Botanical Name: Aalius androgyna
Family: Phyllanthaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Malpighiales
Genus: Sauropus
Species: S. androgynus
Synonyms:
*Sauropus androgynus
*Aalius androgyna (L.) Kuntze
*A. lanceolata (Hook.f.) Kuntze
*A. oblongifolia (Hook.f.) Kuntze
*A. retroversa (Wight) Kuntze
*A. sumatrana (Miq.) Kuntze
*Agyneia ovata Poir.
*Andrachne ovata Lam. ex Poir.
*Clutia androgyna L. (basionym)
*Phyllanthus acidissimus Noronha
Common Names:Binahian,Katuk, Star gooseberry, or Sweet leaf
English name: Sweet Leaf Bush
Star Gooseberry
Sinhala name: Japan batu
Mella dumkola
Singappuru kola
Tamil name: Pallikkarputu
Habitat:Aalius androgyna is native to Srilanka, It grows in Karnataka: Shimoga Kerala: Idukki, Kannur, Kollam, Kozhikode, Malapuram, Palakkad, Pathanamthitta,Thiruvananthapuram
Description:
Aalius androgyna is an erect, perennial shrub growing to a height of 2.5 to 3 meters. Leaves are dark green, 2 – 6 centimeters long, 1.5 to 3 centimeters wide, usually with faint, grayish speckled markings on the upperside. Flowers are red and small, developing into round to angular white or purple fruit capsules measuring about 1.5 centimeter diameter.
Cultivation:
Breynia androgyna needs 0.8 cups of water every 9 days when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5.0″ pot.Use water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all plants.
Propagation:
- Propagated by stem cuttings.
- Harvested 4 months after planting.
- Tender young leaves harvested from the top 15 centimeters of the stem tips.
- A fast growing vegetable with abundant fruiting.
Edible Uses:
Tender leaves, shoot tips, flowers, and immature fruit are eaten boiled, steamed, stirfried, or in soups. Tender leaves can be added to sandwiches, meat, rice and curries, scrambled eggs, etc. as a garnish.
Medicinal Uses:
Parts used in Treatment: Roots
Consumption of Sauropus androgynus has been reported as being associated with bronchiolitis obliterans. It is used for the treatment of Headache, Fever, Urinary tract disorders,
Uterine disorders,Wounds
Known Hazards: The leaves are safe to eat in large quantities only after being cooked as heat seems to denature the toxin.
Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sauropus_androgynus
http://www.instituteofayurveda.org/plants/plants_detail.php?i=542&s=Scientific_name&L=A
