Vaccinium sprengelii

Family: Ericaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It loses its leaves during the winter. It can grow 3 m high. Young growth is red coloured. The leaves are oval or sword shaped and 4-9 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. They have long narrow points. The flowers are on the underside of long flowering stalks. These are white tinged with pink. The flowering groups are 7.5 cm long and the flowers are 5 mm long. The fruit are small purple-black berries.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in cool climates but cannot tolerate heavy frosts.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Laos, Myanmar, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The fruit are edible. The young leaves are boiled and used as a vegetable. The flowers are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, bud, flowers

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Dieng-jing, Dieng-soh-rongkham, Sir-kam, Sirte, Sontram sprengel

Synonyms

Vaccinium donianum Wight;