This Ardisia pyramidalis was given to us, 3 years ago, by Architect and Philippine native tree blogger Tristan Asuncion (http://philippinenativeforesttrees.blogspot.com/). Then, barely a few inches in height, it is now on its first year of maturity and is promising to provide a lot of seeds for propagation.
Local name : Aunasin
Botanical name : Ardisia pyramidalis
Family : Myrsinaceae
Specimen height : 1-2 meters
Leaf : Alternately whorled; Spathulate, margins smooth to obscurely serrate, bright green
Inflorescence : Small, 4-parted, pale purple, in terminal panicles
Fruiting season : Rainy months
Traits : Evergreen; Low to medium altitude tree, Shade-loving; Shrubby; Small tree
Recommendations : Backyards; Edible gardening; Farms; Hedging; Home gardens; Ornamental tree; Potted; Public spaces; Urban greening; Wildcrafting
Used for : Young leaves and leafy shoots are eaten as salad greens or as vegetable; Flowers and fruits are used to flavor fish
Native range : The island of Borneo and the Philippines
National conservation status : Not threatened in the Philippines
Further readings :
ASEAN Tropical Plant Database - Ardisia pyramidalis http://211.114.21.20/tropicalplant/html/print.jsp?rno=18
DENR Recommends Vol. 12 - FOOD FROM THE WILDERNESS (Mercedita A. Polinag) http://erdb.denr.gov.ph/publications/denr/denr_v12.pdf
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