ຕົ້ນຜັກຫວານ ( Chekur Manis, Cekuk Manis, Sayur Manis, Pucuk Manis, Star Gooseberry, Sweet Leaf Bush, Katuk)

Aalius androgyna (L.) Kuntze
Aalius oblongifolia (Hook.f.) Kuntze
Aalius sumatrana (Miq.) Kuntze
Agyneia ovata Poir.
Andrachne ovata Lam.
Andrachne ovata Lam. ex Poir.
Clutia androgyna L.
Phyllanthus acidissimus Noronha
Phyllanthus androgynus (L.) Chakrab. & N.P.Balakr.
Phyllanthus androgynus (L.) J.A.González
Phyllanthus speciosus Noronha
Phyllanthus strictus Roxb.
Sauropus albicans Blume
Sauropus albicans var. gardnerianus (Wight) Müll.Arg.
Sauropus albicans var. genuinus Müll.Arg.
Sauropus albicans var. intermedius Müll.Arg.
Sauropus albicans var. zeylanicus (Wight) Müll.Arg.
Sauropus androgynus (L.) Merr.
Sauropus convexus J.J.Sm.
Sauropus gardnerianus Wight
Sauropus indicus Wight
Sauropus macranthus Fern.-Vill.
Sauropus oblongifolius Hook.f.
Sauropus parviflorus Pax & K.Hoffm.
Sauropus scandens C.B.Rob.
Sauropus sumatranus Miq.
Sauropus zeylanicus Wight

Phyllanthaceae

ຜັກຫວານປ່າ / Melientha
ໄຄ້ຂົມ / Mekong curry flower

Breynia androgyna (L.) Chakrab & N.P Balakr is a tall, bushy shrub with a single trunk, growing up to 3 metres tall. The leaves are single, arranged alternately, and are lanceolate (narrow) or oblong (rectangular), measuring 2 to 7 cm in length and 1 to 3 cm in width, with smooth edges. The upper surface of the leaves is a darker green colour compared to the lower surface.

The flowers are unisexual, with the female flowers appearing before the male ones in clusters on the underside of the branch. The stem of the male flower is slender, measuring 5 to 7 mm in length. The calyx (flower cup) is shallow and wavy. The flowers are yellow and range from 5 to 12 mm in diameter. The petals are oval and consist of 6 petals that curve inward to cover the anthers (the pollen-producing part). There are 3 stamens with the filaments (stalks) joined together and the anthers oriented to the right.

The stems of the female flowers measure 6 to 8 mm in length. The calyx of the female flower is red and has 6 lobes. The sepals (the outer parts of the flower) are obovate (teardrop-shaped) and triangular, with a base narrowing into a short claw. The ovary is divided into three chambers and produces fruit that is white to pinkish in colour, which opens with 3 thin, crusty valves [4].

Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Viet Nam
Global distribution of Cekur Manis between 2004 to 2024. Source: [5]

Northern Annamites
Southern Mekong Corridor

Plantation forest
Evergreen forest
Mixed deciduous forest
Old bush fallow
Home gardens

Native

Not invasive

Least concern

None

Food
Medicine

Food: In Southeast Asia, various parts of the plant, including the leaves, stems, flowers, and young fruits, are commonly consumed as vegetables, prepared through methods such as stir-frying, boiling, or steaming [7]. The leaves can be consumed whether raw or cooked and are often added to soups or cooked with rice [6]. Ripe fruits are used to make sweets, and the leaves are used to produce a green dye suitable for colouring food [6]. Medicine: In South Asia, Southeast Asia, and China, this plant holds a prominent place in traditional medicine for addressing a diverse array of health issues, including hypertension, diabetes, vision loss, and conditions affecting the gastrointestinal and urinary systems. Additionally, it is employed to stimulate lactation, aid in weight loss, and facilitate wound healing. Certain medicinal applications of this plant are corroborated by laboratory studies demonstrating its beneficial properties, such as antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects [7]. The leaves are used as a medicine for coughs and to soothe the lungs, and also to treat internal fever [6].

Both

May
June
July
August
September

Threat: This species is not currently facing any threats [6].

Sustainable: This species is described as widely cultivated and GBIF data shows that it is abundant [6].

N/A

N/A

Nutrient	/100g	Remark
Proteins	N/A	N/A
Carbohydrates	N/A	N/A
Fats	N/A	N/A
Vitamins	N/A	N/A
Minerals	N/A	N/A
Fibers	N/A	N/A

Cekur Manis plant. [1] iNaturalist [Online]. Uploaded on 8 January 2024 by: carol1970. Available: https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/352324159. [Accessed: 24 September 2024].
Leaves of the Cekur Manis plant. [2] iNaturalist [Online]. Uploaded on 8 May 2024 by: ytw. Available: www.inaturalist.org/photos/380899290. [Accessed: 24 September 2024].
Flower and fruit of the Cekur. [3] iNaturalist [Online]. Uploaded on 8 May 2023 by: rogerriodias. Available: https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/278671112. [Accessed: 24 September 2024].

[4] P. Preetha and D. Drisya, "Heavy Metal Screening Using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) in Breynia androgyna (L.) Chakrab. and N.P. Balakr. Leaves," Research Article, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 133-140, 2021
[5] Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), “Breynia androgyna (L.) Chakrab. & N.P.Balakr.” [Online]. Available: https://www.gbif.org/species/9197670. [Accessed: 24 September 2024].
[6] IUCN Red List, “Breynia androgyna (L.) Chakrab. & N.P.Balakr.,” [Online]. Available: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/183248426/183248512. [Accessed: 24 September 2024].
[7] FloraFaunaWeb, “Breynia androgyna (L.) Chakrab. & N.P.Balakr.,” [Online]. Available: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/2/4/2427. [Accessed: 8 May 2024].