Premna serratifolia
(Blanco) L.
Creek Premna, Coastal premna
(c) 呂一起(Lu i-chi), some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by 呂一起(Lu i-chi)
(c) Dominik Maximilián Ramík, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Dominik Maximilián Ramík
(c) Lauren Gutierrez, some rights reserved (CC BY-ND)
What to Eat
Edible parts: Fruit, Seeds, Leaves
In Vietnam, the aromatic leaves of P. serratifolia are used to cook in some braise or stir fry dishes with chicken, eels or frogs.
Where to Find It
A tropical plant. It occurs in coastal vine thickets and on dunes. It grows in sandy soil along sea coasts and mangrove forests. It grows from sea level to 500 m altitude in Samoa. In Fiji it is usually below 200 m altitude. It grows in sandy soils and limestone. Mt Cootha Botanical Gardens.
Africa, American Samoa, Andamans, Asia, Australia, Bougainville, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, Brunei, Cambodia, Caroline Islands, China, Chuuk, East Africa, East Timor, Fiji, FSM, French Polynesia, Guam, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Marquesas, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mayotte, Micronesia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Pacific, Palau, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, Pohnpei, Rotuma, Samoa, SE Asia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yap,
How to Identify
A spreading shrub. It grows 2-4 m tall. It can be 12 m tall. The leaves are opposite and large. They are oval and shiny green. They are leathery and have prominent veins. The midrib is raised underneath the leaf. The flowers are in clusters near the ends of branches. They are greenish white. Fruit are small and green. They turn black at maturity.
How to Grow
Plants can be grown from seeds.
Propagation: Seed - Low branches often self-layer.
Medicinal Uses
The plant is extensively used in Indian traditional medicine. Studies on the root wood of P. serratifolia led to the isolation of acteoside, a glucoside derivative. The root bark of the plant which showed biological activities have also shown to contain a potent cytotoxic and antioxidant diterpene, 11,12,16-trihydroxy-2-oxo-5-methyl-10-demethyl-abieta-1,6, 8,11,13-pentene.
Other Uses
The bark is used as a binding material. The leaves and roots are used to perfume coconut oil. A dye is obtained from the root. The root-bark of this plant affords a yellowish-brown powder giving an orange-brown tincture with alcohol. The wood is a light, creamy brown. It is pleasantly scented, beautifully veined, close-grained, very hard and durable, though it can also be knotty and often crooked. It is much used in traditional construction and also for tool and knife handles, implements and paddles. The hard wood of the roots is used for making paddles and tool handles. The wood is used for fuel and also for making fire by friction. The plant is very easy to propagate by layering and cuttings so is used locally as a simple way to make hedges.
Wikipedia
Source ↗Premna serratifolia is a species of small tree or shrub in the family Lamiaceae. It blooms and fruits between May and November. During flowering season, it attracts a large number of butterflies and bees.
Other Information
The ripe fruit are often eaten by children.
Notes
Used in medicine. Also put in the family Verbenaceae. The leaves possibly improve a mother's milk supply.
Names & Synonyms
Adau, Agetha, Agnimanda, Agnimanthah, Aguyabat, Alagua-dagat, Aldas, Aloalo, Aran, Arani, Bachanige, Bagr, Baloh, Bhut-bhiravi, Bhuto bairi, Buas laut, Buas-buas, Chamari, Dhakandhaa, Dieng-lah-marwai, Eegigida, False elder, Gaebbu nelli, Ganiari, Ganioli, Genderi, Ghebboon nellie, Ginaveli, Gineri, Headache tree, Idibinerr, Kaar, Kayu buas, Khara-narvel, Ki pahan, Laban putih, Lambuas, Mara, Mooney do, Mothi-arni, Muney kiray, Munna, Munnay, Padda narva, Pohon malbo, Pohon premna batas, Pohon premna pantai, Pomantii, Singkel, Singkil alas, Takkite, Te ango, Ustabunda, Varvara, Yamgurum
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