Myrica esculenta

It is an evergreen tree, dioecious, grey bark with about 2-10m tall with about 40cm long trunk. Branchlets and buds are tomentose. Leaf blade narrowly elliptic-obovate or lanceolate-obovate to cuneate-obovate, adaxially dark green, rarely glandular, base cuneate, obtuse tip. Male inflorescence branched, erect or pendulous at apex. Male flowers without bracteoles. Stamens 3-7, anthers red, ellipsoid. Female inflorescence erect, many flowered, axiliary fascicles well spaced at maturity. Female flowers with 2 bracteoles, ciliate and golden glandular. Ovary velutinous, stigma 2, bright red . Drupes many per infructescence, red at maturity, usually ellipsoid and papilliferous.

It is locally termed as Kaphal in Nepal found at an altitude of 1200-2300m. Ripen berries are edible. Local tribes mainly used it for making pickles and refreshing drinks. Traditionally, the bark has been used for the treatment of cough, asthma, fever, chronic bronchitis, diarrohea, rheumatism, etc.

Some photos of Myrica esculenta from Chandragiri Hills, Nepal.