Willughbeia edulis (PROSEA)
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Introduction |
Willughbeia edulis Roxb.
- Protologue: Apocynaceae
Synonyms
Willughbeia cochinchinensis (Pierre) K.Schum., W. curtisiana (Pierre) K.Schum., W. dulcis Ridl.
Vernacular names
- Malaysia: aguh, akar jitan, buah padang (Peninsular)
- Thailand: ka tang ka tiu (central), khui (peninsular), khui chaang (south-eastern)
- Vietnam: dây guối ta.
Distribution
Nicobar Islands, India, Bangladesh, Burma (Myanmar), Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia (Peninsular).
Uses
Before the coming of para rubber the latex of W. edulis was used to make rubber, although its latex is of inferior quality because it soon becomes resinous and hard. The edible fruit, although full of latex, is said to be soft and sweet. In Cambodia the stem is used in medicines against dysentery, liver complaints and yaws.
Observations
Woody climber with glabrous branches containing latex. Leaves opposite; petiole up to 2 cm long; blade elliptical or oblong, 3-25 cm × 1-12 cm, 1-5 times as long as wide, base cuneate to rounded, apex acuminate. Inflorescence an axillary cyme, up to 3 cm long, sometimes 2 in a single leaf axis, with 3-12 flowers; flowers 5-merous; corolla tubular, tube up to 7 mm long, lobes 4-14 mm long. Fruit a globose to ovoid berry, up to 6 cm in diameter, yellow or orange. Seed compressed ovoid, up to about 1.5 cm long.
Selected sources
5, 11, 20, 27, 31, 34.
