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Binayuyu or Black Currant Tree – Antidesma ghaesembilla
Family: Phyllanthaceae
Description: A small evergreen tree growing 3m – 12m tall with a 10-20cm thick trunk. Leaves are alternate and simple. Flowers are small and greenish yellow. Fruits look like clusters of grapes with tiny drupes colored green-red- dark purple. Fruits are from March-May.
Distribution: Southeast Asia, South China, India, Tropical Africa.
Habitat: In open locations like forest edges and along rivers.
Economic Importance: Wood is red, hard, and small with limited use and also for fuel. Fruits may be eaten raw and preserved as jams; young shoots are edible as vegetables and also for spice, leaves may be used for relieving fever, as a fruiting tree it is very attractive to birds.
Ecological Status: Widely distributed but scarce.