Rotheca serrata (L.) Steane & Mabb.

An erect evergreen shrub. It grows 1-5 m tall. It branches from the base. The main stem is almost square with white spots on the green bark. The leaves are oval to heart shaped and taper quickly to the tip. Leaves grow in threes. The leaves are arranged in a cross shape and they have short stalks. They are narrowly oval and there are coarse teeth. They are dark green and shiny above and pale underneath. They are 5-30 cm long by 3-15 cm wide. The veins are greenish-purple and prominent near the base. The flowers are greenish or bluish white. They are surrounded by leafy bracts. The flowering shoots are at the top and at the ends of branches. When young they have a grey covering. These occur it the ends of branches. They are elongated. The flowers are large. The fruit are flattened berries.

It is a tropical plant. It grows near the edge of the sea. In Indonesia it grows from sea level to 1,500 m above sea level. It grows in grassland and open forests. In Yunnan.

The tender leaves are eaten raw or briefly roasted as a vegetable. They give a bitter flavouring. They are used in curries. The young unopened flowers are fried. The ripe fruit are roasted and made into chutney. The roots are eaten. They are dried and powdered and used to flavour liquor.

Plants can be grown from seeds or softwood cuttings. It can be grown as a hedge. It can also be grown from shoots from the roots.