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Phyllanthus androgynus
Species of flowering plant From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Phyllanthus androgynus, also known as katuk, star gooseberry, or sweet leaf, is a species of plant in the family Phyllanthaceae, native to tropical and subtropical Asia and grown in some areas as a leaf vegetable.
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Description
It is a shrub with multiple upright stems, reaching up to 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) tall and bearing dark green oval leaves about 5–6 cm (2.0–2.4 in) long.
Distribution and habitat
It is native to India, Bangladesh, southern China (including Hainan) and Southeast Asia.[2] It inhabits tropical and subtropical humid lowland forests, where it grows on brushy slopes and sunny forest margins from 100 to 400 m elevation.[1]
Freshly picked leaves (especially mature leaves) contain high levels of provitamin A carotenoids, and also contain high levels of vitamins B and C, protein and minerals.[3]
One study has suggested that excessive consumption of uncooked and juiced katuk leaves can cause lung damage due to its high concentrations of the alkaloid papaverine.[4]
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Cultural usage
It is one of the most popular leafy vegetables in South and Southeast Asia and is notable for high yields and palatability.[5] It can be cultivated specifically for edible asparagus-like stems using heavy fertilization, this cultivation variant is known as "Sabah vegetable." The stems are otherwise not edible.[6]
Indonesia
In Indonesia, the flowers, leaves, and small purplish fruits of Phyllanthus androgynus have been consumed and used traditionally by the Javanese and Sundanese ethnic groups as the alternative medicine in a form of Jamu (traditional concoction native to Java island, originally formulated by the Javanese) to improve the circulation of blocked breast milk for breastfeeding mothers.[7] According to modern research findings on the efficacy of this herb, indicates that the extract of the leaf increases the expression of prolactin and oxytocin genes 15 to 25 times in breastfeeding mice.[8]
Malaysia
In Malaysia, it is commonly stir-fried with egg or dried anchovies.
Vietnam
In Vietnam, the shoot tips have been sold in cuisine and used similarly like the asparagus; the locals usually cook it with crab meat, minced pork or dried shrimp to make a soup.
Medical
Various studies have confirmed that this plant has notable phytochemical constituents and various pharmacological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity activities.[9]
Although the exact cause is unknown, an association with bronchiolitis obliterans and the consumption of large quantities of uncooked leaves or raw juice leading to lung failure has been reported.[10][11][12]
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Nutrition
This plant is a good source of provitamin A carotenoids, and vitamin C and vitamin B.[3]
Leaves and fruit
Foliage
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Vernacular names
 | This section needs additional citations for verification. (May 2025) |
- In Chinese, it is called mani cai (马尼菜)
- In Filipino, it is called Chinese malunggay
- In Indonesian, it is called katuk
- In Japanese, it is called amame shiba (アマメシバ)
- In Javanese, it is called kaṭuk (ꦏꦛꦸꦏ꧀)
- In Tamil, it is called Thavasi Keerai (தவசிக்கீரை)
- In Telugu, it is called chakramuni aaku (చక్రముని ఆకు)
- In Malayalam, it is called Madhura cheera (lit. "the Madura's spinach") or Singapura cheera (lit. "the Singapore's spinach")
- In Sinhalese, it is called Singapore leaves ( සිංගප්පුරු කොල) or Japan Batu (ජපන් බටු)
- In Malay, it is called cekur manis (in Malaysian Malay), or asin-asin and cangkok manis (in Brunei Malay)[15][16]
- In Sundanese, it is called kaṭuk (ᮊᮒᮥᮾ)
- In Thai, it is called pak waan (or pak waan ban; to distinguish it from Melientha suavis, a completely different plant)
- In Vietnamese, it is called rau ngót
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References
External links
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