Native wild edible : Antidesma ghaesembilla

Native wild edibles, Salvaged, What we grow

Jun 282012

Specimen : Wild trees

Habitat : Open grassland and dry thickets

Local names : Binayuyu, Binayuyo

Trade name : Black currant tree

Botanical name : Antidesma ghaesembilla

Family : Phyllanthaceae

Specimen height : 6-8 meters

Trunk : Erect, branching high or low; Bark deeply fissured, ash to dark grey

Leaf : Alternate; Oblong to obovate, small, dark green;
Veins nearly inconspicuous; Firm or leathery

Fruit : Clusters of tiny drupes, light green to deep purple; Not ripening simultaneously

Fruiting season : April to August

Traits : Dioecious; Drought tolerant; Evergreen; Fast growing; Grassfire tolerant; Small tree; Wind hardy

Recommendations : Backyard fruit; Erosion control; Home gardens; Living fence; Living trellis; Nurse tree; Ornamental tree; Pioneer species for reforestation purpose on drier areas; Riparian mangement; Roadside tree; Urban greening; Wildcrafting

Used for : Fruits are edible and may be made into wine and preserves; New shoots are cooked as vegetable or are used as spice / flavoring; Leaves have medicinal uses; Timber for small and temporary constructions (house posts and beams); Firewood and charcoal

Native range : Africa, India, Southeast Asia (including the Philippines) to Australia

National conservation status : Not threatened in the Philippines

Threat : Cutting of wild trees for fuel and charcoal production