mm across. The leaves have leaf stalks. These are 1-2 cm long. The leaves are 6.5-22 cm long by 2.9-9.5 cm wide. They are oval or oblong. There are about 20 side veins each side of the midrib. They are raised on both surfaces. The flowers are pink. They are leathery and about 1 cm long. The fruit are round and black when ripe. They are 7-9 mm across.

There are about 250-300 Ardisia species. They are mainly in the tropics. Also put in the family Myrsinaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in Nepal at 200-1000 m altitude in moist, shady places. In China it grows in mixed forests and shrubby areas on hillsides between 400-1600 m altitude. In XTBG Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andamans, Asia, Australia, Central America, China, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Panama, SE Asia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw. They are used for drinks. The young leafy shoots are parboiled, washed, drained and seasoned for eating in salads. The flowers are eaten as a vegetable.

It is a popular food. The ripe fruit are eaten by children.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit, flowers, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Aringudi, Bakle, Bisi, Bugdi, Chavvalakura, Comnguoi ca, Damai phal, Dikna, Garha gulainchi, Goyakpin, Hala lunde, Halad, Kholikafal, Kunti baha, Kyetma-ok, Kyetma-ok-po, Nyampen, Pa lei, Pa nei, Pri-prawn, Shadwe, Suan tai cai, Tinkoli, Wo qie wo bie, Yeshakema

Synonyms

Ardisia humilis auct. non Vahl.: Clarke; Ardisia elliptica auct. non Thunb.: Bedd.; Ardisia squamulosa;