Broussonetia kurzii

(J. D. Hooker) Corner

Sa Lae

Moraceae Edible: Flowers, Fruit

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Description

A wild climbing shrub. The leaves are alternate. They are oval and narrow towards the tip and are reduced towards the base. They are 7-20 cm long by 2.5-7 cm wide. The leaf stalk is 2-3 mm long. The flower arrangements have male and female flowers separately. The male flowers are spikes like cylinders. They are 4-5 cm long. The female flowers are clusters with 3-5 heads. They are 5-7 mm wide. The fruit is a dry one enclosed in bracts. It is 8-10 mm across. The seeds are shaped like a lens.

Edible Uses

Known as salae (สะแล) in Thailand, this species is valued as a medicinal plant. Its little spherical flower buds are also a food item in Thai cuisine.

Traditional Uses

The rounded flower heads are used in hot sour soup. The young fruit are cooked and used as a vegetable in curry.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

A tropical plant. It is found in tropical deciduous forest and scrub. In Yunnan in China it grows between 200-600 m altitude.

Where It Grows

Asia, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Laos, Myanmar, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand, Vietnam,

Notes

There are 4-8 Broussonetia species.

Synonyms

Allaeanthus kurzii J.D.Hooker

Also Known As

Luo ye hua sang

References (6)

Eiadthong, W., et al, 2010, Management of the Emerald Triangle Protected Forests Complex. Botanical Consultant Technical Report. p 47
Jacquat, C., 1990, Plants from the Markets of Thailand. D.K. Book House p 66
Jiwajinda, S., et al, 2002, Suppressive Effects of Edible Thai Plants on Superoxide and Nitric Oxide Generation. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, Vol 3, 2002
Moraceae, Flora of China.
Nakahara, K. et al, 2002, Antimutagenicity of Some Edible Thai Plants, and a Biocative Carbazole Alkaloid, Mahanine, Isolated from Micromelum minutum. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 50: 4796-4892

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