Food Plants International - Plant Fact Sheets

Erythrina variegata

Edible: Seeds, Leaves, Vegetable, Pods, Flowers

A deciduous tree. It grows up to 15-20 m tall and loses its leaves for part of the year. The trunk has blunt spines. The branches are spreading, crooked and armed with sharp black prickles. The leaves have 3 leaflets. The leaflets are broadly oval and 8 to 18 cm long. They are shiny green on top and dull flat green underneath. The flowers appear before the leaves. The flowers are at the ends of branches and are hairy and dense. The flowers are large numerous and hang down. They are red. The pod is about 10 to 25 cm long and 1.5 to 2 cm across. The pod is constricted between the beans. Seeds are dark red.

A tropical plant. It is native from India to the Philippines and the Pacific. It mostly grows naturally along the dunes very close to the coast but is transplanted as an ornamental. It will grow up to 900 m altitude. It has been recorded up to 2,200 m above sea level in PNG. It is tolerant to salt. It can tolerate drought. It needs full sun. It can grow in a wide range of soils and soil pH values from 4.5-8.0. It is a nitrogen fixing tree so can grow on poor soils. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 11-12. In Yunnan.

Common Names: Indian coral tree, Coral Tree, 'atae, Badisa, Badita, Bangaro, Baridamu, Belendoong, Berebedhi, Butsu daavi, Chengkering, Citong, Dadap aykam, Dadap belang, Dadap blendung, Dap-dap, Dedap, Drala, Erabadu, Faiy-kurehi, Far-tuah, Galala itam, Gatae, Gate, Harivana, In-kathit, Kalayana-murikku, Kaliyanamurukku, Kathit-phyu, Mandar, Mandara, Mandaram, Milimbit, Modugu, Nara, Natae, Netae, Ngatae, Paar, Palita mandar, Palita, Panaraweo, Panervo, Panga, Pangara, Pangra, Parepein, Parijata, Pinle-kathit, Raar, Tawng lang, Tawng puak, Thethek, Thong-laang-laai, Thorny Tong, Tiger's claw, Varjipe, Vong nem, Waigunda, Weeku, Wiliwili hole

Synonyms: 

Chirocalyx candolleanus Walp.;
and others
Corallodendron divaricatum (Moc. & Sesse) Kuntze;
Corallodendron orientale (L.) Kuntze;
Erythrina corallodendon var. orientalis L.;
Erythrina indica Lam.;
Erythrina indica var. orientalis (L.) Miller;
Erythrina lithosperma Bl. ex Miq.;
Erythrina orientalis (L.) Merrill;
Erythrina parcellii hort.;
Tetradapa javanorum Osbeck;
and others

Euonymus japonicus

Edible: Leaves, Caution

A spreading evergreen shrub. It grows 3-3.5 m high. The leaves are dark shiny green. The flowers are pale greenish. The fruit are pink capsules opening to reveal orange seeds.

It is a temperate and subtropical plant. It is grown at high altitudes in the tropics. It suits hardiness zones 7-10. Melbourne Botanical Gardens. Arboretum Tasmania.

Common Names: Japanese spindle tree, Evergreen spindle tree, Dongqing Weimao, Holly Euonymus, Japonska trdoleska, Masaki

Eurya japonica

Edible: Leaves - tea, Leaves

A shrub or small tree. It grows 3-6 m high. It spreads 2.4-6 m wide. The leaves are broadly oval. They are leathery and 3-5 cm long. They taper at both ends. There are teeth along the edges. The flowers are white or cream with pink tints. They are of one sex. The fruit are purple-black berries. They are 5 mm across.

It is a warm temperate to subtropical plant. In E China it grows on mountain slopes and in valleys between 300-2,500 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 7-10.

Common Names: Arruttuvarai, Baunra, Chontra nhat, Deura, Gonte, Hisakaki, Huluni, Jhingni, Murmura, Saseni, Sihneh, Taung-laphet, Taw-laphet, Tukcheong, Tuksol, Tungchung

Fagopyrum dibotrys

Edible: Leaves, Seeds, Vegetable, Root

A erect herb. It is hairy. It grows about 1 m high. The main root is big and red and has many branch roots. The leaves are 5-11 cm long by 4.5-13 cm wide. They are triangular, or arrowhead shaped and taper to the tip. The base is heart shaped and there are hairs along the veins. The flowers are white. They occur in the axils of leaves and at the ends of branches. The fruit is a red nut. It is 3 angled.

NB Probably now Fagopyrum acutatum

A tropical plant. In Nepal it grows between 1500-3000 m altitude. It grows by roads, in valleys and in shade. In Yunnan. In Sichuan.

