Split-leaf cyclanthus
Cyclanthus bipartitus

Family: Cyclanthaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows 2.5 m tall. The leaves are a long oval shape and 45-50 cm long by 30 cm wide. They taper to both ends. The edges are wavy. They are shiny green and silvery underneath. The leaf stalks can be 1 m long. The flowers are small and cream. The fruit is a flat capsule. They are yellow to brown and in a beehive form. The are many small black seeds.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in rainforests and up to 4,600 m above sea level. Cairns BG.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Andes, Asia, Australia, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Caribbean (country/location of origin), Central America (country/location of origin), Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Indonesia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, SE Asia, South America, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, Venezuela, Winward, Is.

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw or cooked. The plant is burnt and the ash used for vegetable salt.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves - salt

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from stem cuttings and division of the roots and shoots.

Its other names

Local names

Calzon panga, Chita papanku, Daun jahit, Daun senayan, Liaura panka, Na remedyu tape, Papanku papak, Pinta, Sainkaij im pih

Synonyms

Cyclanthus bifolius Perr.; Cyclanthus cristatus Klotzsch; Cyclanthus plumieri Poit.; Discanthus odoratus Spruce; and others