Helicia obovatifolia

Merr. et Chun

Proteaceae Edible: Seeds Potential hazards — see below

gbif· cc0

President and Fellows of Harvard College

gbif· cc0

President and Fellows of Harvard College

Description

An evergreen tree. It grows 20 m high. The trunk is 40 cm across. The leaves and flowers have a rusty coating. The leaves are oval and 7-28 cm long by 4-15 cm wide. They are leathery. The base is wedge shaped and there can be teeth along the edge. The fruit are oval and purple to black. They are 3-5 cm long by 2-4 cm wide.

Edible Uses

The seeds are rich in starch and can be used for food and alcohol production.

Traditional Uses

The seeds are rich in starch. It can be used for food and for alcohol production. Caution: Alcohol is a cause of cancer.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Known Hazards

Alcohol is a cause of cancer.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in tropical evergreen forests. It grows on hills below 1,000 m altitude. It grows on wet soil.

Where It Grows

Asia, China, Indochina, SE Asia, Vietnam,

Production

In southern China it flowers in June to October and fruit in October to December.

Notes

There are about 90 Helicia species mostly in SE Asia with some in N Australia.

Also Known As

Ma sua la trung nguoc

References (3)

Flora of China @ efloras.org Volume 5
Forest Inventory and Planning Institute, 1996, Vietnam Forest Trees. Agriculture Publishing House p 592
Sunyatsenia 5:45. 1940