Myrsine is a genus of flowering plant belongs to Myrsinaceae family. It contains about 200 species in the world. Among them, there are 3 species of Myrsine are found in Nepal: Myrsine semiserrata, Myrsine capitellata and Myrsine africana.
Myrsine semiserrata:
It is a shrub to tree with 3-7m tall in height. Branchlets are slightly angular, 1.5-2mm in diameter. Leaf blade are elliptic to lanceolate, glossy, margin serrulate to middle, teeth callose, apex acute to acuminate. Inflorescence axiliary, umbellated or fascicled, ciliated, punctate. Flowers are white to yellowish around 2mm. Fruits are red with purple-black, globose and densely punctate.
In Nepal, it is locally known as Kali Kath found at an altitude of 1200-2700m. Ripen fruits are edible and wood is used as timber as well firewood and leaves are used as fodder. Seeds are used for the treatment tapeworms.
Myrsine semiserrata
Myrsine capitellata:
It is shrub or tree with upto 10m in height. Leaves are alternate, leaf-blade oblong-lance-shaped, dark green by 1.3-3.5cm. Flowers are arranged in a compact cluster on stubby inflorescence stalks along the stem. Fruits are ripen from pale green to pinkish purple and are 2.5-5 mm wide.
In Nepal, it is locally known as Seti Kath found at an altitude of 900-1800m. Ripen fruits are edible and wood is used for construction purposes and also for firewood. Leaves are used as fodder.
Myrsine capitellata
Myrsine africana:
It is a shrub 50-100 cm tall. Branchlets are terete. Leaf blade are obovate to orbicular, glabrous, minutely punctate abaxially, margin serrate, apex obtuse to rounded. Inflorescences axiliary, subumbellate or fascicled. Flowers are yellowish white 2-2.5mm, 4-merous. Fruits are red or purple-black, globose ca. 5mm in diameter.
In Nepal, it is locally known as Chapra found at an altitude of 1200-1300m. Ripen fruits are edible and leaves has been traditionally used for skin allergies.
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