Food Plants International

Food plants 

of 

Papua New Guinea 

A compendium 

Revised edition 

1 

Bruce R French

3 

Using this information 

and 

finding other information 

It remains the author’s desire 

that the information in this revised edition of this book 

be used or copied wherever appropriate 

to increase interest in, knowledge of, and pride in 

food production in the tropics, 

especially Papua New Guinea. 

There are another 600 minor edible plants in Papua New Guinea that are not included in this 

book. For information about them you will need to look at the FPI Food Plants of Papua New 

Guinea database. This database also lists all the alternate scientific names and many other local 

language names and has coloured photographs and references for where to find other 

information. For the other thousands of edible plants, many of which are suitable for the tropics, 

including Papua New Guinea, you will need to look in the FPI Edible Plants of the World 

database. (FPI is an abbreviation for Food Plants International). 

If you want additional information of the insects and diseases mentioned in this book you will 

need to look at the books, “Insect Pests of Food Plants of Papua New Guinea” and “Diseases 

of Food Plants of Papua New Guinea.” These are available as pdf books which can be read on 

computer. (Or printed out). These will explain how to find out about the insect or disease you 

want. The Insect Pests of Food Plants of Papua New Guinea database has coloured photos. 

It would be appreciated if prior permission were sought before any commercial reproduction of 

the information was undertaken. Otherwise, if you find electronic copies you can copy and 

distribute them to friends or print out copies as you choose. 

Present address of author: 

38 West St 

Burnie 

Tasmania 7320 

Australia 

Phone (03) 64321080 

Email: bfrench@vision.net.au

4 

Dedication 

This book is dedicated to our Creator 

for the amazing provision and fascinating variety 

of food plants that he has provided. 

It is also dedicated to 

the 3 billion 

hardworking farmers and families around the world 

who cultivate these or other food plants 

for their own subsistence 

and who help conserve them in their rich diversity 

for other people to enjoy. 

Publication 

This edition of 

Food Plants of Papua New Guinea 

is made available as 

an electronic book in pdf format 

in 2006 

Privately published 

This second edition of this book has been compiled 

with the support and assistance of 

my Christian and supportive friends.

Contents 

Root crops and starchy staples 7 

Beans and food legumes 49 

Edible green leaves or kumus 83 

Ferns 130 

Palms 166 

Vegetables 199 

Pumpkin family vegetables 207 

Waterlilies 283 

Nuts 291 

Pandanus 314 

Fruit 366 

Including Custard apple family 385 

Including Citrus 406 

Herbs, Spices and flavourings 521 

Indexes 

Scientific name 551 

Common name 560 

Tok Pisin name 567 

5

Root and tuber crops and starchy staple foods 

8 

English name Tok Pisin name Scientific name Page 

Sweet potato Kaukau Ipomoea batatas 9 

Ipomoea macrantha 11 

Taro Taro tru Colocasia esculenta 12 

Chinese taro Singapo Xanthosoma sagittifolium 14 

Swamp taro Cyrtosperma merkusii 16 

Giant taro Paragum Alocasia macrorrhiza 17 

Elephant foot yam Amorphophallus paeonifolius var. 

19 

campanulatus 

Polynesian arrowroot Tacca leontopetaloides 21 

Greater yam Yam tru Dioscorea alata 23 

Nummularia yam Yam tru Dioscorea nummularia 25 

Lesser yam Mami Dioscorea esculenta 26 

Potato yam Dioscorea bulbifera 28 

Five leaflet yam Dioscorea pentaphylla 30 

Bitter yam Dioscorea hispida 31 

White Guinea yam Dioscorea rotundata 32 

Cassava Tapiok Manihot esculenta 33 

Potato Peteta Solanum tuberosum 35 

Kudzu Pueraria lobata var. lobata 37 

Yam bean Pachyrrhizus erosus 38 

Queensland arrowroot Canna edulis 39 

Jerusalem artichoke Helianthus tuberosus 40 

Oca Oxalis tuberosa 41 

Anu Tropaeolum tuberosum 42 

Ulucco Ullucus tuberosus 43 

Banana Banan Musa sp (A &/or B genome) cv. 44 

Sago Saksak Metroxylon sagu 46 

Solomon’s sago Saksak Metroxylon salomonense 48

9 

Names 

English: Sweet potato Scientific name: Ipomoea batatas (Linnaeus) Lam. 

Tok pisin: Kaukau Synonyms: 

Tok ples: Plant family: Convolvulaceae 

Description: This is a root crop that produces long 

creeping vines. The leaves are carried singly along the 

vine. Leaves can vary considerably from divided like 

fingers on a hand to being entire and rounded or heart 

shaped. At the end of the vine, trumpet shaped flowers 

grow. They are purple. Under the ground fattened 

tubers are produced. There are a large number of 

varieties that vary in leaf shape and colour, tuber shape, 

colour, texture and in several other ways. 

Distribution: They grow in the tropics and subtropics. 

They grow from sea level up to some of the highest 

gardens at about 2700 m altitude in the tropics. Plants 

can grow with a wide range of rainfall patterns and in 

different soils. Plants are killed by frost and can't stand 

water-logged soils. Sweet potato cannot tolerate shade. 

It suits hardiness zones 9-12. 

Cultivation: Vine cuttings are used for planting. In grassland soils it is grown in mounds, ridges 

or other raised beds. In bush fallow, it is mostly planted in undug loose soils. It needs a sunny 

position. Tubers won't form if the ground is waterlogged when tubers start to develop. Sweet 

potato is grown using cuttings of the vine. About 33,000 cuttings are required per hectare. 

These weigh about 500 kg. Vine lengths of about 30 cm are optimum. As long as the vine is 

adequately inserted in the soil, the length of vine inserted does not significantly affect yield. 

Fresh sweet potato seeds germinate relatively easily and lead to continuous production of new 

cultivars under tropical conditions. Excess nitrogen restricts storage root initiation and therefore 

excess leaves are produced without significant tuber yield. Dry matter percentage increases with 

increasing age of the crop. Higher dry matter tubers are normally preferred. 

Production: Sweet potato tends to be responsive to potassium fertiliser. Cultivars are often 

selected for yield under low fertility conditions. Under lowland conditions in the tropics sweet 

potato tubers undergo active tuber enlargement from 6 to 16 weeks. Weed control is essential 

especially during early stages of growth. The rate of ground coverage by foliage varies greatly 

with growing conditions and cultivar but once ground coverage has occurred weed control is less 

of a problem. Sweet potato tuber initiation is subject to aeration in the soil. Either heavy clay 

soils, waterlogged conditions or other factors reducing aeration can result in poor tuber 

production. For this reason sweet potatoes are often grown on mounded beds. The time to 

maturity ranges from 5 months to 12 months depending on the variety planted and the altitude at 

which it is being grown. Yields range from 6-23 t/ha. 

Use: The tubers and leaves are edible cooked. 

Food Value: Per 100 g edible portion 

Edible Moisture Energy Protein Calcium Iron proVit A proVit C Zinc 

part % KJ g mg mg µg mg mg 

Leaves 86.3 168 3.9 2.9 1700 58 

Tubers 72.0 363 1.1 1705 15 0.3

10 

Insects: 

Achaea janata (Linnaeus) Noctuidae (LEP) Cacao false looper 

Agrius convolvuli (L.) Sphingidae (LEP) Sweet potato hornworm 

Aphis sacchari Zehntner Aphididae (HEM) Sugarcane aphid 

Apirocalus cornutus (Pascoe) Curculionidae (COL) Horned weevil 

Argina cribraria (Clerck) Arctiidae (LEP.) 

Atractomorpha crenaticeps Blanch Acrididae (ORTH) 

Aulacophora spp. Chrysomelidae (COL) Pumpkin beetles 

Bedellia somnulentella (Zeller) Lyonetiidae (LEP) Sweet potato leaf miner 

Bemisia tabaci (Guen.) Aleyrodidae (HEM) Tobacco whitefly 

Cylas formicarius elegantulus (Summers) Curculionidae (COL) Sweet potato weevil 

Ectropis sabulosa Warr. Geometridae (LEP) Cacao looper 

Epilachna signatipennis Boisd. Coccinellidae (COL.) Leaf eating beetle 

Halticus tibialis Reut Miridae (HEM) Grass bug 

Helopeltis clavifer (Walker) Coreidae (HEM) Cacao mired 

Hippotion celerio (L.) Sphingidae (LEP) Taro hawkmoth 

Omphisa spp. Pyralidae (COL.) Sweet potato stem borer 

Phaneroptera brevis Serv Tettigoniidae (ORTH) 

Solephyma papuana Galerucidae (COL.) 

Tiracola plagiata Walk Noctuidae (LEP) Cacao armyworm 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungus Ascochyta convolvuli 

Collar rot Fungus Athelia rolfsii 

Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora bataticola 

Black rot Fungus Ceratocystis fimbriata Ell. & Hallst. 

Leaf spot Fungus Didymella sp. 

Scab Fungus Elsinoe batatas Jenkins & Viegas 

Scurf Fungus Moniliochaetes infuscans 

Leaf spot Fungus Phoma sorghina 

Stems with internalbrowning Fungus Phomopsis ipomoea-batatas 

Leaf spot Fungus Phyllosticta sp. 

Leaf spot Fungus Pseudocercospora timorensis Cooke 

Soft rot Fungus Rhizopus stolonifer (Fr.) Lind. 

Tuber rot Fungus Botrydiplodia theobromae 

Bacteria Erwinia sp. 

Bacteria Erwinia chrysanthemi 

Fungus Fusarium sp. 

Fusarium wilt/ tuber rot Fungus Fusarium oxysporium Schlecht. ex Fries 

Storage rot Fungus Aspergillus sp 

And Choanephora sp. 

And Mucor sp. 

Blue mould rot Fungus Penicillium sp. 

Charcoal rot Fungus Macrophomina phaseolina 

Little leaf & vein clearing Mycoplasma like organism 

Potyvirus leaf curling Virus 

Pests: 

Rats often eat sweet potato in the gardens. 

Importance: 

This is the most important food plant in Papua New Guinea. It is particularly important 

in highland grassland areas.

11 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Ipomoea macrantha Roemer & Schultes 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Ipomoea tuba (Schlechtend.) G. Don 

Tok ples: Fongaar Plant family: Convolvulaceae 

Description: A tuberous rooted vine with large round 

leaves. It is a vigorous climber reaching 4-5 m high. 

The vine is irregular in cross section. The leaves are 

large and rounded. They are 9-15 cm across. The leaf 

stalk is 6-12 cm long. The flowers can occur as one or 

several together. The sepals become large and fleshy in 

the fruit. The capsule is a large dry one with a fleshy 

lid and has 4 or less black seeds inside. The seeds are 8 

mm long by 12 mm wide. 

Distribution: It occurs at low altitudes probably up to 

1300 m. It is a plant of the drier open woodland areas. 

It grows naturally near the beach. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from top pieces of the fleshy root. They need a trellis or tree for 

the long vines to climb over. The tubers are harvested when the leaves die back. 

Production: The tuber is reported to be able to be stored. 

Use: The fleshy roots are cooked and eaten like a yam. 


Edible Moisture Energy Protein 

part 

Tuber 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot probably due to a fungus 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: 

In Papua New Guinea it is a moderately important root crop grown in yam gardens in the 

Morehead area. 

Zinc 

mg

12 

Names 

English: Taro Scientific name: Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott 

Tok pisin: Taro tru Synonyms: Colocasia antiquorum Schott 

Tok ples: Plant family: Araceae 

Description: This plant has large flat leaves on the end 

of upright leaf stalks. It grows up to 1 m high. The leaf 

stalk or petiole joins the leaf towards the centre of the 

leaf. The leaves are 20-50 cm long. Near the ground a 

thickened rounded corm is produced. Around this plant 

there is normally a ring of small plants called suckers. 

Many different varieties occur. If left to maturity, a lily 

type flower is produced in the centre of the plant. It has 

a spathe 15-30 cm long that is rolled inwards. The 

flowers are yellow and fused along the stalk. 

Distribution: Taro grows from sea level up to about 

2300 m altitude in the tropics. It grows well in humid 

places. It can stand damp soil and grow under light 

shade. It suits hardiness zones 9-12. 

Cultivation: Taro can be planted from cormels or from the top of the central corm. Other 

sections of the corm could also be used but this is not commonly done. They are normally put 

into a hole and allowed to grow upwards. Plants are put into a hole 5-7 cm deep or deeper. Setts 

of about 150 g are optimum. Taro can be grown under flooded conditions but root rots develop if 

the water becomes stagnant. Taro is sensitive to weed competition throughout most of its growth, 

but it is more critical during early growth up to 3 - 4 months. About 7-9 weedings are required, 

to keep the crop clean under tropical lowland conditions, where flooding is not used. A spacing 

of 60 cm x 60 cm is common. 

Production: The general growth pattern is for an increase in top growth, in terms of leaf 

number, leaf area and petiole length, to continue for about 6 months under tropical lowland 

conditions then for each of these to decrease and tuber storage to continue to increase. Corm 

weight increases significantly from 5 to 11 months. Starch content also increases with time but 

protein content declines over the corm development period. Crops mature in 6-18 months. 

Yields of 5-15 tonnes per hectare are probably average. 

Use: The corm, leaves, and stalks are cooked and eaten. 

Caution: Some varieties burn the throat due to oxalate crystals. 




Corms 66.8 1231 1.96 0.68 3 5 3.2 

Leaves 92.2 100 2.7 1.2 424 35.5 0.2 

Insects: 

Acrocercops sp. Gracillariidae (LEP) Aibika leaf miner 

Agrius convolvuli L. Sphingidae (LEP) Sweet potato hawkmoth 

Aphis gossypii Glover Aphididae (HEM) Melon aphid 

Astacops flavicollis Walk. Lygaeidae (HEM.) 

Astacops villicollis (Stal.) Lygaeidae (HEM.) 


Dermolepida nigrum (Non f.) Scarabaeidae (COL) Dermolepida beetles

13 

Dermolepida noxium Britton Scarabaeidae (COL) Dermolepida beetles 


Gesonula mundata sanguinolenta Kraus Acridiidae (ORTH.) 