Common Names: Perennial buckwheat, Notch-seeded buckwheat, An-bawng, Banbhande, Banfafra, Banogal, Banogol, Ban paphra, Ban phapar, Ban phaper, Barbande, Buckwheat, Da goe, Eqiaobie, Geye, Hechung, Hhaoqqail, Hukku, Ja-rain, Jarian, alya, KanKandya, Luo zhuo guo, Pabong, Pa ge mong, Phaphra, Phopra, Pre, Pullip-bi, Saidiku, Sambodom bong, Shakuchiri-soba, Talkyung, Tawu, Titefaper, Titi-phapar, Wanao, Yang bu rai

Synonyms: 

Fagopyrum cymosum (Trev.) Miesn.;
Polygonum dibotrys D. Don;
Polygonum cymosum Treviranus;
Polygonum emarginatum Roxb.;
Polygonum triangulare Wall.ex Meisn.;

Probably now Fagopyrum acutatum

Fagopyrum esculentum

Edible: Seeds, Leaves, Flowers

An upright annual herb up to 1 m high. It spreads to 1 m across. It has angular hollow stems. These are erect and branching. Leaves are heart shaped or triangular and small. It has groups of white or pink flowers. These have a smell. They occur in clusters at the ends of branches. Fruit are small and 3 angled. The plants are not grasses but the seeds are normally grouped with other grain crops.

It is a temperate plant. It can be grown at high altitudes in the tropics. It will grow on poor soils. It prefers rich soils and a protected sunny position. It can grow in acid soils. It is resistant to frost but damaged by drought. In Nepal it grows between 1000-2500 m altitude. It can grow up to 4,400 m altitude. In Uttar Pradesh it grows up to 3000 m altitude. In Yunnan.

Common Names: Buckwheat, Japanese buckwheat, Silverhull buckwheat, Al-Hintta, Al-Swdaa, B lei, Brank, Bro, Buchweizen, Chutia lofa, Daran, Dayat, Dhemsi sak, Dongthe, Doron, Fafra, Fagopiro, Gamrus, Grano saraceno, Helangala, Ka-la, Koti, Kotu, Kyoubaku, Lompuk, Mach ba-goc, Mariwo, Memil, Mithe phaper, Navadna ajda, Notch-seeded buckwheat, Obul, Ogla, Ogli, Oogal, Phanpar, Phapar, Phaphar, Phaphara, Phaphra, Qiao mai, Sagad, Saracen, Sarrasin, Shari-mam, Soba, Tian qiao mai, Titaphapur, Trigo-sarraceno, Varimbazahamainty, Wakha-yendem

Synonyms: 

Fagopyrum cereale Raf.;
Fagopyrum sagittatum Gilib. [Invalid];
Fagopyrum vulgare Hill, nom. inval.;
Polygonum emarginatum Gilib.;
Polygonum fagopyrum L.;
and others

Ficus auriculata

Edible: Fruit, Leaves, Flowers

A fig. It is a small tree. It grows 5-10 m high. The trunk is 30-50 cm across but often less. The crown is broadly spreading. The trunk is usually not straight. The bark is warty and grey. Young shoots are hollow. The young shoots are reddish brown. They are 1-1.5 cm across. The leafy structure at the base of the leaf is triangle shaped and reddish brown. It is 1.5-2 cm long. The leaves are alternate and 10-25-55 cm long by 7-23-27 cm wide. They are rounded and softly hairy underneath. The base is normally deeply heart shaped. There can be small teeth along the leaf edge. The figs grow on the base of the trunk and on short branches of old stems. The fruit is 5-7 cm across. It is green when young and dark red when ripe. The fruit is sweet and with a sweet smell. There are ribs along the fruit.

A tropical plant. It needs light and humidity. It grows up to 700-800 m altitude. It is most common about 100-400 m altitude. It often grows along rivers. In Nepal it grows up to 2000 m altitude. In China it grows in moist valleys in forests between 100-1700 m altitude and sometimes to 2100 m in S China. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In XTBG Yunnan.

Common Names: Eve's apron, Roxburgh fig, Anjoora, Ara, Athi, Beliblo, Chidoshi, Chodoshi, Choma, Dabgo, Da guo rong, Dhusi, Doshi, Dusi, Elephant ear fig, Fagoora, Ghider thaikhro, Gopa, Heibong, Hider thaikhro, Hute, Kaitak, Kakbal-takukasing, Ka-ohn, Kaung-oat-tee, Kelebok, Khavu, Kukbal takuk, Lagum, Long o biu, Lothepi, Mamojang, Mangtan, Mon dimoru, Mu gua cai, Na-gum, Na sha er zi, Nebaro, Nebharo, Nee ri, Nevaro, Newaro, Ngoa, Nimaro, Nuoge biu, Pak wa, Papaya fig, Pawa, Pha-owl, Phak-ohn, Phok, Saipho, Shupu, Sin-thahpan, Sipu, Taba, Takuk, Tapang, Thaibor, Tha-phan, Theiba, Thei-bal, Theichang, Theichong, Theipi, Thu-phak-lu-sang, Timal, Timila, Timilo, Timla, Timli, Timlo, Timlu, Tirmal, Toubu dhu, Tramble, Trembal, Triambal, Trimbal, Txiv ncuav pias, Va, Va', Wuwa, Xiang er rong, Xi bu, Xibuabo, Xibulao

