Thao nuai
Gynochthodes sublanceolata
Family: Rubiaceae
What it is like
A climbing shrub. The stem is smooth and it has slender branches. The leaves are opposite and entire. They are sword shaped and rough. They are 6.5-7.5 cm long by 4-6.5 cm wide. They are dark green. The flowers are in a tuft or hanging head in the axils of leaves. They are small and white. The fruit is a fleshy one with a hard stone. It is 7.5-15 mm long and greenish-white. There are 2-4 hard stones which are flattened on one side.
There are about 20 Gynochtodes species.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It is found in areas of scrub by the sea.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Indochina, SE Asia, Thailand
How it is used for food
The young leaves are cooked and served as a vegetable.
Edible parts
Leaves