Heliothis armiger Huebner Noctuidae (LEP) Corn earworm 

Hippotion celerio (L.) Sphingidae (LEP) Taro hawkmoth 

Oribius cinereus Mshl. Curculionidae (COL) Shot hole weevils 

Oribius cruciatus Fst. Curculionidae (COL) Shot hole weevils 

Oribius destructor Mshl. Curculionidae (COL) Shot hole weevils 

Oribius inimicus Mshl Curculionidae (COL) Shot hole weevils 

Papuana biroi End. Scarabaeidae (COL) Taro beetles 

Papuana huebneri Fairm. Scarabaeidae (COL) Taro beetles 

Papuana japenensis Arrow Scarabaeidae (COL) Taro beetles 

Papuana laevipennis Scarabaeidae (COL) Taro beetles 

Papuana semistriata Scarabaeidae (COL) Taro beetles 

Papuana trinodosa Prell. Scarabaeidae (COL) Taro beetles 

Papuana woodlarkiana (Montr.) Scarabaeidae (COL) Taro beetles 

Pentalonia nigronervosa Coq Aphididae (HEM) Banana aphid 

Spodoptera litura (Fab) Noctuidae (LEP) Cluster caterpillar 

Tarophagus colocasiae Delphacidae (HEM) Taro leafhopper 

Tarophagus persephone Delphacidae (HEM) Taro leafhopper 

Tarophagus proserpina (Kirk) Delphacidae (HEM) Taro leafhopper 


Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora sp. 

Blossom blight Fungus Choanephora cucurbitarum (Berk. & Rav.) Th. 

Brown leaf spot Fungus Cladosporium colocasiae Sawada 

Leaf spot Fungus Colletotrichum sp. 

Mitimiti disease ? Hirschmanniella miticausa 

Leaf spot Fungus Leptosphaerulina trifolii 

Leaf spot Fungus Neojohnstonia colocasiae 

Shot hole Fungus Phyllosticta colocassicola 

Blight Fungus Phytophthora colocasiae Racib 

Diffuse yellow leaf spot Fungus Scolecobasidium sp. 

Leaf blight Fungus Thanatephorus cucumeri 

Root rot Fungus Pythium spp. 

Mosaic Virus Dasheen mosaic virus 

Dwarfed wrinkled plants Viruses Alomae & Bobone viruses 

Root rot Fungus Fusarium solani 

and Periconia sp. 

Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne sp. 

With corm rot Fungus Botrydiplodia theobromae 

And Chaetophoma sp 

And Rhizoctonia sp. 

and Athelia rolfsii 

Corm and stem rot Bacteria Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora 

Bacterial leaf blight Bacteria Xanthomonas campestris pv. aracearum 

Pests: 

Importance: 

It has been a very important food plant in Papua New Guinea. In some areas it is still important 

but in other areas it has declined because of insect and disease problems.

14 

Names 

English: Chinese taro Scientific name: Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.) Schott 

Tok pisin: Taro kongkong, Singapo Synonyms: 


Description: A herb up to 2 m tall. It has a short 

stem. At the top of the stem it produces large 

leaves. A corm is produced at the base of the 

plant. It produces about 10 cormels on the 

underground corm. These are about 15-25 cm 

long and flask shaped. They get wider towards 

the tip. Leaves are large and the stalk joins to the 

edge of the leaf. The leaves stand erect on stout 

petioles. There is a vein around the edge of the 

leaf. The leaf stalks can be 1 m long. The leaf 

blade is oval and 50-75 cm long. The leaf has 

triangular lobes at the bottom. The flower is 

produced below the leaves. The large bract 

around the flower is pale green and about 20 cm 

long. The base of this bract overlaps. The 

closely arranged spike of flowers is about 15 cm 

long. The smaller female section is at the bottom 

and the male section is larger and towards the top. 

Distribution: It suits tropical rainforest regions. It can stand high rainfall. It can tolerate light 

shade. It grows from sea level up to about 2000 m. Soils need to be well drained but should be 

moist. 

Cultivation: Xanthosoma taro is normally planted by using the top piece of the main central 

corm or stem. Pieces weighing 1.5 kg are often used. It can also be grown by using the small 

side corms that may weigh 0.3 kg; or pieces of the corm can be used as long as they have some 

buds on them. These are often presprouted before planting. To multiply large amounts of 

planting material and still achieve acceptable yields, the latter method of using sections of the 

main corm works well. In crop growth, an axillary bud is produced in the axil of each leaf but 

only some of these develop into cormels. Often 10 or more cormels develop per plant into 

cormels 15-25 cm long. 

Production: The crop duration is about 9 months although crops are often left for 12 months 

before harvesting. Plants are often planted to make the maximum benefit of natural rainfall. 

They can be planted at any time of the year but in dry areas the middle of the dry season should 

be avoided. Plants are spaced at varying distances but there is often about 0.9m x 1.5m between 

plants. If soils are hard and compact, yields are low. The water table needs to be 45 cm below 

the soil surface. It can grow in light shade and in poorer soils. 

Use: The small side corms are eaten roasted or boiled. 

Young leaves can be eaten after cooking. 




Corms 67.1 559 1.6 0.4 5 13.6 0.5 

Leaves 90.6 143 2.5 2.0 3300 37

Main corms are often fed to pigs. 

Insects: 

Aspidiotus destructor Signoret Diaspididae (HEM) Coconut scale 

Chrysomphalus dictyospermi (Morgan) Diaspididae (HEM) Armoured scale 

Hemiberlesia palmae (Cockerell) Diaspididae (HEM) Armoured scale 

Icerya seychellarum (Westwood) Margarodidae (HEM) Soft scales 

Papuana spp. Scarabaeidae (COL) Taro beetles 

Planococcus dioscoreae Williams Pseudococcidae (HEM) Tam mealy bug 

Planococcus pacificus Cox Pseudococcidae (HEM) Mealy bug 

Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni) Pseudococcidae (HEM) Longtailed mealybug 

Diseases: 

Root rot Fungi Phytophthora citricola 

and Phytophthora nicotianae 

and Pythium arrhenomanes 

and Pythium vexans 

and Rhizoctonia solani 

Nematodes ? Aphelenchoides sp. 

and ? Bursaphalenchus sp. 

Leaf spot Fungus Glomerella cingulata 

Leaf wrinkle Virus Bobone 

Leaf speckle Virus Dasheen mosaic 

Pests: 

Importance: 

It is of considerable importance in many coastal and mid altitude areas of Papua New 

Guinea especially in wetter areas. A major root crop in the humid tropics. 

15

16 

Names 

English: Swamp taro Scientific name: Cyrtosperma merkusii (Hassk.) Schott. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Cyrtosperma chamissonis (Schott) Merr. 


Description: A large perennial taro family plant up to 2-3 m 

high, with the pointy ends to the leaf lobes. The leaves are 

very large, upright and with points on the bottom lobes. The 

leaf stalks are up to 2.5 m long and 10 cm across. The leaves 

are 1.5 m long. Other aspects of the plant can vary such as 

kinds that are more spiny on the leaf stalks than others. The 

plants can grow up to 4 metres tall. Under the ground there is 

a large fattened rhizome or corm. This is shaped liked a 

cylinder and can be up to 70 kg in size. The plant produces a 

large purple lily type flower that then produces a group of 

seeds that are orange in colour. The plant produces suckers. 

The number of suckers varies with varieties 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant and grows from 18°N to 

20°S. It grows in fresh or brackish swamps up to 150 m 

altitude. Water 0.6-0.9 m deep and rich in humus is the 

environment used. It can stand shade. It can withstand 

flooding. It occurs in Papua New Guinea, the Solomons and 

the Philippines as well as in other countries. In Papua New 

Guinea it becomes important in Bougainville. It grows in 

fresh or brackish swamps up to 150 m altitude. It occurs on 

atoll islands. 

Cultivation: Plants are normally put in swamps or ditches. Parts of the main corm, or suckers 

can be used for planting. It can be intercropped with Colocasia taro. A spacing of 1.2 x 1.2 m is 

suitable. It normally receives little management. It is known to respond to organic matter. 

Production: Yields of 10-15 tons/year/ha have been recorded. It takes 2-6 years to mature. 

Tubers become more fibrous with time so that 2 years is a suitable harvesting time. Individual 

corms can weigh 2-50 kg. 

Use: The corms are peeled and boiled or roasted. They are also used to make flour. 

Leaves and young flowers can be eaten. 




Corm 

Leaves 

72.4 343 1.1 1.3 5 15.7 0.11 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: This taro is seen in some coastal areas of Papua New Guinea but only becomes 

important in some of the coral atoll islands. It is a major crop in Atoll Islands in the Pacific.

17 

Names 

English: Giant taro Scientific name: Alocasia macrorrhiza (L.) Schott 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Alocasia indica (Lour.) Spach 


Description: A very large herb. A taro family plant. It 

has a stout erect trunk up to 4 m tall. This has upright 

leaves which are arrow shaped. Leaves have round 

lobes at the bottom. The leaves are leathery and are 

often wavy around the edge. The secondary veins are 

not prominent. The leaf blade can be 1-1.2 m long. 

The leafy structure around the flower is yellow in the 

upper section. It forms a hood and drops off as the 

flower opens. The fruit are bright red berries. The 

corm is large, often curved and above the ground. It 

often has small cormels at the side. Brown trailing 

fibres of the leaf bases often hang from the stem. The 

leaves and petioles contain stinging crystals 

Distribution: It is widely distributed in open wetlands 

and along streams and in some types of humid forest. 

The plant grows wild from sea level up to 2600 m 

altitude in the tropics. Giant taro is a tropical plant and 

will not grow well below 10°C. It requires a well 

distributed rainfall and does not tolerate drought. Even 

though it grows along creek banks it cannot tolerate 

waterlogged soil. It is only used as food in a few 

coastal areas. Wild forms commonly seen growing are 

bitter and not used. It suits hardiness zones 11-12. 

Cultivation: The top of the main corm is planted. The small round cormels can be planted, but 

are slow to mature. A spacing of 1.2 x 1.2 m is suitable. Because the giant taro takes more than 

a year to be ready to harvest, it often ends up left growing in an old garden site without much 

care or weeding, until the owner wants to harvest it. 

Production: Corms of 8.5 to 40 kg have been harvested from individual plants of unknown age. 

The time to maturity is about 12 months but plants are often left for 2-3 years. 

Use: The stems and corms are eaten after roasting or boiling. 

The main corm is cooked and eaten after being carefully peeled. 

The young leaves are edible. 

Caution: The mouth can be irritated by chewing improperly cooked plant parts due to chemicals 

called oxalates. 




Corm 

Leaves 

84.0 256 0.6 1.0 0 5 1.5

18 

Insects: 

Aspidiella sacchari (Cockerell) Diaspididae Armoured scale 

Chaetanaphothrips orchidii F. Thripidae (THYS) Banana rust thrips 

Dysmicoccus nesophilus Williams Pseudococcidae (HEM) 

Eucalymnatus tessellatus (Signoret) Coccidae (HEM) 

Icerya seychellarum (Westwood) Margarodidae (HEM) 

Lepidosaphes gloverii (Packard) Diaspididae (HEM) 


Planococcus pacificus Cox Pseudococcidae (HEM) 

Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni) Pseudococcidae (HEM) Long tailed mealybug 

Pulvinaria ubicola (Cockerell) Coccidae (HEM) 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungus Mycosphaerella alocasiae Sydow 

Rust Fungus Uredo alocasiae P. Henn 


Yellow spot Alga Phyllosiphon sp. 

Pests: 

Importance: 

This taro is of local importance only in some coastal areas and islands of Papua New Guinea e.g. 

Rabaul, Namatanai. It is important in several Pacific Islands.

19 

Names 

English: Elephant foot yam Scientific name: Amorphophallus paeonifolius var. 

campanulatus (Decne.) Sivadasan 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Amorphophallus campanulatus (Decne); 


Description: A taro family plant but with a very 

divided leaf. It grows to 0.75-1 m high. It is a 

herbaceous plant with rough and mottled leaf 

stalks. It has a straight stem and the leaf is 

divided into leaflets. The leaves can be 1 m in 

width. The leaves usually come singly from the 

ground. The leaf blades are divided into many 

lobes. The leaflets can be 3-35 cm long and 2-13 

cm wide. The flower stalk can be 3-20 cm long. 

The bract around the flower is bell shaped and 

fluted. It can be 60 cm across. The edge is 

curved back and wavy. The flower is dull purple 

and up to 30 cm across. It can be 70 cm long. 

The flower gives of a bad smell like rotting meat 

and this attracts flies. The flower only develops 

after the leaves have died off. The leaves and 

corms especially in the wild varieties contain 

many stinging crystals. Edible kinds have a 

smooth petiole. It has a large round tuber up to 

25 cm across. The large round underground corm 

produces small corms around the side. These can 

be 10 cm long. These are usually used for 

planting. 

Distribution: It occurs mainly in seasonally dry areas and grassland up to 800 m altitude in 

equatorial zones. It requires an average temperature of 25-35°C and rainfall of 1000-1500 mm 

during the growing season. Soils need to be well drained as it cannot stand waterlogging. It 

occurs widely around the Philippines in low altitude places especially where people have cleared 

the forest. It is common in Indonesia and Vietnam. 

Cultivation: The cormels are planted. Seeds will grow but flowers need hand pollination. 

Small corms from around the side are the normal part planted. If a very small corm is planted, 

the plant may need to grow for several seasons to produce a large yield. Setts or small cormels 

of 200 g are suitable for use planted at 30 cm x 30 cm spacing and produce seed corms of about 

500 g. Larger corms take 3-4 years to produce. This is achieved by digging up corms and 

replanting next season. Each crop takes about 8 months to mature. Corms are planted 15 cm 

deep. Spacing is increased between plants in successive years of growth. After harvest, the 

corm needs to be kept for a few months before it is ready to produce a new shoot and regrow. 

