Willughbeia edulis
| Willughbeia edulis | |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Willughbeia edulis |
| Genus | Willughbeia |
| Family | Apocynaceae |
| Order | Gentianales |
| Growth form | Large climbing shrub; stems reported up to 30 m |
| Native range | Bangladesh, Assam, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam |
| Habitat and climate | Lowland primary rainforest; lowland wet tropics |
| Propagation | Seed |
| Fruit | Yellowish, ovoid, about lemon-sized and approximately 5 cm in diameter; edible and pleasantly flavoured |
| Harvest and use | Locally harvested fruit eaten raw |
Willughbeia edulis is an accepted species in the family Apocynaceae. GBIF places it in the genus Willughbeia and returns an exact species match.[1] The species is associated with lowland primary rainforest in the wet tropics of South and Southeast Asia.[2]
Description[edit | edit source]
Willughbeia edulis is a large climbing shrub. Its stems are reported to reach up to 30 m and use hooked, leafless branchlets to attach to surrounding vegetation; that maximum describes the reported climbing habit rather than a guaranteed cultivated size.[2]
The recorded range includes Bangladesh and Assam, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. The plant is associated with lowland primary rainforest and the lowland wet tropics.[2]
Cultivation[edit | edit source]
The documented rainforest setting makes Willughbeia edulis a wet-tropical climber for a warm, humid garden with substantial support. Occasional cultivation is reported, but the account does not establish a species-specific temperature limit, bearing age, or mature cultivated size.[2]
Soil and water[edit | edit source]
As a lowland-rainforest plant, it is reasonable to begin with a moisture-retentive but freely draining root zone and to avoid prolonged drying; this is a habitat-based inference, not a measured soil or irrigation limit.[2]
Sun and humidity[edit | edit source]
The rainforest climbing habit supports a humid, sheltered starting position with support for upward growth. Introduce stronger light gradually rather than assuming that a young plant will tolerate exposed conditions; this is a habitat-based inference, not a documented light threshold.[2]
Seasonal changes[edit | edit source]
In a climate with a pronounced dry season, keep the root zone from drying for extended periods and adjust irrigation to rainfall and active growth. This seasonal-care guidance is inferred from the species' lowland wet-tropical setting; a species-specific flowering or fruiting calendar is not given.[2]
Propagation[edit | edit source]
Seed is the documented propagation route. No germination percentage, seed-storage period, sowing schedule, or grafting method is established in the practical account, so those details should not be treated as fixed requirements for this species.[2]
Flowering, fruiting, and harvest[edit | edit source]
The species is reported to produce yellowish, ovoid fruit about the size of a lemon and approximately 5 cm in diameter. Local harvesting is recorded, but a fixed harvest month, yield range, and ripeness marker are not given.[2]
Fruit and uses[edit | edit source]
The fruit is reported as edible, locally appreciated, and eaten raw. Its flavour is described as pleasant. Fruit-to-fruit variation, seediness, and storage life are not specified.[2]