Neanotis (PROSEA)

Plant Resources of South-East Asia Introduction

List of species

Neanotis W.H. Lewis

Family: Rubiaceae

Major species and synonyms

• Neanotis hirsuta (L.f.) Lewis, synonym: Anotis hirsuta (L.f.) Boerl.

• Neanotis indica (DC.) Lewis, synonym: Anotis leschenaultiana Wight & Arnott.

Vernacular names

• N. hirsuta : Indonesia: ringitan gunung (Java), jukut kahitutan, kasimbukan (West Java).

• N. indica : Indonesia: simbukan lemah (West Java).

Distribution

Both species are indigenous to Indonesia.

Uses

Although fetid when bruised, plants are eaten as vegetable, raw or steamed.

Observations

N. hirsuta:

• Erect or decumbent perennial herb, 15-75 cm tall, rooting at the nodes of the terete stem.
• Leaves opposite, ovate or ovate-oblong, 1-5 cm × 0.5-3 cm, dark green above, pale green beneath.

In sunny or somewhat shady, humid places from 800-2100 m altitude, often as a weed in tea or coffee plantations.

N. indica:

• Similar to N. hirsuta but smaller (up to 50 cm tall, leaves 0.5-3.5 cm × 0.5-2 cm) and stem with four ridges or narrow wings.

Less common, from 1600-2600 m altitude.

Selected sources

7, 66.