Production: The stalk dies back when the plant is mature. The corm will keep for several 

months. An individual corm can finally weigh 8 kg. When it is planted a single leaf stalk is 

produced and the irregular shaped leaf is produced at the top of the stalk. Eventually the corm 

under the ground increases in size then the leaf dies back. The corm could be harvested and 

stored, or eaten at this stage. If it is just left, a very large flower is produced. This type of 

growth pattern where vegetative growth is followed by a storage organ that becomes dormant, is 

the type of growth that suits areas with a distinct wet and dry season. It has the advantage that 

the corm will store well after harvest and can be eaten in the dry season when food is short.

20 

Use: The corm is cooked and eaten. 

The leaves are edible. 

The young petioles or leaf stalks are eaten cooked. 




Corm 

Stalks 

78.0 340 2.0 2.4 0 6 1.1 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea this plant is only grown and used by people in a few 

locations. It is more important in some other countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam and India. 

Flower

21 

Names 

English: Polynesian arrowroot Scientific name: Tacca leontopetaloides (L.) O.Kuntze 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Tacca pinnatifida J. R. Forst. & G. Forst. 

Tok ples: Plant family: Taccaceae 

Description: A perennial herb with no stem but leaves 

up to 1 metre long and divided into 3 segments. The 

leaf stalks are 1.5 to 2 cm across and about 1 m long. 

The leaves are 1 to 1.5 m across and divided into 3 

parts that are again divided. A single flower stem 

grows up beside the leaf stem. The flowers are green 

and purplish on top of a 1 m long flower stalk. There 

can be 30-40 small flowers and several long spreading 

and drooping coloured bracts or long thin threads hang 

from the flower. The leaf and flower stalks are hollow 

and ribbed which helps distinguish it from the 

somewhat similar looking leaf of elephant foot yam 

(where it is smooth and solid). The fruits are yellowish 

green, long shaped and with 6 raised lines along the 

side. They can be 4 cm long and 2 cm wide and have 

several seeds inside. Under the ground there is a round 

swollen root or tuber. It can be 30 cm across and weigh 

1kg. Some varieties produce several smaller tubers. 

Distribution: It grows on the coast in the equatorial tropics and up to 200 m altitude and is 

mostly seen on sandy beaches, under coconuts and in grassland. It suits drier areas. It is grown 

on some of the coral atoll islands. It needs a neutral to acid pH. It needs fertile, humus-rich, 

well-drained soil. It can grow in light shade. This is a crop mainly grown in tropical Asia and 

Polynesia. It is also grown in East Africa. They occur throughout the Philippines near the 

seashores. It suits hardiness zones 10-12 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from division of the small tubers. A spacing 0.6 x 0.6 m is 

suitable. Polynesian arrowroot is a plant that grows during the wet season and dies during the 

dry season. When the leaves turn yellow and the plant dies back, the tubers are harvested. Small 

tubers are kept for replanting. Often plants just regrow naturally from these small tubers that are 

left in the ground after harvesting. The plant takes between 8 and 10 months to reach maturity. 

Plants can be grown from seed. The small tubers produced from seeds are then replanted or left 

to grow for another year. 

Production: Plants take 8-10 months to maturity. The tubers are scraped and mashed in cold 

water for 4-5 days. It is then prepared like sago. A tuber can weigh 1 kg. 

Use: The starchy tuber is eaten. The tubers are scraped and mashed in cold water for 4-5 days. 

It is then prepared like sago. That is, normally the tuber is scraped into small shreds and then 

washed in water. The starch is filtered out and allowed to settle. The starch is washed several 

times to get rid of bitterness that is common with this plant. To get clean white starch, the tuber 

needs to be carefully peeled. 

The starch can be hung in a cloth to allow the water to drain and then it can be sun dried. Once 

dry, the fine powdered arrowroot starch will store well in a sealed jar. The arrowroot starch is 

tasteless. The leaves have been recorded as eaten in Africa. The yellow fruit is also eaten by 

children in some places. The seeds are edible.

22 




Tuber 71.3 512 2.3 1.4 47 0.8 

Seeds 85.1 2.3 

Insects: 

Icerya seychellarum (Westwood) Margarodidae (HEM) Soft scale 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora taccae (Sydow) Chupp 

Pests: 

Importance: 

A minor root crop in Papua New Guinea. Of local importance in islands off North Solomons 

and in Milne Bay Province.

23 

Names 

English: Greater yam Scientific name: Dioscorea alata L. 

Tok pisin: Yam tru Synonyms: 

Tok ples: Plant family: Dioscoreaceae 

Description: A long angular vine. The stems are 

square and twine to the right around support sticks. 

The stem does not have spines. It is often coloured 

green or purple. The leaves are heart shaped and borne 

in pairs along the vine. The leaves vary is shape, size 

and colour with different varieties. Leaves can be 10- 

30 cm long by 5-20 cm wide. The leaf stalk is 6-12 cm 

long. The flowers occur in the axils of the upper 

leaves. The male flowers are in small heads along 

branched stalks. These can be 25 cm long and green. 

The female flowers are in shorter spikes. Many 

cultivated varieties do not produce fertile seed. The 

fruit are 3-winged and 2.5 cm long by 3.5 cm wide. 

The seeds when they occur have wings right around 

them. One large but often irregular shaped tuber occurs 

under the ground. A very large number of different 

varieties occur. The tubers can vary in shape, size, 

colour, texture and other ways. Some varieties produce 

bulbils along the vine. 

Distribution: It grows from sea level up to about 1800 m in the tropics. Yams are most 

important in seasonally dry areas. They need a well-drained soil and it has to have reasonable 

fertility. The temperature maximum is >30°C while the minimum is 20°C. The optimum 

temperature range is 25-30°C. Rainfall is often seasonal in yam areas and the maximum needs 

to be 14-20 weeks rain with an optimum of 1,150 mm during the growing season. Yams can 

tolerate drought but give maximum yields with high rainfall. The critical rain period is during 

the first 5 months. They cannot tolerate water logging. Light influences tuber growth. A 

continuous exposure of tubers to light significantly reduces tuber yields. Yams are influenced by 

daylength. Short days (less than 10-11 hours of sunlight) favour tuber development. It suits 

hardiness zones 10-12. 

Cultivation: Ceremonial yams have very specialised production techniques. For general food 

production, use top pieces of the tuber after they have sprouted, use a branched stick for support 

of the vine, space plants about 1 m apart and choose a smooth round cultivar. In most places the 

yam growth and maturity fits in with seasonal rainfall patterns. They are mostly planted just 

before the first rains where a 8-10 month rainy season exists and give better yields in 6-8 month 

rainy season areas when planted 3 months before the rains. Earlier planting requires larger sett 

size to withstand drying out. Because yam tubers have a period of dormancy, tubers do not 

normally commence regrowth for up to 5-6 months. A planting depth of 15 cm is suitable. 

Production: The time to maturity ranges from 5 months on the coast to 9 or 10 months at higher 

altitudes. Yams will store well for over 6 months if given a dry, dark, well ventilated shed. 

Use: The tubers are boiled, baked or mumued. 




Tuber 76.6 323 2.0 0.8 18 10 0.39

Insects: 

Abgrallaspis cyanophylli (Signoret) Diaspididae (HEM) Armoured scales 

Alcidodes australis Boisduval Curculionidae (COL) 

Aphis gossypii Glover Aphididae (HEM) Cotton aphid 

Aspidiella hartii (Cockerell) Diaspididae (HEM) Armoured scales 

Aspidiotus destructor Signoret Diaspididae (HEM) Armoured scales 

Chrysodeixis chalcites Esp. Plusiinae (LEP) 

Coccus hesperidium Linnaeus Coccidae (HEM) Soft scales 

Eupholus nickerli Hll. Curculionidae (COL) Weevils 

Gymnopholus weiskei Hllr. Curculionidae (COL) Weevils 

Harpedona plana Poppius Miridae (HEM) 

Hypolixus mastersi Pascoe Curculionidae (COL) 

Hyposidra talaca Geometridae (LEP) 

Icerya seychellarum (Westwood) Margarodidae (HEM) Soft scales 

Leptoglossus australis (Fab.) Coreidae (HEM) Passion vine bug 

Liliocerus sp nr. bakewelli Baly Crioceridae (COL) 

Liliocerus papuana (Jac.) Crioceridae (COL.) A small beetle 


Planococcus dioscoreae Williams Pseudococcidae (HEM) Yam mealy bug 

Planococcus pacificus Cox Pseudococcidae (HEM) Mealybug 

Platypeltocoris similis Popp Miridae (HEM.) Yam mirid sap sucker 

Senoclidia purpurata (F.Sm.) Tenthredinide (HYM) Yam sawfly 

Tagiades obscurus tindali Rbb Hesperiidae (LEP.) 

Tagiades tregellius Hopf. Hesperiidae (LEP.) 

Tagiades tregellius canonicus Hesperiidae (LEP.) 

Theretra nessus Dry. Sphingidae(LEP.) Yam hawkmoth 

24 

Diseases: 

Leaf spots Fungi Gloeosporium pestis Massee 

and Phyllosticta dioscoreae Cooke 

Leaf blotch Bacterium Xanthomonas sp. 

Rust Fungi Goplana dioscoreae Cummins 

and Goplana australis 

and Uredo dioscoreae-sativae Sydow 

and Uredo hiulca Cummins 

Anthracnose Fungus Glomerella cingulata (Stonem) Spauld & Schr. 

Mosaic Probably Virus 

Pests: 

Importance: 

In Papua New Guinea it is a very important ceremonial crop in some areas and a staple food in 

many seasonally dry areas.

25 

Names 

English: Nummularia yam Scientific name: Dioscorea nummularia Lamarck 

Tok pisin: Yam tru Synonyms: 


Description: A vine plant with long spiny stems. The 

stems are nearly round in cross section. The leaves are 

oval to heart shaped. They end abruptly in a pointed 

tip. Often they are alternate lower on the vine then 

opposite each other higher up the plant. The vines 

twine to the right. The stems are spiny near the base. 

The flowers are slender. The flower spikes occur on 

leafless branches produced in the axils of leaves and 

these are longer than the leaf near where they are 

produced. The flower spikes remain of equal size along 

the length of this flowering branch. Tubers are often 

deep in the soil and with several lobes 

Distribution: Mostly they occur in coastal areas. 

Outside Papua New Guinea it occurs in Fiji, Indonesia, 

Malaysia and the Solomon Islands. 

Cultivation: It can be grown from pieces of the tuber. It can also be grown from aerial tubers. 

Plants are often planted near trees so that the vine can climb the tree and the tuber is left growing 

in the same spot for several years with tubers being harvested annually. 

Production: The leaves die off and regrow each year. The tuber does not store well. 

Use: The tuber is cooked and eaten. 




Tuber 71.9 443 2.04 0.38 17 0.5 

Insects: 

Probably similar to yam tru. 

Diseases: 

Probably similar to yam tru. 

Pests: 

Importance: There is still some confusion about this yam. It is like yam tru but with round 

stems. 

A significant edible yam.

26 

Names 

English: Lesser yam Scientific name: Dioscorea esculenta (Loureiro) Burkill 

Tok pisin: Mami Synonyms: 


Description: A yam that has a spiny vine. It is a 

prickly climber. It can climb 1.2-2.4 m high and spread 

1.8 m across. The vine twines to the left. The leaves 

are round with a gap where the leaf stalk joins. They 

are almost heart shaped. The leaf is about 12 cm long. 

This yam produces a cluster (5-20) of tubers under the 

ground. In many varieties there are sharp thorns just 

under the ground. In China forms occur without these 

spines. Often the tubers are sticky when cut. Many 

kinds occur. The flowers are green, 4 mm across and 

borne on long slender spikes. These are singly in the 

axils of leaves. 

Distribution: It grows from sea level up to about 1500 

m but is mostly below 800 m. It cannot tolerate waterlogging. 

It needs a reasonably long rainy season. It 

needs a loose fertile soil. It does poorly on sandy soils 

and becomes misshapen in heavy clay soils. High 

levels of organic matter promote growth. It suits 


Cultivation: Normally small tubers are planted (50 - 75 g) but cut portions of a tuber can be 

used. Using either the top section or the bottom section of a tuber gives better establishment and 

yield than middle portions. Using larger tubers gives larger individual tubers and higher yields 

for individual plants. Using a plant spacing of 30 cm between plants and 100 cm between rows 

about 2,000 kg of planting material are used if 70 g tubers are used. Tubers are planted 8-12 cm 

below the ground. 

Planting in mounds makes harvesting easier. It also assists drainage and improves aeration. A 

spacing of 80 - 100 cm between plants is suitable. 

Planting is normally adjusted to fit in with the beginning of the rainy season. The growing 

season of 9-10 months is long and an extended wet season is therefore desirable. Stakes are 

required. Stakes 2 m long are sufficient. Lesser yams compete poorly with living plants used as 

shade. 

Weed control is probably most crucial during the first 3 months. As early growth of the plant is 

sustained from the tuber, fertilisers can be applied slightly after planting. Added nitrogen 

fertiliser is more effectively used when plants are staked. Nitrogen is of more benefit for leaf 

growth in the early stages of plant development. Potassium is beneficial but often phosphorus 

applications do not give significant responses as lesser yams are efficient at extracting it from the 

soil. High yields can be obtained. 

Production: High yields can be obtained. Plants take about 9 months to reach maturity. In 

some varieties and under some conditions leaves do not die off and tubers must be harvested to 

avoid tubers deteriorating as new growth commences. Tubers need to be harvested and handled 

carefully. They must often be cut from the vine and can be washed and dried. Tubers will store 

for about 3 months. They need to be stored under ventilated conditions. Fungal growth and rots 

easily occur on cut or damaged surfaces under damp conditions. Storage probably needs to be at 

temperatures above 15 °C. Tubers need to be peeled either before or after cooking. 

Use: The tubers are cooked and eaten.

27 




Tuber 74.2 470 2.06 0.75 84 20 0.5 

Insects: 

Aspidiella hartii (Cockerell) Diaspididae (HEM) 

Chrysodeixis chalcites (Esp.) Noctuidae(LEP) Green looper 

and others See list under Greater yam. 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungus Cylindrosporium dioscoreae Miy & Ito 

Leaf spot Fungus Guignardia dioscoreae 

Leaf spot Fungus Phyllosticta dioscoreae Cooke 

Dark brown leaf blotch Bacterium Xanthomonas sp. 

