Thespesia lampas

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 1-3 m high. The small branches have rusty hairs. The leaves are oval and 8-13 cm long by 6-13 cm wide. The flowers are bell shaped and yellow with red centres. The fruit are oval and 2.5 cm long. The seeds are oval and black.

It is used in medicine for liver complaints.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in muddy seashores. In India it grows in the hills during the monsoon season. It grows between 300-1,200 m above sea level. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia (country/location of origin), Cambodia, China, East Africa, Guianas, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, SE Asia, South America, Suriname, Thailand, Vietnam, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The young shoot and flowers are eaten.

Edible parts

Shoots, leaves, flowers

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Bai jiao tong mian, Ban kapas, Bulak bulakan, Kapas hutan, Palowa, Polompom, Taw-wah, Thaman-shaw, Thinbaung-shaw, Tra nho, Wet-thinbaung

Synonyms

Hibiscus lampas Cav.; Azanza lampas (Cav.) Alef.; Buparti lampas (Cav.) Rothm.;