| BRIEF DESCRIPTION A small evergreen tree reaching 10-15 m in height. Leaves oblong, 10 cm long, Fruit a fleshy berry, reddish. USES The fruit is used as a lemon substitute, an oil expressed from the seeds is used for lighting and the tree is used for shade in tea plantations. GROWING PERIOD Perennial. COMMON NAMES Bira tai, Cay gioc. FURTHER INF Scientific synonym: G. tonkinensis. Bira tai occurs in Southern China, northern Laos, Vietnam and Taiwan. The tree is well adapted to shade and humid conditions. Flowering usually occur after pronounced dry weather and often twice a year. |