Synonyms: 

Covellia macrophylla Miq.;
Ficus hainanensis Merr. & Chun;
Ficus hamiltoniana Wall. [Invalid];
Ficus macrocarpa H. Lev. & Vaniot [Illegitimate];
Ficus macrophylla Roxb. & Buch.-Ham ex Sm. [Illegitimate];
Ficus oligodon Miq.;
Ficus pomifera Wall. ex King;
Ficus regia Miq.;
Ficus rotundifolia Roxb.;
Ficus roxburghii Steud.;
Ficus sclerocarpa Griff.;
Ficus scleroptera Griff. [Illegitimate];

Ficus benjamina

Edible: Fruit, Leaves

A fig. It is an evergreen tree. It grows to 12-30 m high and spreads to 4-15 m across. The stem is erect and slender. It has irregular flanges along it. The trunk can be 30-50 cm across. The branches can hang over and the leaves hang down. The plant can produce aerial roots from the largest branches. The bark is smooth and pale grey. The leaves are simple, green and glossy. They are darker on top. The are leathery and oval and taper towards the tip. Leaves are 5-13 cm long and 2-4.5 cm wide. The leaf stalk is 1 cm long. The flowers are very small. There are separate male and female flowers enclosed in a receptacle or fig. The fruit are dark red and small round figs. They are 1 cm across. They are produced in pairs. Some varieties occur based on the size of the figs.

It is a tropical plant. It can grow in subtropical and warm temperate regions. It does best in rich, moist soil. It needs a protected sunny position. It is damaged by drought and frost. It can survive light frost. They need a minimum temperature above 15°C. It grows naturally in moist coastal monsoon vine forests. In China it grows in mixed forests between 500-600 m altitude in S China. It requires humidity and light. It grows below 700 m altitude in Vietnam. It grows on the edge of secondary forest. In XTBG Yunnan. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. Hobart Botanical Gardens.

Common Names: Benjamin’s fig, Weeping fig, Balete, Beringin, Charingin, Chilubor, Chhrey kreum, Chui ye rong, Co hay, Faiy kudhi nika, Jawi-jawi, Jejawi, Kabra, Kyet-kadut, Niakhusi, Nyaung-lun, Nyaung-thabye, Pakur, Pimpri, Pukar, Putra-juvi, Sai yol, Sai-yoi-bai-laem, Sami, Si, The Waringin, Waringin, Weringin

Synonyms: 

Ficus comosa Roxb.;
Ficus lucida Aiton;
Ficus nitida Thunb.;
Ficus pyrifolia Salisb. [Illegitimate];
Ficus retusa var. nitida (Thunb.) Miq.;
Urostigma nitidum Miq.;
and others

Ficus hispida

Edible: Fruit, Leaves

A fig. It is a small bushy tree. It grows 6-8 m high and spreads to 2-5 m across. The branches are hollow. It has strangling roots but not aerial roots. The trunk is short and fairly straight and slender. The bark is grey. The young shoots are red and hairy. The leaves are alternate and simple. The leaves are 10-35 cm long by 6-12 cm wide. The leaf stalks are 2-9 cm long. The leaves are dark green, thin and rough on both surfaces. The trees are separately male and female. The fig is 3-5 cm across. They are reddish-green and borne in clumps on the trunk and larger branches. The figs split open and are red inside. There are some varieties described based on the colour and size of the figs.

It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It occurs naturally in monsoonal rainforests. It grows on alluvial soils and on sandstone slopes. In Nepal plants are grown between 500-1100 m altitude. In S China it grows between 1000-1500 m altitude. In XTBG Yunnan.

