Stinging tree
Oreocnide rubescens

Family: Urticaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It has a crooked trunk and many branches. It grows 3-15 m tall. The leaves are alternate. They are narrowly oval and wedge shaped at the base. It tapers to the tip. There are teeth along the edge. The flowering shoots are in the axils of leaves or where leaves have fallen. The flowers are in balls and small. They are green or yellow. The fruit is white and juicy.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Indonesia it grows from sea level to 1,700 m above sea level. It grows in forests and shady locations. It grows in Yunnan in China.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The young leaves and shoots are eaten raw or steamed. The stems are boiled and then eaten with chilli sauce.

Edible parts

Leaves, stems

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Molesaten, Nangsi, Palanggungan, Pohon jelatang, Urang urangan

Synonyms

Oreocnide sylvatica (Blume) Miq.; Urtica rubescens Blume; Urtica sylvatica Blume; Villebrunea integrifolia var. sylvatica (Blume) Hook.f.; Villebrunea rubescens (Blume) Blume; Villebrunea sylvatica (Blume) Blume;