Mosaic leaf pattern Probably due to a virus. 

Pests: Rats are a problem with yams in storage. 

Importance: 

The most important of the yams in Papua New Guinea for efficient food production. Papua New 

Guinea has the best varieties in the world. 

Cluster of tubers 

Tuber shapes

28 

Names 

English: Potato yam Scientific name: Dioscorea bulbifera L. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: 


Description: A yam with a long smooth stemmed vine, 

round in cross section. It winds to the left. It does not 

have spines. The vine can climb up into trees and grow 

to long lengths. The leaves are large and round. They 

are pointed at the tip and round at the base. About 7 

veins arise from the tip of the leaf stalk. Leaves can be 

14-30 cm across and slightly longer than wide. This 

yam produces bulbils (potatoes) in the angles of the 

leaves along the vine. These are often flattened and can 

be grey brown or purple. Under the ground it has a 

smaller tuber normally covered with roots. The flowers 

are large. The male flowers are in spikes up to 20 cm 

long. The female spikes are usually in pairs. The fruit 

are winged and about 2.5 cm long by 1.5 cm across. 

The seeds have wings. The bulbils normally have few 

fibres through the tissue compared to some yams 

tubers. The flesh of many varieties is yellow. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. It will grow from the coast up to about 1700 m altitude in 

equatorial zones. It is common near the edge of grassland and forest at mid altitudes. Both wild 

and cultivated forms occur. It is common in the Philippines, Solomons and Papua New Guinea 

near secondary forest at low and medium altitudes. It is cultivated in Africa and the West Indies. 

In Nepal it grows to 2100 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 9-12. 

Cultivation: Either the bulbils off the vine, or the underground tubers are planted. Because the 

vines are long, training them up trees is convenient. The bulbils have to be stored for a period of 

time before they will sprout. The plant is annual and leaves die off for 1-4 months each year 

before re-sprouting from the tuber. Bulbils only grow shoots from one end unless the bulbil is 

cut into pieces. If the larger bulbils are cut, the cut surfaces should be dried and healed in a 

shady place for 2-3 days before planting. Bulbils are planted 8-12 cm below the surface and 

spacing can be 100 cm by 100 cm or variations of this. Normally nitrogen and potassium 

fertilisers give greater responses than phosphorus. Friable well-drained soils are most suitable. 

Often very little cultivation or mounding is done. A high level of organic matter improves yield. 

Staking is normally required but often trees or living stakes are used. Branched stakes 2 m high 

are suitable. They need to be strongly put in place as vine and tuber growth can be extensive and 

heavy. 

Production: Bulbils or aerial yams are produced as soon as leaves begin to unfold and continue 

until the plant reaches maturity. These aerial tubers often fall from the plant. Harvesting can 

start 3 months after planting but immature tubers have less starch. Underground tubers are 

normally not harvested until the leaves die back. Wounds and damage to the tuber surface 

normally heals naturally given dry aerated conditions. Some varieties have aerial tubers that are 

seasonally dormant and only grow after an extended period of storage. Others germinate 

relatively quickly. 

Use: The tubers are cooked and eaten. More commonly the aerial bulbils are eaten after 

cooking. 

Some kinds are bitter and inedible or at least require special processing and cooking. 

Some varieties are poisonous.

29 




Tubers 

Bulbils 

70.8 357 2.7 3.1 78 0.4 

Insects: 

Weevils chewing the leaves. Curculionidae (COL.) Eupholus spp. 

Diseases: 

Brown mould underneath leaf Fungus Cercospora ubi Racib 

Rust on leaves Fungus Uredo dioscoreae-sativae Sydow 

Pests: 

Importance: 

This yam is widely distributed in lowland areas of Papua New Guinea and is a supplementary 

starchy staple food.

30 

Names 

English: Five leaflet yam Scientific name: Dioscorea pentaphylla L. 



Description: A yam with a climbing vine 2-5 m long. 

The stems have scattered small spines. There are small 

tubers found in the axils of the leaves as well as larger 

underground tubers. The leaves have 5 to 7 leaflets 

pointed at the tip and 8 to 15 cm long. Often the lower 

leaves have 5-7 leaflets and upper leaves have 3 

leaflets. The leaflets are spread out like fingers on a 

hand. The leaves are finely hairy. The flowers are 

small, yellowish white with a slight smell and borne in 

large numbers of flower clusters in the axils of leaves. 

The male flower spikes are 10-18 cm long and mostly 

occur as two together in the axil of a leaf. The female 

spikes occur as 1-3 together and are as long as the male 

ones. The fruit are winged capsules 8-12 mm long by 

6-9 mm wide. The tubers vary in colour and shape. 

Often they are round and covered with long hairs. 

Distribution: They grow from sea level up to 1800 m. It needs a well-drained, well aerated soil. 

They are best adapted to an abundant rainfall during the growing season and an annual dry 

season. Soils need to be fertile. Five leaflet yam occurs mainly in China, Malaysia, India, 

Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and into the Pacific Islands. 

Cultivation: They are grown from tubers or pieces of tubers. They can be grown from aerial 

tubers. The dormancy of the tuber can be short. They need stakes for support. Stakes of about 2 

m are adequate although live stakes are often used. They often grow wild. 

Production: Tubers are harvested after the vines die back. 

Use: The tubers are eaten boiled or roasted. 

Caution: Poisonous types of this yam also occur. These need to be cut into pieces then 

repeatedly boiled and put into running water or washed and baked. 




Tubers 80.0 266 2.3 0.44 2.8 0.4 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot 

Rust Fungus Uredo dioscoreae-sativae 

Pests: 

Importance: 

This yam is not widely used in Papua New Guinea, but it can be found occasionally in 

many areas.

31 

Names 

English: Bitter yam Scientific name: Dioscorea hispida Dennstaedt 



Description: A climbing vine that can be quite long. It 

can be 10 m long. There are thorns on the stem. It has 

compound leaves bearing 3 very large leaflets. The 

leaves can be 30 cm across. The leaflets are unequal on 

each side. The leaves are produced one after another 

along the stem. The young leaf stalks, stems and 

leaflets are hairy. The leaf stalk is as long as the 

leaflets (10-15 cm). There are small prickles on the 

under surface of the main vein. The flowers are small, 

pale yellow and borne on compound flower clusters. 

The fruit are 5 cm across and divided into 3 lobes. The 

tuber is covered with root hairs. It has lobes. Tubers 

are often 15-25 cm across. 

Distribution: Outside Papua New Guinea it occurs in 

the Philippines, SE Asia and Indonesia. Plants grow 

from sea level to 1500 m altitude in Southern China. 

Cultivation: It can be grown from a tuber. The tuber can continue to increase in size over 

several years. 

Production: 

Use: The tubers are eaten after processing by slicing, soaking in running water for 48 hours and 

then cooking. 

Caution: This yam can be very poisonous. Normally selected varieties and special processes 

are needed before it is used. 


Edible 

part 

Tubers 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Importance: 

A yam only occasionally used as an emergency food. 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

32 

Names 

English: White yam, White Guinea Yam Scientific name: Dioscorea rotundata Poir. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Dioscorea cayenensis Lam. 


Description: A climbing yam plant. The stems are 

round and can be 10-12 m long. They twine to the right 

around sticks. The stems are usually spiny, but can be 

smooth. There is a white bloom on the stems. The 

leaves are opposite and simple. They are 10-12 cm 

long by 6-8 cm wide. They are heart shaped and taper 

to a point. They are normally dark green and glossy. 

Some forms have leafy outgrowths (stipules) at the base 

of the leaf stalks. The flowers are often in groups of 4 

and are formed near the leaves. It is mostly male 

flowers which occur and seeds are rarely produced. 

The tubers vary in shape, size and texture. Mostly they 

are like cylinders with rounded or pointed ends. The 

skin is smooth and brown with white flesh. The tubers 

can also be distorted in shape. Mostly only one tuber 

forms and the top end of the tuber is woody. A large 

number of different cultivars occur. 

Distribution: It grows in places with a distinct dry season. Tubers have a time of dormancy. It 

can tolerate drought more than Greater yam (Dioscorea alata). It suits relatively heavy soils with 

a reasonable clay content. Rainfall of 1000-1500 mm distributed over 8-10 months is suitable. 

Cultivation: Mostly setts of tubers are used. Occasionally seeds are used. Plants can also be 

grown from cuttings. About 1 sq metre per plant is suitable. 

Production: Crops last 8-10 months. Tubers can be stored for several months. Tubers normally 

weigh 2-5 kg but can be up to 10 kg weight. Yields of 16-20 t/ha are normal. Tubers should not 

be stored below 15°C as chilling injury can result. 

Use: The tubers are cooked and eaten. 




Tuber 80.0 298 1.5 5.2 0.8 10 0.4 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

The most important yam in West Africa. It has only recently been introduced to Papua New 

Guinea.

33 

Names 

English: Cassava, Manioc, Tapioca Scientific name: Manihot esculenta Crantz 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Manihot utilissima Pohl 

Tok ples: Plant family: Euphorbiaceae 

Description: A plant that can regrow year after year 

from the thickened roots. It has several stems. The 

stems are woody and have some branches. Plants grow 

up to 2 or 3 metres high. Stalks have distinct scars 

where leaves have fallen. The leaves tend to be near 

the ends of branches. The leaves are divided like the 

fingers on a hand. The leaves have long leaf stalks. 

The leaves have 3-7 long lobes that can be 20 cm long. 

These are widest about 1/3 of the distance from the tip 

and taper towards the base. The colour varies. It 

produces several long tubers. These can be 50 cm long 

by 10 cm across. The flowers are on short stalks 

around a central stalk. They are produced near the ends 

of branches. The female flowers are near the base of 

the flower stalk and the male flowers higher up. 

Distribution: Plants grow from sea level up to about 

1650 m. They can grow in poor soil. They can survive 

drought. It is native to tropical America. It suits 

hardiness zones 10-12. Cassava seeds need a soil 

temperature of 30°C for their germination. Flower and 

fruit production is more common under lower 

temperatures such as in highland or less equatorial 

conditions. Cassava does not suit waterlogged soils and 

preferably they should not be too shallow or stony. . 

The crop once established can survive for several 

months without rain. 

Cultivation: Cassava is planted from sections of the stalk. Sections about 15-20 cm long of the 

more mature woody stem are cut and stuck into the ground. They can be completely buried or 

put at almost any angle and it affects the growth little. Soon roots form and leaves start to sprout 

from the stalk. 

Production: Cassava takes about 10 to 12 months to produce mature tubers in the lowlands 

tropics although some varieties produce a smaller yield earlier. Yields in the range of 20-45 t/ha 

have been recorded for 12-14 month crops. The plants can be left growing and the tubers stored 

in the soil for considerable time. Crops of 24 months duration occur. Once the tubers have been 

dug they do not keep for more than a few days. Preharvest pruning of plants increases the 

storage time of tubers after harvest 

Use: The tubers are eaten after thorough cooking. They are boiled, roasted or made into flour. 

Young leaves are edible after cooking. 

Seeds are also eaten. 

Caution: Bitter kinds of cassava contain poison but this is destroyed on heating. This kind of 

cassava should be cooked, sun dried, soaked and cooked again.

34 




Tuber 62.8 625 1.4 0.23 30 15 0.48 

Leaves 82.0 382 7.1 7.6 11775 275 

Insects: 

Abgrallaspis cyanophylli (Signoret) Diaspididae (HEM) 

Acalolepta holotephra Boisd Cerambycidae (COL.) 

Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) Noctuidae (LEP) Black cutworm 

Amblypelta spp. Coreidae (HEM) Amblypelta bugs 

Apirocalus spp Curculionidae (COL) Horned weevil 



Brysica exigua Dist. Pentatomidae (HEM.) 

Chrysomphalus dictyospermi (Morgan) Diaspidiae (HEM) 

Dasychira mendosa Hubn. Lymantriidae (LEP.) Leaf eating caterpillar 


Eupholus spp. Curculionidae (COL) Eupholus weevils 

Ferrisia consobrina Williams Pseudococcidae (HEM) 

Ferrisia virgata Cockerell Pseudococcidae (HEM) Striped mealy bug 

Hemiberlesia lataniae (Signoret) Diaspididae (HEM) 

Hypotactus ruralis Fst. Curculionidae (COL.) 

Leptoglossus australis (Fab.) Coreidae (HEM) Black leaf footed bug 

Monolepta spp. Chrysomelidae (COL) Monolepta beetles 

Oribius spp. Curculioniodae (COL) Shot hole weevils 

Parasaissetia nigra (Nietner) Coccidae (HEM) Nigra scale 

Pinnaspis strachani (Cooley) Diaspididae (HEM) 

Protaetia papuana Moser Scarabaeidae (COL.) 

Pseudaulacaspis pentagona (Taeg) Diaspididae (HEM) Cassava scale 

Pseudococcus elisae Borchsenius Pseudococcidae (HEM) 

Saissettia nigra (Nietner) Coccidae (HEM) Nigra scale 

Spodoptera litura (Fab) Noctuidae (LEP) 

Tetranychus marianae McGregor Tetranychidae ACARINA Red spider mite 


Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora vicosae? 

Brown leaf spot Fungus Cercosporidium henningsii (Allesch) Deighton 


Blight leaf spot or tip dieback Fungus Colletotrichum capsici (Syd) But. & Bis. 

And Glomerella cingulata 

Pink disease Fungus Phanerochaete salmonicolor (Berk. & Broome) Julich 

Associated with root rot Fungus Dictyosporium toriloides 

Collar rot Fungus Fusarium sp. 

Root rot ? Helicobasidium purpureum 

and Proboscispora manihotis 

and Rigidoporus lignosus 

Storage rots 

Pests: 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea, cassava is becoming a more widespread and important 

staple food especially in areas with poor soils and distinct drought.

35 

Names 

English: Potato Scientific name: Solanum tuberosum L. 


