Tai-wan-qing-teng, Binat
Illigera luzonensis

Family: Hernandiaceae

What it is like

A climbing shrub with alternate leaves with 3 leaflets. The stems are angular. The leaf stalks are 4-10 cm long. The leaflet stalks are 0.5-1.8 cm long. The leaf blade is oval and 3.5-12 cm long by 3-10 cm wide. Leaves are papery. The flowering stalks are 7-15 cm long. Fruit have 2 broad wings on the side and do not split open.

There are about 30 Illigera species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. They are common in areas of shrub at low and medium altitudes in the Philippines from northern Luzon to Palawan. In China they are in dense secondary forest from near sea level to 1,300 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, Japan, Ryuku, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Taiwan

How it is used for food

The leaves are cooked and eaten with fish.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Henschelia luzonensis C.Presl.; Gronovia ternata Blanco; Halesia ternata Blanco; Illigera meyeniana Kunth. ex Walpers; Illigera pubescens Merrill; Illigera ternata (Blanco)Dunn.;