Vallaris solanacea

(Roth) Kuntze

Bread flower vine

Apocynaceae Edible: Leaves, Flowers, Fruit, Seeds Potential hazards — see below 78 iNaturalist observations

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Description

A large twining shrub or tree. It grows 10 m long. The bark is smooth and it has a yellowish-white covering. The stems have milky sap. The leaves are 5-12 cm long by 2.5 cm wide. They are sword shaped. The groups of flowers are in the axils of leaves. The flowers are white and have a scent. The fruit is 10-15 cm long by 3-5 cm wide.

Edible Uses

The flowers, fruit, leaves, and seeds are all edible.

Traditional Uses

The flowers and fruit are edible.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Known Hazards

The stems contain milky sap, typical of Apocynaceae family members which often contain toxins; caution advised.

Distribution

A tropical plant. In southern China it grows in forest thickets and along streams from sea level to 2,700 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Asia, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Notes

There are 5 or 6 Vallaris species.

Synonyms

Peltanthera solanacea RothVallaris heynii Spreng.

Also Known As

Bhadramunja, Bhadravalli, Bonokonerinoi, Bugadi, Chama nat, Chamari-ki-vel, Dudhe lahara, Dudhi bel, Dudhi, Gohingia, Haparmali, Hopormoli, Jokhuni-lew, Jookamallechettu, Karilew, Kerak nasi, Kesidang, Khinbok, Madhumaalati, Mai-soh-sangia, Nabu-nwe, Nityamalle, Pallamalletivva, Puttupodarayayala, Ramsar, Safed bel, Vishalayakrit

References (11)

Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 667
Arora, R. K., 2014, Diversity in Underutilized Plant Species - An Asia-Pacific Perspective. Bioversity International. p 47
Burkill, I.H., 1966, A Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Vol 2 (I-Z) p 2258 (As Vallaris heynii)
[(Annathuvarei, Arurong, Attarasu, Attupuvarasu, Aulekapasi, Bhel-kol, Bhillaura, Bol-diktak, Bolnokhap, Dieng-soh-lyndot, Eeruponaku, Gadalopong, Gamari, Gamhar, Garum, Jongheia, Kaadukanji, Kanji, Kattukunil, Kaykumbala, Kenlo, Kurong, Malankumil, Monda, Pambarakkumbil, Panigambhar, Panijambhar, Panipitho, Petari, Pindara, Pitali, Pithakuma-kendlow, Pithaliya, Ramritha, Raypbunul, Thing-chingel, Thungplam, Tumri, Vellar,) wrong location ]
Flora of China. 16:177, 1995,

Show all 11 references

Martin, F.W. & Ruberte, R.M., 1979, Edible Leaves of the Tropics. Antillian College Press, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. p 175 (As Vallaris heynii)
Milow, P., et al, 2013, Malaysian species of plants with edible fruits or seeds and their evaluation. International Journal of Fruit Science. 14:1, 1-2
Revis. gen. pl. 2:417. 1891
Sukarya, D. G., (Ed.) 2013, 3,500 Plant Species of the Botanic Gardens of Indonesia. LIPI p 986
Wild edible plants of Himachal Pradesh
World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew