Zhen chi tie zai
Myrsine semiserrata

Family: Primulaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 3-7 m high. The branches are slightly angular. They are 1.5-2 mm thick. The leaf stalks is 6-8 mm long. The leaf blade is sword shaped and 5-14 cm long by 2-2.5-4 cm wide. They are papery or slightly leathery. The leaf is slightly unequal on either half. The base is wedge shaped and there are teeth along the edge. The flowering stalk is in the axils of leaves. The flowers are white or yellowish. The fruit is red and becomes purple black. It is round and 5-7 mm across. The fruit is edible.

There are about 300 Myrsine species. Also put in the family Myrsinaceae.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. In China it grows in broad-leaved forest on limestone hills and near streams in sunny places. It grows between 500-2700 m altitude in S China. Melbourne Botanical gardens. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Byi-tang-ga, Kalikath, Karauta, Kaukath, Kazaw, Ngasi, Xay rang-nhon

Synonyms

Celastrus cavaleriei H. Leveille; Celastrus seguinii H.Leveille; Myrsine semiserrata var. brachypoda Z.Y.Zhu;