Phyllanthaceae - Botanical Family

Botanical name: Baccaurea dulcis

Common names: Rambai, Kampuduang, Menteng

Family: Phyllanthaceae

Origin: Sumatra, Java

Baccaurea dulcis (Rambai) is an uncommon, small tree that is native to the low elevation rain forests of Sumatra and Java. It typically stands between 10 and 20 feet tall and thrives in full sun or semi-shade circumstances. Rambai requires an adequate amount of water on a regular basis in order to remain healthy; it prefers a soil that is rich and slightly on the acidic side. With proper care, this tree is adaptable to USDA Zones 10 through 11; however, it needs to be protected from cold weather and can be grown indoors or in greenhouses in colder climates.

Throughout its natural range, the Rambai is an ethnomedical plant that is used for various medicinal and edible purposes. It produces edible fruits that are swollen, spherical and approximately two inches in diameter. These fruits ripen to a bright orange color and develop a sweet and tart flavor over several weeks. It is important to note that if the fruit is still tart, it is not yet ripe. The tree is also known for its large edible seeds, which can be cooked and consumed as a nutritious snack.

Botanical name: Baccaurea parviflora

Common name: Wild Rambai

Family: Phyllanthaceae

Origin: Indochina, Malesia

Botanical name: Baccaurea polyneura

Common name: Tampoi

Family: Phyllanthaceae

Origin: Southeast Asia

Botanical name: Baccaurea reticulata

Common name: Lesser Tampoi

Family: Phyllanthaceae

Origin: Malay Peninsula, Kalimantan

Botanical names: Bischofia javanica, Andrachne apetala, Andrachne trifoliata, Bischofia cummingiana

Common names: Bishop Wood, Javawood, Toog Tree, Java Cedar

Family: Phyllanthaceae

Origin: Southeast Asia

Hardiness: 30°F

The tree is used for reforestation and is often intercropped in traditional agriculture. In India, it is considered to be an excellent shade tree in coffee and cardamom plantations

Young soft leaves - eaten as a vegetable.

Botanical names: Breynia androgyna, Sauropus androgynus

Common names: Katuk, Star Gooseberry, Sweet Leaf, Tropical Asparagus, Chang Kok, Manis, Nutty Leaf, Rau Ngot

Family: Phyllanthaceae

Origin: India

Sauropus androgynus is a shrub grown in some tropical regions as a leaf vegetable. In Chinese it is called mani cai, in Malay it is called cekur manis or sayur manis, and in Vietnamese, it is called rau ngot.

Its multiple upright stems can reach 6-7 ft high and bear dark green oval leaves 2-3" long.

It is one of the most popular leaf vegetables in South Asia and Southeast Asia and is notable for high yields and palatability. The shoot tips have been sold as tropical asparagus. In Vietnam, people cook it with crab meat, minced pork or dried shrimp to make soup. In Malaysia, it is commonly stir-fried with egg and dried achovies. It is among only a few flora containing vitamin K.

It is a popular vegetable cultivated in India, Malaysia, Indonesia, southwest China. Delicious young shoots!

See Article about this plant.

Botanical names: Breynia disticha, Breynia nivosa

Common names: Snow Bush, Hawaiian-Leaf Flower, Sweet Pea Bush, Calico Plant, Snow on the Mountain

Family: Phyllanthaceae

Origin: Pacific Islands

Hardiness: 25°F

Snowbush is a rounded shrub that is used primarily for its attractive foliage. It has mall, mottled, multi-colored variegated leaves with white, green and red coloration leaves. Plants appear to differ in foliage coloration with some showing almost whitish new growth and others with a white and green variegation. New growth displays the color. Keep trimmed to promote color and fullness. Does spred by underground runners.

Botanical names: Emblica officinalis, Phyllanthus emblica

Common names: Indian Gooseberry, Emblic Myrobalan, Amla, Amalaki, Amloki

Family: Phyllanthaceae

Origin: Northern and South Western India

Small to medium in size tree. The leaves are lacy, giving the tree a delicate look. Amla fruit paste is a major ingredient of Chavyanprash, a popular Ayurvedic tonic. Amla is known as amritphala in Sanskrit, which literally means the fruit of heaven or nectar fruit. It is so called because it is rich in many desirable properties. It was described in a 7th century Ayurvedic medical text. According to several scholars, the sage Chyawan is reputed to have restored his vitality with this fruit. The fruit is Aperient, Carminative, Diuretic, Aphrodasiac, Laxative, Astringent and Refrigerant; is useful in anaemia, jaundice, dyspepcia, haemorrhage disorders, diabetes, asthama and bronchitis. It cures insomnia and is healthy for hair. It is the richest known source of vitamin C. The fruit tastes bitter, but if you drink water after eating it, the water tastes sweet.