Woolly-leaved fire tree
Premna tomentosa

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A tree. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows 4-6 m tall. The bark is grey and smooth. The leaves are simple and opposite. The leaf stalk is 2-5 cm long. The leaf blade is 6-25 cm long by 5-15 cm wide. They have a white coating underneath. The flowers are small and yellow. The fruit is small and black and 5-6 mm long. There are 4 seeds.

Also put in the family Verbenaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in dry evergreen and dry deciduous forests. It grows up to 1,400 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, China, Egypt, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The young leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

It can be grown from root suckers. It can be grown by seed. It can be grown from cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Kyun-bo, Mai-sak-hpu, Mai-sak-kai, Nelli, Pohon premna wolan

Synonyms

Premna cordata Blanco; Premna flavescens Juss.;