Common Names: White Sandpaper Fig, Boombil, Hairy Fig, Adavi atti, Ara bombong, Ara lempong, Ara senigai, Ara sungai, Ashi heibong, Baidimiri, Bhokada, Bhuty umbar, Bisoro, Bodamamidi, Boikwe, Bokria, Brammadi, Buddachettu, Bhui umbar, Bhuty umbar, Daduri, Dagurin, Damur, Dhedaumaro, Dimiri, Dimoru, Dui ye rong, Dumoor, Dumur, Dumur dhaugri, Engthum, Epu, Erumanakku, Gobla, Gular, Hpauwu, Ingthum, Irthot, Jangali aanjir, Jangliangir, Jangli umbar, Jia jhra, Ka-aung, Kadatti, Kadut, Kagsha, Kakadumbra, Kakodumar, Kala umbar, Kalumber, Katgularia, Kathgular, Kathumbar, Kautaik, Kha-aung, Khandao, Kharoti, Khasreti, Khasreto, Khasattya, Khasrey, Khoksha dumru, Khoksa, Koksa, Kothayo, Koth umbo, Kukto belo, Leluwing, Lovie prei, Luwing, Lvea prey, Madue plong, Mai-nawt-hpu, Malayu, Ngai, Nithutong, Ovachidoshi, Pakar, Panidimiri, Peyatta, Peyatti, Pohon ara luwing, Radoshi, Rough leafed fig, Sakhap, Seniah, Senil, Sonatti, Swamp fig, Takpi, Thei-thawt, Thiwek, Thote, Thotne, Tote, Totmila, Umbo

Synonyns: 

Covellia assamica Miq.;
Covellia courtallensis Miq.;
Covellia daemonum (J. Koenig ex Vahl) Miq.;
Covellia dasycarpa Miq.;
Covellia hispida (L.) Miq.;
Covellia oppositifolia (Roxb.) Gasp.;
Covellia setulosa Miq.,
Covellia wightiana Miq.,
Ficus auriculata Trimen, not Loureiro;
Ficus courtallensis (Miq.) Baill.;
Ficus daemonum J. Koenig ex Vahl;
Ficus fecunda Blume;
Ficus goolereea Roxb.;
Ficus hispida forma borneensis Miq.;
Ficus hispida var. incana Kuntze;
Ficus hispida var. obovifolia Hochr.;
Ficus hispida var. viridis Kuntze;
Ficus hispidioides S. Moore;
Ficus letacqui H. Lev. & Vaniot;
Ficus mollis Willd.;
Ficus oppositifolia Roxb.;
Ficus perinteregam Pennant;
Ficus poilanei Gagnep.;
Ficus prominens Wall. ex Miq.;
Ficus sambucixylon H. Lev. & Vaniot;
Ficus setistyla Warb.;
Ficus symphytifolia Lam.;
Ficus scabra Jacq.;
Gonusuke daemonum (J. Koenig ex Vahl) Raf.;
Gonusuke hispida (L.) Raf.;
Gonusuke scabra (Jacq.) Raf.;
Perin-teregam Rheede;
Sycomorphe roxburghii Miq.;

Ficus rumphii

Edible: Leaves, Fruit, Vegetable, Flowers

A fig. It is a tree. It grows about 15 m tall. Usually it lives growing on and attached to other trees. The bark is grey and wrinkled when dry. The leafy growth at the base of the leaf is oval and 1.2-2.5 cm long. It leaves a scar which is easy to see. The leaf stalk is 6-8 cm long. The leaf blade is heart shaped or oval and 6-13 cm long by 6-11 cm wide. It is somewhat leathery. The base is broadly wedge shaped and it tapers to the tip. There are 4 veins near the base then 5-6 secondary veins on each side of the main vein. Normally there are a pair of figs in the axils of leaves. Sometimes they are in groups on older leafless branches. They have dark spots when young. They are dark purple when mature. They are round and without stalks. They are 1-1.5 cm across. There are only a few male flowers scattered amongst the other flowers.

A tropical plant. In China it grows along trails between 600-700 m altitude in Yunnan.

Common Names: False Buddha tree, Asht, Bettaarali, Dumur, Gagjaira, Gaiaswat, Gai aswathwa, Gajna, Hay, Jakri, Jia putishu, Kabar, Kathepipal, Mawnglae, Mawnglaw, Mawnglok, Paharepipal, Pair, Pakar, Pakur, Payar, Pilkhan, Prap, Wagrans, Xin ye rong

Synonyms: 

Ficus cordifolia Roxb.;
Ficus conciliorum Oken;
Ficus damit Gagnep.;
Urostigma cordifolium (Roxb.) Miq.;
Urostigma rumphii (Blume) Miquel;

Ficus superba

Edible: Leaves, Fruit

A large fig. It loses its leaves for a short time. It has some aerial roots. It grows 6-21 m high and spreads 10-18 m wide. The young leaves are pink. They become mid green. The leaves grow to 25 cm long. The figs are dull purple. They are 18 mm across. They are clustered on short stalks.

A tropical plant. The variety japonica occurs in China. It grows on plains or in villages near the sea coast in S China. It grows from 100-1400 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. Geelong Botanical Gardens.

Common Names: Sea Fig, Deciduous fig, Hua li rong, Lieb, Pohon ara jerakah bulu, Pohon ara superba