Edible: Leaves, Fruit
A woody vine which attaches to trees by roots at the nodes on the main vine. The vegetative branches form roots at the nodes but the fruiting branches do not. The stems are 2.5-5 mm thick. The leaf stalk is 2-5 cm long. It has a fine powdery covering. The leaves can be 7-15 cm long and 5-11 cm wide. The leaves are papery or slightly leathery. The flowers are separately male and female. Male spikes are thinner and longer than female. The spikes droop. The fruit is composed of fused parts making a compound fruit.
A tropical plant. It occurs in the lowlands and up to about 700 m altitude. It needs a reasonably good rainfall. In the Cairns Botanical Gardens. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. At MARDI.
Common Names: Betel pepper, Akabui, Amasi katu, Fa qie wei niu, Gabuuy, Hirata, Igisi, Kata, Kebui, Kubaha, Kun, Kun-ywet-pin, Kura, Lou ye, Loupita, Manavasa, Mithi, Nagavalli, Nagurvel, Nup, Ofa, Ofa, Paan, Pan, Pan pata, Panpatta, Pathi, Pita, Plobo, Pupulu, Sanga, Sarapa, Sirih, Sla-tympew, Tamalapaku, Tambula, Tambuli, Trau khong, Vettila, Vettilai, Videchapana, Vilayadele, Vuvulu
Synonyms:
Chavica betle Miq.;