Tok ples: Plant family: Solanaceae 

Description: A branched annual plant that grows up to 

50 cm high. The stems are soft and 4 angled with 

compound leaves. The leaves are irregular shape and 

have 6-8 pairs of leaflets as well as small irregular 

leafets between the others. It has swollen stem tubers 

under the ground. The tubers can vary in colour from 

white to red and purple. The tuber shape can also vary 

greatly. The flowers are white pink or purple. The 

fruit is a berry. It is smooth, round and green but often 

striped. 

Distribution: In the tropics they mostly grow at high 

altitude above 1500 m, but plants are grown between 

900 and 2800 m. Tubers form best when soil 

temperatures are 15.5°C. They are damaged by frost 

but slightly more frost tolerant than sweet potato. It 

suits hardiness zones 7-11. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from tubers. Due to virus diseases it is necessary to get fresh seed 

tubers each few years. Large tubers can be cut to include a bud or "eye". It is best to inter-crop. 

Production: The time to maturity is between 17 and 24 weeks. Yields of 5 to 12 tons/ha can be 

expected. 

Use: The tubers are cooked and eaten. They are also fried, canned and made into starch. 

The tender leaves are also occasionally eaten. 

Caution: The green tubers and leaves are poisonous. 




Tubers 77.0 344 1.7 1.1 25 21 0.27 

Insects: 

Acyrthosiphon solani Kaltenbach Aphididae (HEM.) 


Apachynus beccarii Dubrony Apachyidae (DERM.) 

Aphis gossypii Glover Aphididae (HEM.) Melon aphid 

Araecerus sp. (See Oxyderes) Anthribidae (COL.) 

Aulacorthum solani Kaltenbach Aphididae (HEM.) Foxglove aphid 

Brachylybas dimorphus Small brown bug 

Cassida diomma Boisduval Chrysomelidae (COL.) Small tortoise beetle 

Cassida papuana Spaeth Chrysomelidae (COL.) Small tortoise beetles 

Cassida sexguttata Boisduval Chrysomelidae (COL.) Small tortoise beetles 

Cicadella sp. Cicadellidae (HEM.) 

Conoderus mucronatus Candeze Elateridae (COL.) 

Criontiades sp. Miridae (HEM.) 

Dasychira mendosa Hubn. Lymantriidae (LEP) Leaf eating caterpillar 

Elaunon bipatitus Kirby Forficulidae (DERM.)

36 

Henosepilachna haemorrhoea (Biel) Coccinellidae (COL) Leaf eating ladybird 

Henosepilachna signatipennis Boisd. Coccinellidae (COL) Leaf eating ladybird 

Homeoxipha fuscipennis Gryllidae (ORTH.) 

Idopsis coerulea Faust. Curculionidae (COL.) 

Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomson) Aphididae (HEM.) Potato aphid 

Monolepta semiviolacea Fauvel Chrysomelidae (COL.) 

Myzus ornatus Laing Aphididae (HEM.) 

Myzus persicae Sulzer Aphididae (HEM.) Green peach aphid 

Nysius villicus Van Duzee Lygaeidae (HEM.) 

Papuana aninodalis Prell Scarabaeidae (COL) Taro beetles 

Phaenacantha spp. Colobathristidae (HEM) Sugarcane bug 

Phthorimaea operculella (Zell.) Scarabaeidae (COL) Potato tuber moth 

Simplicia caeneusalis Walker Noctuidae (LEP.) 

Diseases: 

Early blight Fungus Alternaria solani Sorauer 

Collar rot Fungus Athelia rolfsii (Curzi) Tu & Kimbrough 

Dry rot & wilt Fungus Fusarium oxysporium Schelcht ex Fr. 

Storage rot Fungus Fusarium solani 

Leaf spot Fungus Leptosphaerulina trifolii 


Pink rot Fungus Phytophthora erythroseptica 

Late blight Fungus Phytophthora infestans (Mont) de Bary 

Powdery scab Fungus Spongospora subterranean 

Common scab Fungus Streptomyces scabies (Thaxt.) Waksm & Henr. 

Black scurf Fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris 

Verticillium wilt potato Fungus Verticillium albo-atrum 

Black leg Bacteria Erwinia carotovora subsp. atroseptica 

Soft rot Bacteria Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora 

Bacterial wilt Bacteria Erwinia chrysanthemi 

Bacterial wilt Bacteria Pseudomonas solanacearum E F Smith 

Leaf roll Virus Leaf roll virus 

Interveinal mottling Virus Potato virus x 

Mosaic & dying leaves Virus Potato virus y 

Pests: 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea it is gaining acceptance as a subsistence food crop above 

about 1900 m altitude.

37 

Names 

English: Kudzu, Scientific name: Pueraria lobata var. lobata (Willd.) Ohwi 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Pueraria novo-guineensis Warb. 

Tok ples: Plant family: Fabaceae 

Description: A slow growing climbing legume with a 

thickened edible tuber. It has a thick stem that is hairy 

at the base. The stem can be 2.5 cm across. It can 

climb to 20 m high. The leaves are hairy and divided 

into 3 leafets. They are oval or diamond shaped and 

they have lobes. The middle leaflet is the largest. The 

side leaflets are not equal on both sides of the main 

vein. The leaflets are 10-18 cm long by 8-15 cm wide. 

The leaves taper towards the tip. The leaf stalk is 20 

cm long. The flowers are pea like and purple. They are 

2 cm long and produced in upright stalks. The clusters 

along the stalks are 25-40 cm long. The fruit are 

oblong pods 9 cm long and 1 cm wide. They are 

covered with dense rusty hairs. The tuber is shaped 

like a cassava root. It can be 60-90 cm long. 

Distribution: Wild forms grow between 30 and 1860 m in the tropics. Cultivated forms are 

more common in high altitude areas up to 2700 m altitude in Papua New Guinea. It grows in 

grassland and on the edge of forests. It suits hardiness zones 5-11. 

Cultivation: It is normally grown by stem cuttings. It grows slowly. Plants also grow self-sown 

from seed. 

Production: The time to maturity is 2-3 years. A tuberous root can be 35 kg weight. 

Use: The tuber is cooked and eaten. A kind of flour can also be made from the roots. This is 

processed into a thickener for sauces. 

The leaves, shoots and flowers can be used as a vegetable. 

In India the seeds are boiled and kept in a closed container for about seven days and then 

allowed to decompose. A drink is made from it. 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

Roots 68.6 2.1 15 0.6 

Leaves 

Insects: 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Diseases: 

False rust Fungus Synchytrium minutum (Pat) Gaum 

Yellow mould Fungus Mycovellosiella puerariae D.Shaw & Deighton 

Leaf spot 

Pests: 

Importance: A minor root crop in Papua New Guinea. It is used as a reserve food and for 

ceremonies. 

Zinc 

mg

38 

Names 

English: Yam bean Scientific name: Pachyrrhizus erosus (L.) Urban 



Description: A climbing bean that has hairy stems. It 

can grow up to 6 m tall. The stems are woody at the 

base. It has a white-fleshed tuber. It has a rough sandy 

coloured skin. The leaves are alternate and made up of 

3 leaflets. These leaflets have large teeth. The flowers 

are violet or white. The pod is 8-15 cm long, curved 

and hairy. The seeds are almost black. There are 8-11 

seeds and they are flattened. 

Distribution: It grows in warm places. It grows in 

coastal areas in Papua New Guinea and up to about 70 

m altitude in the tropics. A well-drained soil is needed. 

A light rich sandy soils is suitable. It cannot tolerate 

frost. Plants need 11-13 hours of daylight for tubers to 

form. It suits hardiness zones 10-11. 

Cultivation: It is grown from seeds and also grows wild. Seed should be presoaked for 12 hours 

in warm water to encourage rapid germination. Seed germinate within 2 weeks. Plants can be 

grown by dividing the root clump and then growing plants from the thickened roots. Cuttings 

will grow. A spacing of 50 cm between plants is suitable. Topping the plant by picking out the 

growing point and removing the flowers is supposed to help tubers form. 

Production: Tubers are ready about 6 months after sowing. Individual tubers can be up to 20 kg 

weight. 

Use: The young tuber is eaten either raw or cooked. It can also be pickled. 

The young pods can be eaten. (They must be well cooked.) 

Caution: Old pods and mature seeds can be poisonous. 




Tuber 89.0 160 1.0 0.6 2.0 20 0.2 

Seed 8.1 38.5 

Pods 86.0 189 2.6 1.3 345 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: Only occasionally seen in Papua New Guinea and mainly used by Asians.

39 

Names 

English: Queensland arrowroot Scientific name: Canna edulis Ker-Gawl. 


Tok ples: Plant family: Cannaceae 

Description: A broad-leafed plant with purple leaf 

sheaths. It is about 1.5 to 2.5 m high. It grows as a 

perennial. The stems are in clusters. Flowers are red 

and produced at the top of the plant. The petals are 

small and red and 4-10 mm wide. The fruit is a 3celled 

capsule with black seeds. Underground it has a 

much-branched root or rhizome with fattened sections 

covered with leaf scars. These are often light red on the 

outside and yellowish white inside. A clump of 15-20 

suckers often develops. These starchy tubers are from 

6 cm across to 15 cm long. The shape varies. 

Distribution: It is grown and used in some of the 

coastal areas of the tropics and subtropics. It will grow 

from sea level up to 1600 m. 

In the Andes it grows between 1,000 and 2,500 m altitude. It needs a heavy fertile soil. It 

cannot stand strong winds. It does best with an evenly distributed rainfall. It cannot stand 

waterlogging. It can stand some shade. It needs to be in a frost free location. It does best where 

both days and nights are warm. 

Cultivation: The end section of the rhizome is planted. Well developed tubers with one or two 

undamaged buds should be used. A spacing of 1 m x 1 m is suitable. Tubers are planted about 

15 cm deep and need to be kept weed free during early growth. About 2.5 tons of tubers are 

required to plant a hectare. The tubers are dug from between 6 and 19 months. The tubers can 

be stored if cool and dry. For starch manufacture they need to be processed immediately. 

Production: Harvesting occurs after about 8 months. Parts of the underground root are 

harvested as needed. High yields of tops and rhizomes are possible. Up to 38 tons of rhizomes 

and 50 tons of tops have been achieved. 

Use: The rhizomes are eaten after cooking. They are boiled or baked. The leaves and rhizomes 

are used for animals. Starch can be extracted from the roots. This is achieved by rasping the 

tubers, then washing the starch out and straining out the fibres. The large starch grains are very 

digestible. 

The starch is used to make transparent noodles. 



part % KJ g 

Rhizome 72.6 1.0 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Diseases: 

Insects: 

Shot hole weevils Curculionidae (COL.) Oribius spp. 

Pests: 

Importance: It is a starchy root crop of some importance in some coastal areas mainly on the 

Papuan side of Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

40 

Names 

English: Jerusalem artichoke Scientific name: Helianthus tuberosus L. 


Tok ples: Plant family: Asteraceae 

Description: An upright perennial plant up to 1-2 m 

high and with a spread of 1 m. The stem is erect and 

unbranched. The leaves are dull green and sword 

shaped. The flowers are yellow and daisy like. It 

produces fleshy underground stem tubers of irregular 

shape. The skin of these tubers is very thin and often 

coloured yellow or red. The flesh is white. Tubers can 

be 10 cm long and 6 cm wide. 

Distribution: A temperate plant. Plants grow best 

when the temperature is 18° - 26°C and frost-free. 

They do best between 300 and 750 m altitude in the 

tropics. It needs light to medium well-drained soils. 

Plants should be grown in an open sunny position. It is 

drought and frost resistant. It suits hardiness zones 4-9. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from vegetative setts. These can be dormant for 7 months before 

they will grow. The flowers on the plants are removed to increase the yield. Plants can be 

grown from seed. Tubers are often sweetest after a frost. 

Production: Harvesting can start after 3 months. 

Use: The tubers are eaten boiled or baked. 

They can be eaten raw in salads. 

(They are suitable for people with diabetes) 


Edible Moisture Energy Protein Calcium Iron proVit A proVit C 

part % KJ g mg mg µg mg 

Tubers 79.0 281 2.0 0.4 4 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Collar rot Fungus Athelia rolfsii (Curzi) Tu & Kimbrough 

Pests: 

Importance: Not commonly seen in Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

41 

Names 

English: Oca, New Zealand yam Scientific name: Oxalis tuberosa Molina 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Oxalis crenata Jacq. 

Tok ples: Plant family: Oxalidaceae 

Description: A small annual herb up to 30 cm high 

with leaves of 3 leaflets. The stems are round and 

succulent. The leaves are spirally arranged. The 

flowers are orange-yellow. Three different kinds of 

flowers occur associated with three different kinds of 

tubers. The tubers have scales that cover long deep 

eyes. Tubers vary considerably in shape. The tubers 

are wrinkled and vary in colour between red, orange, 

yellow, or white. Some varieties have bitter tubers. 

They are about 5-8 cm long and 2-4 cm across. The 

plant rarely sets seed in the field but seed can be 

produced by self-pollinating. When seed form, they 

occur in 5-celled locules with 1-3 tiny seeds in each. 

Distribution: It mostly grows in the Andes from 

Colombia to Chile at between 3,500 and 3,800 m 

altitude. The plant is frost hardy. They grow in the 

high altitude tropics. (2,800 - 4,560 m in the Andes). In 

the hot lowlands, tubers perish quickly. In the hot 

tropical lowlands, tubers perish quickly. A daylength 

of 9 hours is best for tuber formation. Vegetative top 

growth occurs under long day lengths. It suits hardiness 

zones 7-11. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from tubers or cut pieces of tubers that contain 1-3 eyes. Planting 

is normally done at the beginning of the rainy season and plants are weeded and soil mounded 

around them. A spacing of 20-40 cm x 20-36 cm is recommended. 

Production: Tubers mature in about 8 months. Average yields in the Andes are about 3.7 t / ha. 

After digging tubers are cured in the sun for several days. 

Use: The tubers are acid when fresh but are dried slightly then cooked and eaten. The bitter 

kinds are freeze-dried and stored for later use. The young leaves and shoots can be eaten. 

