Uyah-uyahan chloranthus
Chloranthus elatior

Family: Chloranthaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 1-4 m high. It is slightly woody. The leaves are simple and opposite. The leaf blade is broadly oval and 10-20 cm long by 4-8 cm wide. They are rigid and papery. There are 5-9 pairs of side veins. The flowers are at the ends of the branches. The flowers are small, sometimes of only one sex, and green. The fruit is green when young and white when mature. It is about 5 mm across.

It is used as a medicine.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in dense tropical forests in Asia. It grows wild at least in some highlands areas of Papua New Guinea. It grows up to 2,300 m above sea level. It can grow at higher altitudes in Araucaria forests often on limestone.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andamans, Asia, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand

How it is used for food

The leaves can be used for a tea drink. The leaves are recorded as eaten in Papua New Guinea. In SE Asia the leaves are used to make a tea-like drink. The roots are also used for a drink.

It is sold in markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Barau barau, Dikut dikut, Hanthening, Hom kai, Kaduk khai, Kbak damrei, Keras tulang, Kraduk kai, Kras tulang, Langut langut, Manik, Muni, Paludengen, Rami hutan, Sambau paya, Sembau, Sigueh puteh, Tunggao, Uyah-uyahan, Yu zi lan

Synonyms

Chloranthus elatior R. Br.; Chloranthus erectus (Buch.-Ham.) Sweet ex Wall.; Chloranthus erectus (Buch.-Ham.) Verdc.; Chloranthus erectus Sweet; Chloranthus officinalis Blume; Chloranthus salicifolius C. Presl.; Chloranthus sumatranus Miq.; Cryphaea erecta Buch.-Ham.;