Woody vine
Embelia philippinensis

Family: Primulaceae

What it is like

A woody vine with spiny old stems. The vines can be 4 m long and 1.5 cm across. The branches are smooth and shiny. The leaves are alternate, leathery, smooth and 7 to 14 cm long by 3-4 cm wide. The flowers are small and whitish and occur in considerable numbers in compound flower arrangements. The fruit are berry like, sour and up to 5 mm across. They are red and usually with a noticeable narrow extension of the ovary at the tip.

There are about 140 Embelia species. Also put in the family Myrsinaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in open and partly shaded secondary forest. They occur in the Philippines from northern Luzon to the northern provinces of Mindanao.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Malaysia, Pacific, Philippines (country/location of origin), SE Asia

How it is used for food

The young acid leaves are eaten with fish. The fleshy layer around the seed is eaten raw. It is sweet/sour.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit, spice

How it is grown

It can be grown from seed or by stem cuttings. The seeds are best planted in a nursery and then transplanted. Cuttings are taken from mature stems.

Its other names

Local names

Bisolak, Bisudak, Dikai, Lando, Pongpong, War ilang

Synonyms

Rhamnus lando Llanos; Ribesoides philippense O.Kuntze; Samara philippinensis Vidal;