Caution: Fresh tubers contain calcium oxalate. 



part % KJ g 

Tubers 

Leaves 

84 1.1 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: In the Andes people say, “Stew without chunu is like life without love!” It has 

only recently been introduced to Papua New Guinea to try it out. 

Zinc 

mg

42 

Names 

English: Anu, Peruvian nasturtium, Scientific name: Tropaeolum tuberosum Ruiz & Pav 


Tok ples: Plant family: Tropaeolaceae 

Description: A climbing herb that climbs by twining 

around objects. It is grown each year from tubers. It 

can be 2-4 m high and spread 3 m wide. It does not 

have hairs. Stems are greenish red. Leaves have 5 

lobes. Leaves vary between 5-20 cm long. Tubers are 

yellowish green with purple marks. They are often 

deeply furrowed. Flowers are red and yellow. They 

are 3-4 cm across and cup shaped with a long spur. 

The plant sets seed easily. Tuber colour and shape 

varies between varieties 

Distribution: It grows in high altitude, cool, moist, 

tropical regions. The plants are tolerant of frost. It 

requires 12-hour days for successful cultivation. It can 

grow on poor soils. In South America plants grow 

from 3,000 to 4,000 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 

8-10. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from tubers. A spacing of 70 cm x 70 cm is suitable. It needs to 

be kept weed free and to have the earth hilled up around plants. Plants mature in about 7 

months. Because of its climbing pattern it can compete with weeds. Plants can also be grown 

from seed. 

Production: Plants mature in about 7 months. Tubers store satisfactorily. Tubers are often 

frozen or partially dried after harvest to improve the flavour. The average yield in Peru is about 

4 to 12 tonnes per hectare. Yields of up to 70 tonnes per hectare are possible. The plant growing 

time is 220 to 240 days in Peru. 

Use: Tubers are eaten boiled. They are often sweetened. 

They are cured in the sun then freeze dried then boiled like potatoes. 

They can be cooked then frozen. 



part % KJ g 

Tubers 54.6 3.8 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: It has only recently been introduced into Papua New Guinea to try it out. It is an 

important crop in the high Andes. 

Zinc 

mg

43 

Names 

English: Ulluco Scientific name: Ullucus tuberosus Lozano 


Tok ples: Plant family: Basellaceae/ Chenopodiaceae 

Description: A small herb with creeping pink stems. It 

is erect and compact. It puts up branches that can be 

30-50 cm high. The stems form roots where they touch 

the ground. At the end of its growth plants are lying 

along the ground. The leaves are broad and heart 

shaped. In some kinds the leaves have red spots or a 

reddish blue edge. Small tubers form on the ends of the 

roots. Often they are yellow but shape and colour vary 

with variety. Flowers are in the axils of leaves. They 

are small and star shaped. Seeds are occasionally 

produced in a triangular capsule. These seeds will 

grow after their dormancy period has passed (2-3 

months). Aerial tubers sometimes also occur. There 

are about 50-70 cultivars. 

Distribution: Tropical. It grows well in cool moist 

climates in the tropics. It will probably suit high 

altitude places. In the Andes it grows at altitudes of 

3,000-4,000 m. It can stand light frosts. It shows 

drought resistance and has low fertility demands. It 

gives low tuber yields under long day conditions. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from tubers. They can be grown from cuttings. Soil needs to be 

earthed up around the growing plant. A spacing of 60 to 80 cm between plants is suitable. Some 

plants have 3 sets of chromosomes and these must always be grown from tubers or cuttings. 

Plants are often severely affected by viral diseases. 

Production: Tubers mature in about 4-6 months but can be 7-8 months. 

Use: The tubers are eaten. They are also dried and ground into flour. 

The leaves are edible cooked. 



part 

Tubers 

Leaves 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: One variety has been introduced and is being tried out in Papua New Guinea. It is 

an important food plant in the Andes, especially Peru. 

Zinc 

mg

44 

Names 

English: Banana, Plantain Scientific name: Musa sp (A &/or B genome) cv. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Often as Musa x paradisiaca 

Tok ples: Plant family: Musaceae 

Description: These are the main group of cultivated 

bananas. They can be classed into diploid, triploid and 

tetraploid kinds with various amounts of the A or B 

parents. They are large non-woody herbs with broad 

long leaves. Most kinds have several suckers. Bananas 

grow a soft firm false stem from an underground corm. 

The fruiting stalk eventually emerges from the top of 

this false stem and normally curves over pointing 

towards the ground. Fruit occur in clumps or hands 

along this stem. The male flowers are in a red bud at 

the end of the flower stalk. The colour of the stem, 

bracts, bud and fruit varies considerably depending on 

the variety. The fruit can be 6-35 cm long depending 

on variety. They can also be 2.5-6 cm across. 

Distribution: They grow from sea level up to about 2000 m altitude in the tropics. They are 

rarely an important food above about 1600 m. In Nepal they grow to about 1800 m altitude. 

They do best in warm and humid tropical climates. Temperatures need to be above 15°C. The 

best temperature is 27°C. The maximum temperature is 38°C. Bananas grow best in full sun. 

For best growth, a rainfall of 200-220 mm per month is needed. A deep friable soil is best. They 

can tolerate a pH between 4.5-7.5. It suits hardines zones 10-12. 

Cultivation: They are planted from sword suckers. Diploids need re-planting annually but many 

triploids can be re-suckered from the base on the same site. Spacing depends on variety. A 

spacing of 1000-3000 plants per hectare is used depending on variety. Suckers are usually put 

30 cm deep. 

Production: Time to maturity varies from 6 to 18 months depending on variety and altitude. 

Triploids have larger bunches than diploids. Tetraploids are very large plants. 

Use: Fruit are eaten raw or cooked depending on variety. 

Male buds and flowers are eaten on some varieties. They are cooked as a vegetable. 

The central pith of the false stem and the underground rhizome are also sometimes eaten. 




Fruit 

Buds 

65.3 510 1.3 0.6 113 18.4 0.1 

Insects: 

Apiraculus cornutus (Pascoe) Curculionidae (COL) Horned weevil 

Bactrocera bryoniae (Try) Tephritidae (DIPT) Fruit fly 

Bactrocera musae (Try) Tephritidae (DIPT) Banana fruit fly 

Cosmopolites sordidus (Germar) Curculionidae (COL) Banana weevil 

Dermolepida nigrum (Nonf) Scarabaeidae (COL) Chafer beetle 

Diacrisia papuana Roths Arctiidae (LEP) 

Eumossula gracilis Tettigoniidae (ORTH) Coconut treehopper 

Heliothis armiger Hubner Noctuidae (LEP) Corn earworm

45 

Lema papuana Jac. Chrysomelidae (COL) 

Locusta migratoria (Linnaeus) Acrididae (ORTH) Migratory locust 

Myospila argentata Walker Muscidae (DIPT) 

Nacoleia octasema (Meyrick) Pyralidae (LEP) Banana scab moth 

Opagona sp. Hieroxestidae (LEP) 

Oribius cruciatus Fst. Curculionidae (COL) Shot hole weevil 

Oribius inimicus Mshl Curculionidae (COL) 

Oryctes rhinoceros (L) Scarabaeidae (COL) Rhinoceros beetle 

Othreis fullonica (Cl) Noctuidae (LEP) 

Papuana huebneri Fairm. Scarabaeidae (COL) Taro beetle 

Papuana laevipennis Arrow Scarabaeidae (COL) Taro beetle 

Papuana japenensis Arrow Scarabaeidae (COL) Taro beetle 

Papuana semistriata Scarabaeidae (COL) Taro beetle 

Papuana woodlarkiana (Montr.) Scarabaeidae (COL) Taro beetle 

Pentalonia nigronervosa Coq Aphididae (HOM) Banana aphid 

Scapanes australis-australis Boisd. Scarabaeidae (COL) Australian Rhinoceros beetle 

Scapanes australis-grossepunctatus Scarabaeidae (COL) New Guinea rhinoceros beetle 

Scopelodes nitens B.Bak Limocodidae (LEP) 

Segestidea defoliata Uvarov Tettigoniidae (ORTH) 

Segestidea novaeguineae F.Willemse Tettigoniidae (ORTH) 

Taenaris dimona Hew Amathusiidae (LEP) 

Taenaris myops kirschi Stgr. Amathusiidae (LEP) Banana butterfly 

Diseases: 

Armillaria corm rot Fungus Armillaria mellea (Vahl. ex Fr.) Krumer 

Leaf spot Fungus Cladosporium musae 

Anthracnose of fruit Fungus Colletotrichum musae 

Cordana or diamond leaf spot Fungus Cordana musae (Zimm.) Hohnel 

Black spot Fungus Deightoniella torulosa Syd.) M.B.Ellis 

Leaf spot Fungus Haplobasidium musae 


Black leaf streak Fungus Mycosphaerella fijiensis 

Sigatoka leaf spot Fungus Mycosphaerella musicola R Leach 

Black cross leaf spot Fungus Phyllachora musicola C Booth & D Shaw 

Freckle Fungus Guignardia musae 

Speckle Fungus Ramichloridium musae 

Banana rust Fungus Uredo musae Cummins 

Root rot Fungi Pythium splendens 

And Pythium vexans etc 

Stem end rot fruit Fungus Botryodiplodia theobromae 

Algal leaf spot Alga Cephaleuros virescens 

Infectious chlorosis Virus Cucumber mosaic virus 

Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita 

Burrowing nematode Nematode Radopholus similis 

Nematode Nematode Helicotylenchus multicinctus 

Pratylenchus sp. 

Rotylenchus sp. 

Bacterial corm rot Bacteria Erwinia chrysanthemi 

Stalk rot Bacteria Erwinia carotovora carotovora 

Pests: 

Importance: The major food in many areas of the moist lowland tropics and an important 

supplement in most areas.

46 

Names 

English: Sago Scientific name: Metroxylon sagu Rottb. 

Tok pisin: Saksak Synonyms: Metroxylon rumphii (Willd.) C. Martius 

Tok ples: Plant family: Arecaceae 

Description: A clumping palm. It can grow up to 10 to 

70 m high with a fat trunk (50-75 cm across). A palm 

can have 18-24 leaves that are 5-7 m long. The leaflets 

can be up to 100 per leaf and 50-160 cm long by 3-6 

cm wide. After about 15 years the palm produces a 

large flower on top, then the palm dies. The flowering 

stalk can be 5-7 m long. The palm has suckers near the 

base. Some kinds have fertile seeds about 2-3 cm 

across on the flower. There is a complete range from 

very long thorns to short or no thorns on the leaf bases. 

Distribution: A high watertable is tolerated or required 

by the plant. Temporary flooding does not appear to 

affect the crop but permanently flooded sites do not 

appear to be suitable. Because of the site requirements 

sago is almost always on locally level ground. The 

level ground can be a broad flat basin or flood plain or 

a local depression or stream edge in more dissected 

terrain. Sago seedlings are hardly harmed, by one 

rather saline flooding, per fortnight. 

Sago seedlings can probably withstand a salinity of EC = 10mmho / cm. The maximum altitude 

is about 1200 m but the optimum is between sea level and 800 m. Sago palms grow well in wet 

conditions. It can tolerate saline or brackish water. It grows better in well drained than in poorly 

drained conditions. They are widely distributed in the central and southern Philippines. They 

also occur in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. It suits hardiness zones 11-12. 

Cultivation: Suckers or seedlings are planted in fresh water swamps or along creeks. Once 

stands are established in swamps, they continue to re-grow from suckers. Plant clusters are 

thinned by removing some suckers. Some “seeds” will not grow but those that are fertile need to 

be planted as soon as they form because they loose their viability. Seeds germinate within 3 

weeks. To plant sago, the planting site near a creek or in a damp place, is first cleared of trees 

and rubbish. A sucker of a suitable variety is chosen from an old sago clump. A suitable sucker 

probably has fronds 3-4 m long and is about 1.5 years old. This is chopped through with an axe. 

The sucker is then simply taken to a new site and planted in a shallow hole 30 cm x 30 cm x 30 

cm. If several palms are being planted, they should be about 7 m apart. The optimum spacing is 

considered to be 275 clumps per hectare. To thin out a large group of suckers a small hole (10 

cm x 10 cm) is cut with an axe into the top of the trunk of a sucker that is not wanted. This hole 

lets the sago beetle in and the sago grubs that develop quickly kill out the sucker. They don't get 

into the main palm or other suckers unless a hole is made. After a few months when the sucker 

is seen to be dead it can be split open to provide a feed of sago grubs. 

Production: It takes 12 to 15 years for a sago palm to grow big enough to cut down. Palms in 

poor soil grow more slowly. Palms are ready to harvest after about 15 years. In swamps, about 

10 to 60 trunks are ready per hectare each year. An average processing rate is 2.2 kg/hr of 

starch. 

First the sago palm is cut down. Mostly this is men's work. Then the bark is split off the trunk 

for about one metre along its length. Normally this bark is carefully laid out at the sides propped 

up by logs so that it both makes a seat for the person to sit on and a mat for the shredded pith of 

the trunk to fall onto. Sago in the trunk of the palm is all mixed up with the fibres of the plant.

47 

So this pith has to be shredded up into small pieces and the starch is then washed out. Special 

tools are made for pounding up the trunk. They need to be light, strong and with a hard stone (or 

metal) head. In areas where sago is the main food, sago is women's work. The woman sing 

special songs while they work. In areas where sago is not the main food, both men and women 

pound sago. The shredded pith of the palm is put into the bowl made by the fronds and the starch 

is washed out by banging the pith with a stick and pouring water over it. The filtered starch is 

allowed to settle out in a bowl. It is then dried and taken home. It takes about one hour to pound 

enough sago, then wash out the starch, seive it and allow the starch to settle to give between 2 

and 3 kilograms of starch. 

Use: The bud can be eaten cooked. 

Sago starch can be processed from the pith. This is cooked and eaten. 

The sap can be collected for a drink that is called “tuba” in the Philippines. 

Sago grubs are often cultivated and eaten. 




