White wild pear
Callicarpa kochiana
Family: Lamiaceae
What it is like
A shrub. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows 1-4 m tall. It is hairy. The leaves are broadly sword shaped and 15-25 cm long by 5-8 cm wide. They taper to the tip. There are teeth along the edge. They are densely hairy underneath. The flowers are small and purple. They are in large groups. The fruit are white and 2 mm across.
Previously in the Verbenaceae family.
Where it is found
It is a subtropical plant. It is native to Taiwan. In southern China it grows between 100-900 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, China, Indochina, Japan, SE Asia, Taiwan, Vietnam
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Fruit