Sageretia thea
(Osbeck) M. C. Johnston
Millet thorn, Sweet plum
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(c) Stargazer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
(c) Stargazer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
What to Eat
Edible parts: Fruit, Seeds, Leaves - tea
The ripe fruit are eaten raw, especially by children, and can also be used in brewing. The leaves are sometimes used as a tea substitute.
Known Hazards
Where to Find It
It is a tropical plant. In China it grows in mountain forests below 2,100 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan.
Afghanistan, Africa, Arabia, Asia, Central Asia, China, East Africa, Ethiopia, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Iran, Japan, Korea, Middle East, Myanmar, North Africa, Oman, Pakistan, SE Asia, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam, Yemen,
How to Identify
An evergreen shrub. The branches are stiff and slender and can end in a thorn. The leaves are narrowly oval and can be rough. There are small teeth around the edge. They are 1-4 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. The flowers are in interrupted groups along a stalk. The flowers are 3 mm across. The fruit is 4-5 mm long. It is black or dark brown. They have 3 lobes. Usually there are 3 seeds. There are some botanical varieties.
How to Grow
Found in the warm temperate to tropical zones, usually at higher elevations up to 2,100 metres.
Medicinal Uses
None mentioned.
Other Uses
The wood is very hard, white with irregular, dark-coloured heartwood.
Other Information
The fruit are eaten especially by children.
Names & Synonyms
Ankol, Burlcha, Dargola, Gongair, Khadgu, Kharo, Kichil agam, Kuro-ige, Kutku, Luozi, Mamanra, Sangdongnamu, Thum, Tia
References (17)
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- Altschul, S.V.R., 1973, Drugs and Foods from Little-known Plants. Notes in Harvard University Herbaria. Harvard Univ. Press. Massachusetts. no. 2631
- Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 539
- Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 191 (As Sageretia theezans)
- Flora of Pakistan. www.eFloras.org
- Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 586 (As Sageretia theezans)
- Hu, Shiu-ying, 2005, Food Plants of China. The Chinese University Press. p 530
- Hwang, H., et al, 2013, A Study on the Flora of 15 Islands in the Western Sea of Jeollanamdo Province, Korea. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity Vol. 6, No. 2 281-310 (As Sageretia theezans)
- J. Arnold Arbor. 49:378. 1968
- Ju, Y., et al, 2013, Eating from the wild: diversity of wild edible plants used by Tibetans in Shangri-la region, Yunnan, China, Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethno medicine 9:28
- Khan, A. H., et al, 2023, Traditional foraging for ecological transition? Wild food ethnobotany among three ethnic groups in the highlands of the eastern Hindukush, North Pakistan. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 19:9
- Lulekal, E., et al, 2011, Wild edible plants in Ethiopia: a review on their potential to combat food insecurity. Afrika Focus - Vol. 24, No 2. pp 71-121
- Singh, H.B., Arora R.K.,1978, Wild edible Plants of India. Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi. p 71
- Song, M., et al, 2013, Traditional knowledge of wild edible plants in Jeju Island, Korea. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge. 12(2) pp 177-194 (As Sageretia theezans)
- Uphof,
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