Starch 

Cabbage 

Grubs 

27 1197 0.2 0.7 0 

Insects: 

Agapophyta bipunctata Boisd. Pentatomidae (HEM.) A bug 

Oryctes centaurus Sternberg Scarabaeidae (COL) Rhinoceros beetle 

Oryctes rhinoceros (L.) Scarabaeidae (COL) Asiatic rhinoceros beetle 


Promecotheca papuana Csiki Hispidae (COL) Coconut leaf miner 

Rhabdoscelus obscurus Boisduval Curculionidae (COL) Cane weevil borer 

Rhynchophorus bilineatus (Montr.) Curculionidae (COL) Black palm weevils 

Rhynchophorus ferrugineous (Oliv.) Curculionidae (COL) Red palm weevils 

Rhynchophorus papuanus Kirsch Curculionidae (COL) Palm weevils 

Scapanes australis (Boisd.) Dynastidae (COL) 

Trochorhopalus strangulates Gyllenhal Curculionidae (COL.) A weevil 

Leptococcus metroxyli Reyne Pseudococcidae (HEM) 

Diseases: 

Sooty mould Fungus Borinquenia sp. 

Black mould on leaves Fungi Melanographium sp 

And Tripospermum sp. 

and Zygosporium gibbum (Sacc.Rousseau & E Bommer) S. Hughes 

Parallel sided leaf spot Fungus Sphaerulina sp. 

Leaf spot Fungus 

(Also several fungi isolated from processed sago) 

Pests: 

Importance: A very important staple food in several swampy coastal areas of Papua New 

Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

48 

Names 

English: Solomon’s sago Scientific name: Metroxylon salomonense (Warburg) Becc. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Metroxylon bougainvillense Becc. 


Description: A sago palm. It is a solitary palm with no 

suckers at the base. It can grow 17 m high. The trunk 

can be 1.3 m across. The crown is graceful with 

arching fronds. There can be spines on older palms. 

The leaves are long with wide leaflets along the stalk. 

They are dark green. The flower is produce at the top 

of the palm. The flower is very large and takes 15-20 

months for the flower to fully develop and produce 

seeds. The flower arrangement has branches that are 

spreading and drooping. The seeds are large (10 cm 

across). They are scaly and straw coloured. After 

another 2 years the palm gradually dies. 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant. It grows in North 

Solomons Province of Papua New Guinea and the 

Solomon Islands. It grows in less swampy sites than 

sago. It needs fertile soils. It can grow up to 880 m 

altitude. It suits hardiness zones 11-12. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. 

Production: Time to maturity is 12-15 years. The palm is felled, the outer hull stripped off then 

the pith pounded and the starch extracted by washing in water and letting the starch settle out. 

Four men can cut, process and collect the starch from one palm in 4-5 hours. When a team do 

this work it is allocated amongst cutters, shredders, washers and packers. 

Use: The starch is extracted from the trunk and eaten cooked. 

The palm cabbage is edible. 


Edible 

part 

Starch 

Cabbage 

Moisture 

% 

Insects: 

Probably similar to sago 

Diseases: 

Probably similar to sago 

Pests: 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea, mostly in North Solomons province, the sago starch is used 

as a reserve food and for special functions. 

Zinc 

mg

Beans and food legumes 

50 

English name Tok Pisin Scientific name Page 

Peanut Pinat Arachis hypogea 51 

Winged bean Asbin Psophocarpus tetragonolobus 53 

Lablab bean Lablab purpureus 56 

Yard long bean Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis 57 

Cowpea Vigna unguiculata subsp. unguiculata 59 

Pigeon pea Cajanus cajan 61 

Soybean Glycine max 63 

Lima bean Phaseolus lunatus 65 

Common bean Bin Phaseolus vulgaris 66 

Pea Pi Pisum sativum 68 

Jack bean Canavalia ensiformis 70 

Sword bean Canavalia gladiata 71 

Mung bean Vigna mungo 72 

Green gram bean Vigna radiata 74 

Rice bean Vigna umbellata 75 

Scarlet runner bean Phaseolus coccineus subsp. coccineus 76 

Velvet bean Mucuna pruriens 77 

Velvet bean Mucuna pruriens var utilis 78 

D’Albertis creeper Mucuna albertissi 79 

Broad bean Vicia faba 80 

Guar bean Cyamopsis tetragonolobus 81 

Chickpea Cicer arietinum 82

51 

Names 

English: Peanut Scientific name: Arachis hypogea L. 

Tok pisin: Pinat Synonyms: 


Description: A spreading bushy plant that grows up to 

about 40 cm high. Leaves are made up of 2 pairs of 

leaflets arranged opposite each other. Flowers are 

produced in the axils of leaves. Two main kinds occur. 

They are often called runner and bunch types. The 

runner kind has a vegetative or leafy branch between 

each fruiting branch and therefore produces a more 

spreading type of plant. This is called "Virginia" 

peanut. The pods have 2 dark brown seeds. The other 

kind produces fruiting branches in a sequence one after 

the other along the branches. These are called 

"Spanish-Valencia" types. They grow as a more 

upright plant and grow more quickly. They have 

lighter coloured leaves and the pods have 2 to 6 seeds 

that are often white. Virginia types have the flowers in 

alternate pairs. 

Spanish and Valencia types have several flower branches one after another along the stem. Pods 

are produced on long stalks that extend under the ground. The stalk or peg from the flower 

grows down into the soil and then produces the pod and seed under the ground. The flower 

needs to be no more than 18 cm from the soil for the seedpod to develop under ground. 

Distribution: Peanuts grow well from sea level up to about 1650 metres altitude in the 

equatorial tropics. They need a temperature of about 28°C and between 24°C and 33°C. The 

plants get killed by frost. They need a well drained soil and cannot stand waterlogging. 

Therefore they are often grown on raised garden beds. They do better in drier areas but need 300 

to 500 mm of rain during the growing season. Near harvest dry weather is needed. Short season 

cultivars are used in semi arid regions. It suits hardiness zones 8-12. Peanuts require soil with 

good levels of calcium or they produce empty pods. Adding gypsum will improve this. If the 

nutrient boron is short then flowers won't flower and fruit properly. Because peanuts are 

legumes, they have root nodule bacteria that can fix their own nitrogen and this means they can 

still give good yields in grassland soils where nitrogen is at a lower level 

Cultivation: The seeds or nuts are normally removed from the shell before planting and are 

sown 2 to 3 cm deep. The alternately branched or Virginia-type of peanuts have a dormancy 

period so that they must be stored before replanting. A suitable spacing is 10 cm between plants 

and 60 to 80 cm between rows. Often plants are grown in mixed cultures with other plants but 

where a pure stand is used up to 250,000 plants per hectare are used. The soil needs to be 

weeded and loose by the time the flowers are produced to allow the peg for the seedpods to 

penetrate the soil. Normally when the whole plant dies off the plant are ready to pull. They are 

left to dry in the sun for 3 or 4 days. 

Production: Flowering may commence in 30 days. It takes from 3.5 to 5 months till maturity. 

They are harvested when the top of the plants die. The whole plant is pulled out. Virginia 

peanuts have a longer growing season and the seeds need to be stored for a while before they 

will start to regrow. (30 days.) 

Use: The seeds can be eaten raw, or cooked. The young leaves are edible, cooked. 

Oil is extracted from the seeds and is edible. The remaining meal is also eaten.

52 


Edible part Moisture Energy Protein Calcium Iron proVit A proVit C Zinc 

% KJ g mg mg µg mg mg 

Seeds fresh 45.0 1394 15.0 1.5 Tr 10 

Seeds dry 

Leaves 

4.5 2364 24.3 2.0 0 Tr 3.0 

Insects: 

Achaea janata (Linnaeus) Noctuidae (LEP) Cacao false looper 

Adoxophyes melichron Tortricidae (LEP) Leaf roller 

Alticus minutus Reut Miridae (HEM) Grass bug 

Alticus tibialis Reut Miridae (HEM) Grass bug 

Aphis craccivora Koch Aphididae (HEM) Cowpea aphid 

Apirocalus spp. Curculionidae (COL) Horned weevil 


Coccus longulus (Douglas) Coccidae (HEM) 

Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell) Pseudococcidae (HEM) Pineapple mealy bug 


Euborellia annulipes Lucas Labiduridae (DERM) 

Gryllotalpa africana Pal. Gryllotalpidae (ORTH) Mole crickets 

Homona coffearia Nietn. Tortricidae (LEP) Coffee leaf roller 

Lamprosema indica F. Pyralidae (LEP) Bean leaf rollers 

Lamprosema diemenalis (Guenee) Pyralidae (LEP) Bean leaf rollers 

Megalurothrips usitatus Bagnall Thripidae (THYS) 

Nysius epiensis China Lygaeidae (HEM) 

Orosius argentatus Evans Cicadellidae (HEM) 

Oxidus gacilis 


Philia femorata Walk. Pentatomidae (HEM.) 



Diseases: 

Seedling death Fungus Aspergillus niger van Tieghem. 


And Botryodiplodia theobromae 

Large leaf spot Fungus Leptosphaerulina trifolii 


Leaf spot Fungi Mycosphaerella arachidis Deighton 

And Mycosphaerella berkeleyi Jenkins 

Collar rot Fungus Phomopsis sp. 

Rust Fungus Puccinia arachidis Speg 

Root rot Fungus Pythium sp. 

And Rhizoctonia 

Blackening stems Fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris 

Bacterial wilt peanut Bacterium Pseudomonas solanacearum 

Mosaic Virus 

Leaf mottle Virus Marginal leaf chlorosis virus 

Mild mottle Virus Cowpea mild mottle virus 

Pests: 

Importance: A very popular snack food in all areas where it can be grown. Seeds are also sold.

53 

Names 

English: Winged bean Scientific name: Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC 

Tok pisin: Asbin Synonyms: 


Description: A climbing perennial bean up to 3 or 4 m 

tall. It can regrow each year from the fattened roots. 

The stems twine around supports or trail over the 

ground. The leaves have 3 leaflets. The leaf stalks are 

long. The leaflets are 8-15 cm long. The flowers are 

blue or white. They occur on the ends of branches from 

within the axils of leaves. Pods have wavy wings or are 

roughly square in cross section. They are 6-36 cm long 

with 5-30 seeds. Seeds can be white, yellow, brown or 

black. They are bedded in the solid tissues of the pod. 

The seeds are round smooth and brown with a small 

hilum. Nodules on the roots are many and large. 

Distribution: The bean grows from sea level up to 

about 1850 m altitude in the tropics. It normally only 

produces tubers between 1200 and 1850 m. Because of 

the effect of daylength is will not produce flowers or 

pods at places far removed from the equator. Winged 

bean is a short day plant. Winged bean is a plant 

ideally suited to the tropics including the hot humid 

lowlands. 

Papua New Guinea is a centre of diversity for winged beans and they are grown in many areas of 

the country. They can be seen from sea level up to about 2300 m altitude although they are less 

common above 1850 metres and normally only produce tubers between 1200 and 1850 m 

altitude. For maximum seed production winged beans need temperatures between 23°C and 

27°C and for tubers the temperatures should be between 18°C and 22°C. This means the main 

areas of production occur between 20°N and 10°S latitudes. Winged beans can grow on a wide 

variety of soils. Winged beans have been grown on soils with pH from 3.6 to 8.0. Soils that are 

very acid have soluble aluminium to which winged beans are sensitive. Soils should not be 

waterlogged. Winged beans are mostly self-pollinated but limited outcrossing has been reported. 

Hard seed coats have been reported from dried stored seed. The amount of vegetative growth 

increased with increasing pH from 4.7 to 5.5. Nitrogen percentage in tissues increased with pH 

from 4.7 to 6.2. Winged beans have been grown in soils with pH between 3.6 and 8.0. Winged 

bean is sensitive to aluminium in soil solution. Plants are intolerant of waterlogging. Flowering 

is reduced by low levels of sunlight. Shading improves pod length and seed number. Root knot 

nematode can cause severe damage in some places. 

Cultivation: Seeds are sown at the beginning of the rainy season. Seeds are planted 2-3 cm deep 

and about 25-35 cm apart. If seeds have been dried and stored then they can suffer from hard 

seed coats and this delays the germination of seeds. But normally seeds start to grow in about 15 

or 16 days. Plants grow slowly to start with, so weeding is important but then plants grow 

rapidly. After 46 to 92 days they are producing flowers. If fattened roots are important some of 

the leaves and flowers and tips are pruned off at this stage. These can be eaten. Pods develop 10 

to 13 weeks after planting and tubers occur 4-5 months after planting. 

For tubers, vines are pruned off at about 1 m high (or left unstaked) and some flowers are 

removed. Winged beans are grown for their edible roots, edible leaves, edible flowers, edible 

pods and edible seeds. The cultivation procedures vary slightly depending on which product is 

the preferred goal. The two main types of winged bean are short-podded ones that are used for

54 

tubers, and long podded ones that have poor tubers. Tuber production is poor in tropical lowland 

conditions. 

Production: The first green pods are ready about 10 weeks after sowing. Tubers are ready after 

4-8 months. Seed yields of 1.2 tons/ha and tuber yields of 4 tons/ha are possible. A single plant 

can produce up to 75 pods. Dry bean yields of 45 to 330 g per plant can be produced depending 

on variety. Tuber yields of 5500 to 12000 kg per hectare have been produced. Seeds can 

contain a trypsin inhibitor that reduces protein digestibility. This inhibitor is destroyed by 

soaking seeds then boiling them well. Tubers can also contain this chemical and need to be well 

cooked. 

Use: The young pods are edible. 

The ripe seeds are edible. 


The flowers are edible. 

The root tubers are edible. 

The seeds can be used to extract an edible oil. 




