String banana vine
Uvaria purpurea
Family: Annonaceae
What it is like
This is a woody vine. It grows 10 m long. The twigs are red and hairy. The leaves are alternate, hairy and pointed at the tip while rounded at the base. They are 12 to 15 cm long. The flowers are large and red. The fruit are borne in clusters from a disk like structure. The fruit smell. They have light yellow flesh.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows on the edges of forests. They occur from Luxon to Palawan in the Philippines but are apparently rare.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Cambodia, China, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand
How it is used for food
The fruit are eaten raw. They are sweet. They can be used for preserves.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seeds.
Its other names
Local names
Akar pisang-pisang tandok, Banauak, Chek sampoch, Kalak,Klui mu sang, Medang sennah, Meroyan otak, Tali pisangan