Leea indica
| Bandicoot berry (Leea indica) | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific name | Leea indica |
| Family | Vitaceae |
| Order | Vitales |
| Genus | Leea |
| Habit | Evergreen shrub or small tree |
| Fruit | Purplish-black berry, 5–15 mm wide, with up to six seeds |
| Light | Semi-shade to full sun |
| Soil | Moist, fertile, well-drained soil |
| Propagation | Seed, stem cuttings, and air layering |
Leea indica, commonly called bandicoot berry, is an accepted tropical species of the grape family, Vitaceae.[1] It is an evergreen shrub or small tree with large compound leaves, greenish-white flowers, and purplish-black berries.[2] The species is native to the Laccadive Islands, western and southern India, and Sri Lanka.[1]
Description[edit | edit source]
Leea indica commonly grows as a shrub or small tree, usually about 2–10 m tall, although larger plants have been recorded.[3] The leaves are large and twice- or thrice-pinnate, and the flowers are borne in terminal cymes. The fruit is round and changes to purplish-black at maturity; descriptions place it about 5–15 mm wide and report up to six seeds per fruit.[4]
Its native settings include wet tropical forest, secondary and riverine forest, alluvial ground, stream margins, and limestone sites. The plant is also associated with submontane habitats, extending in some accounts to about 1,200–2,500 m.[1][3]
Cultivation[edit | edit source]
Soil and water[edit | edit source]
Use a fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. A position resembling its native wet-forest or stream-margin setting is a useful starting point, provided excess water can drain away. Institutional cultivation guidance describes moderate water and moist, well-drained loamy soil; compiled horticultural guidance likewise places the species in moist fertile ground.[4][5]
Maintain even moisture during active warm-season growth, increasing irrigation attention during dry weather while preserving drainage. Avoid treating the plant's wet-tropical habitat as evidence of tolerance for stagnant soil or prolonged drought.
Sun and humidity[edit | edit source]
Leea indica grows in forest and secondary-forest settings but can also be grown in full sun. Semi-shade is a conservative choice for hot climates, while full sun is suitable where the root zone remains moist and the plant is not exposed to excessive drying.[3][4] The wet-tropical native range supports a humid, sheltered position, with sufficient airflow to keep dense foliage from remaining wet for long periods.
Seasonal changes[edit | edit source]
The species comes from a wet tropical climate rather than a strongly dormant seasonal regime. Keep moisture more consistent through the warm growing period and monitor exposed plants closely during dry or unusually cool weather. Its natural association with wet forest and the cultivation guidance for moderate water support this seasonal approach, but they do not provide a fixed irrigation calendar.[1][4]
Propagation[edit | edit source]
Propagation by seed and stem cuttings is documented, and air layering is also reported.[4][5] Seed maintains genetic diversity; cuttings or air layers preserve the characteristics of a selected parent. Treat each route as a separate propagation trial rather than assuming one timetable applies to all three methods.
Flowering, fruiting, and harvest[edit | edit source]
The flowers are bisexual and arranged in terminal cymes. Field observations recorded visits by ants, bees, wasps, and butterflies, while cultivation guidance describes insect and butterfly pollination.[3][4] These observations support maintaining insect access to flowering plants, but they do not establish self-compatibility or a requirement for a second plant.
Ripe fruit is round and purplish-black, generally about 5–15 mm wide, with up to six seeds.[4][5] Harvest identification can use the fully developed purplish-black color, but calendar timing and yield will depend on climate, plant age, and establishment.
Fruit and uses[edit | edit source]
The ripe berries are described as edible, and the species is recorded as a wild food plant.[4][5] That traditional-use description is not a food-safety test and does not establish medicinal benefit, flavor standard, or storage life.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ [4] NParks. Leea indica.
Image credits[edit | edit source]
- Leea indica foliage — Leea_indica_leaves.jpg, photograph by Vinayaraj, CC BY-SA 3.0. Individual file page.