Seeds 8.5 1764 41.9 15.0 Tr 

Pods 92.0 105 2.1 

Leaves 95.0 197 5.0 6.2 809 30 1.3 

Roots 

Flowers 

57.4 619 11.6 2.0 0 0 1.4 

Insects: 




Araecerus fasciculatus Degeer Anthribidae (COL) 

Araeocorynus cumingi Jekel Anthribidae (COL) 

Erythroneura sp. Cicadellidae (HEM) 

Euproctis sp. Lymantriidae (LEP) 

Hedylepta spp. Pyralidae (LEP) 

Homeoxipha fuscipennis Gryllidae (ORTH) 



Lampides boeticus L. Lycaenidae (LEP) Pea Blue butterfly 



Leucoptera psophocarpella Brad. & Cart. Lyonetiidae (LEP) Winged bean blotch miner 

Maruca testulalis (Geyer) Pyralidae (LEP) Bean pod borer 

Mythimna loreyi (Dup.) Noctuidae (LEP) Rice armyworms 

Mythimna separata (Walk.) Noctuidae (LEP) Rice armyworms 

Nezara viridula (Linnaeus) Pentatomidae (HEM) Green Vegetable bug 

Nyctemera baulus Boisduval Arctiidae (LEP) 

Ophiomyia phaseoli (Try.) Agromyzidae (DIPT) Bean fly 

Oribius inimicus Mshl. Curculionidae (COL) Shot hole weevil 

Phaneroptera brevis Aud.-Serv Tettigoniidae (ORTH) Grasshopper 


Prosoplus oblique plagiatus Breuning Cerambycidae (COL) 

Riptortus annulicornis Boisd. Coreidae (HEM) 

Ropica honesta Pascoe Cerambycidae (COL)

55 

Spodoptera litura Fab. Noctuidae (LEP) Cluster caterpillar 


Zizina otis (F.) Lycaenidae (LEP) Common grass blue butterfly 

Zygina sp. Cicadellidae (HEM) 

Diseases: 

Flower blight Fungus Choanephora cucurbitarum 

Anthracnose Fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum 

Leaf spot Fungus Didymella sp. 

Collar rot Fungi Macrophomina phaseolina 

And Fusarium spp. 

And Thanatephorus cucumeris 

Sooty mould Fungus Meliola erythrinae var. psophocarpi 

Powdery mildew Fungus Erysiphe cichoracearum 

Leaf spot Fungus Pseudocercospora psophocarpi 

False rust Fungus Synchytrium psophocarpi Racib 

Leaf curl Possible virus 

Little leaf Possible mycoplasma like organism 

Pests: 

Importance: Winged bean is very important for tubers in the Eastern and Western Highlands of 

Papua New Guinea and moderately common for beans in other places. 

Winged bean – plant, 

pods, seeds, roots.

56 

Names 

English: Lablab bean Scientific name: Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Dolichos lablab L. 


Description: A climbing bean that can have vines 1-5 m 

long. It keeps growing from year to year. The stems can 

be smooth or hairy. Leaves are made up of 3 almost 

triangular leaflets. The leaflets are 5-15 cm long and 3-14 

cm wide. The side leaflets are somewhat asymmetrical. 

Often the plants are flushed purple. The flowering clusters 

are 5-20 cm long. Flowers are often white but can vary 

from red to blue. The pods are flattened, pointed and up to 

12 cm long and 2 cm wide. Inside there are 3-5 white or 

dark seeds. Seedpods have a wavy margin. The seeds are 

0.5-1.5 cm long. (This bean is similar to Lima bean but 

the keel of the flower in not spirally twisted, the pod ends 

more bluntly with a long thin style at the end and the 

hilum on the seed is longer.) 

Distribution: It mostly grows between 750 and 2175 m altitude in the tropics. It is drought 

resistant and can grow in quite low rainfall areas. In Nepal it grows to about 2500 m altitude. It 


Cultivation: Seeds are sown at 30 x 60 cm spacing near stakes or trees. About 20 kg of seed per 

hectare are required. Fertilising with nitrogen and potash until flowering is recommended. 

Young pods are ready 4-6 months after planting and seeds 6-8 months. Pods are often harvested 

over 2 or 3 years. Pollination and seed setting are reduced in cold weather. 

Production: Young pods are ready 4-6 months after planting and seeds 6-8 months. Pods are 

often harvested over 2 or 3 years. Pollination and seed setting are reduced in cold weather. 

Use: The young pods, ripe seeds and young leaves are edible, cooked. 

The seeds can also be sprouted then crushed and cooked. 

Caution: Many types can be poisonous unless boiled and the cooking water thrown away. 




Seed young 86.9 209 3.0 0.8 14 5.1 0.4 

Seeds dry 10.0 1428 22.8 9.0 Tr 

Pods 

Leaves 

82.0 4.5 10.0 1.0 

Insects: and probably other bean insects 


Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungus Ascochyta dolichi Fragaso 

Angular leaf spot Fungus Cercospora canescens Ellis and Martin 

Tip wilt Fungus Choanephora cucurbitarum 

Leaf blight Fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris 

Small twisted leaves Probably virus 

Pests: 

Importance: A traditional bean common and quite widely used in some Highland areas of 

Papua New Guinea.

57 

Names 

English: Yard long bean, Snake bean Scientific name: Vigna unguiculata subsp. 

sesquipedalis (L.) Verdc. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Vigna sesquipedalis (L.) Fruw. 


Description: A climbing bean with long pods. The 

vines can be 3 m long. They normally twine around 

sticks. Dwarf kinds also occur. Leaves have 3 leaflets. 

The leaflets are oval and side leaflets are at an angle. 

Leaflets can be 2-16 cm long by 1-12 cm wide. The 

centre leaflet can have lobes near the base and the side 

leaflets can have lobes on the outer edge. The leaf 

stalks can be 2-13 cm long. The flowering stalks are in 

the axils of leaves. There can be few or several 

flowers. The flowers can be white, yellow or blue. 

Flowers are 1-3 cm long by 1-3 cm wide. Pods are 

long (up to 90 cm) and flexible. The seeds can vary 

between white to dark brown. They are oblong or 

kidney shaped. Seeds are 4-12 mm long by 2-6 mm 

wide. 

Distribution: Plants grow in coastal areas in the tropics 

from sea level up to about 300 m in equatorial regions. 

Seeds germinate in moist soil over 22°C. For growth, 

day temperatures between 25-35°C and night 

temperatures not below 15°C are required. It suits wet 

areas and cannot tolerate drought. Plants are day length 

neutral. They perform best under full sunlight but can 

tolerate some shade. It has a high water requirement 

for the full-grown crop (6-8 mm per day). It can 

tolerate a wide range of soils with pH of 5.5-7.5. Seeds 

show no dormancy. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. Seeds germinate quickly (2-3 days) and plants grow 

rapidly. Flowering occurs after 5 weeks and harvesting of young pods can start 2 weeks later. 

Plants die after about 3-4 months. A spacing of 60 cm is suitable. Plants need sticks to climb 

up. Sticks about 2-2.5 m long are suitable. Often 5 or 6 seeds are sown around the one stick. 

Plants are often topped when growing too vigorously. It only grows as an annual bean so seeds 

need to be replanted each year. 

Production: The pods need to be harvested every 2 or 3 days. Diseases get worse if the bean 

does not have sticks to climb. The damage by bean pod borer is less if snake beans are grown 

intercropped with maize. 

Use: Both the young pods and leaves are eaten. 

The ripe seeds can also be eaten. 


Edible 

part 

Pods 

Seeds 

Leaves 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

58 

Insects: 

Anticarsia irrorata F. Noctuidae (LEP.) 


Cassena intermedia Jac. Chrysomelidae/Galerucidae (COL.) Leaf beetles 

Cassena papuana (Jac.) Chrysomelidae/Galerucidae (COL.) Leaf beetles 

Chrysodeixis chalcites (Esp.) Noctuidae (LEP) Green looper 


Ferrisia virgata (Cockerell) Pseudococcidae (HEM) 

Helopeltis clavifer (Walker) Miridae (HEM) Cacao mired 


Lampides boeticus L. Lycaenidae (LEP) Pea Blue butterfly or pod borer 


Lamprosema diemenalis Pyralidae (LEP) Bean leaf rollers 

(Guenee) 



Ophiomyia phaseoli (Tryon.) Agromyzidae (DIPT) Bean fly 

Oribius spp. Curculionidae (COL) Shot hole weevils 

Plautia brunneipennis Pentatomidae (HEM) Stink bug 

Riptortus spp. Coreidae (HEM) Pod sucking bug 

Saissetia coffeae (Walker) Coccidae (HEM) Coffee scale 


but often the damage is less than on other beans 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora canescens Ell. & Martin 

Leaf spot Fungus Choanephora cucurbitarum 

Powdery mildew Fungus Sphaerotheca fuliginea 

Rust Fungus Uromyces appendiculatus 

Mosaic Virus Cowpea mosaic virus 

Pests: 

Importance: The most common and important bean in coastal areas of Papua New Guinea.

59 

Names 

English: Cowpea Scientific name: Vigna unguiculata subsp. unguiculata (L.) Walp. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Vigna sinensis (Linn.) Savi ex Hassk. 


Description: A creeping bean type plant with straight 

firm pods. Both cover crop types (leafy) and grain 

types occur. There is a deep taproot and many 

branches occur from it in the surface of the soil. The 

root nodules are large and round. They can be 5 mm 

across. The leaves have 3 leaflets. The end leaflet can 

be 12-16 cm long. This leaflet is larger than the side 

leaflets. The side leaflets are assymetrical. The 

stipules at the base of the leaf are large and with spurs 

at their base. Flowers occur often in pairs on the end of 

long flowering shoots. This stalk can be 2 cm to 30 cm 

long. Only 2-4 flowers in each stalk produce pods. 

Flowers are white, yellow or blue. They are large and 

showy. The standard petal is 2-3 cm across. The pods 

are about 15 cm long. The seeds are white except for a 

dark scar. 

Distribution: It grows from sea level to 1800 metres altitude in the tropics. Plants can stand 

high temperatures. Some kinds can tolerate drought. They are sensitive to cold and killed by 

frost. They can grow on a range of soils providing they are well drained. They are a short day 

plant. They do well in the semiarid tropics. 

Cultivation: It is grown from seeds. Seed collection is easy. Seeds remain viable for several 

years if carefully stored. A seeding rate of about 20 kg per ha is suitable and seed are sometimes 

broadcast then thinned. Cowpeas mostly inbreed giving pure lines. 

Production: 

Use: The young leaves, young pods and ripe seeds are all eaten. 

The seeds are also used for bean sprouts. 


Edible part Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Pods 89.5 142 2.6 0.7 45 17.0 0.2 

Leaves 91.3 92 4.7 1.1 576 IU 18 0.2 

Seeds dry 11.2 1189 23.5 4.7 712 IU 35 0.3 

Seeds young 75.5 406 3.2 1.1 79 2.2 1.0 

Insects: 

Acrocercops caerulea Meyrick Gracillariidae (LEP.) 



Dysdercus cingulatus (F.) Pyrrhocoridae (HEM) Red cotton bug 

Dysdercus sidae Montr. Pyrrhocoridae (HEM) Red cotton bug 

Epilachna signatipennis Boisd. Coccinellidae (COL.) Leaf eating beetle 

Euproctis sp nr fulvistriata Lymantriidae (LEP.) 


Heliothis armiger Hubn. Noctuidae (LEP) Corn earworm 

Zinc 

mg

60 

Lampides boeticus L. Lycaenidae(LEP) Pea Blue butterfly 

Lamprosema indica F. Pyralidae(LEP) Bean leaf rollers 




Saissetia neglecta De Lotto Coccidae (HEM) 


and possibly some other bean insects 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria sp. 

Leaf spot Fungus Ascochyta phaseolarum 

Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora canescens 

Leaf spot Fungus Corynespora cassiicola 

Root rot Fungi Fusarium sp. 

and Athelia rolfsii 

Associated with leaf spot Fungus Periconia byssoides Pers. ex Schw. 

Leaf spot Fungus Phoma exigua 

Powdery mildew Fungus Sphaerotheca fuliginea 


Rust Fungus Uromyces appendiculatus 

Mosaic Virus Cowpea mosaic virus 

Storage rot Fungus Botrydiplodia theobromae 

Pests: 

Importance: 

It has become well accepted in some areas of Papua New Guinea. eg Baiyer River.

61 

Names 

English: Pigeon pea, Dhal Scientific name: Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. 



Description: An upright perennial shrubby legume. It 

lives for 3-4 years. They can be up to about 4 m tall 

and spreads to 1.5 m wide. The stem is erect and 

branching. It has a bushy appearance. It has a strong 

deep taproot. The root nodules are round and 

sometimes lobed. Young stems are angled and hairy. 

A leaf consists of 3 leaflets. Leaflets are narrow and 

green with a silvery green underneath. Leaflet size can 

be 10 cm x 3 cm. The end leaflet is larger with a longer 

leaf stalk. Flowers are red and yellow. The large petal 

has red lines. They are pea shaped and on branched 

flower stalks which stick upwards in the axils of leaves. 

Pods are long, straight and narrow, often with 4-8 

seeds. The pods are slightly hairy. Pods are often 4-8 

cm long and have a beak at the end. Pods are 

constricted between the seeds. Many varieties of 

pigeon pea occur. Some are dwarf and daylength 

neutral. Seeds vary in shape, size and colour. 

Distribution: Plants require a tropical or subtropical climate. Plants grow from sea level up to 

about 1800 m in the tropics. They can tolerate drought and are suited to a drier climate. They 

can grow in places with less than 600 mm rainfall per year. They do less well in the wet tropics. 

It suffers in waterlogged soils and is damaged by frost. It can also tolerate heat. It will grow on 

poor soils. It cannot grow on salty soils. It grows to about 2000 m in Nepal. It suits hardiness 

zones 10-12. 

Cultivation: They are grown from seeds. It is best to sow seeds where the plants are to grow. 

Seeds normally germinate easily and well. Before sowing seed it helps to soak them in cold 

water for one day. Seeds store well if kept cool and dry. A spacing of 1.5 m x 1.5 m is suitable. 

Plants can be cut back and allowed to regrow. Plants can also be grown from cuttings. 

Production: Plants are fast growing. Pods are ready after 5 months. Mature seeds take about 8 

months. Plants will often live for 3-4 years. Plants are cross-pollinated by insects, or selfpollinated. 

Use: Young leaves, shoots and pods are eaten. 

Ripe seeds are also edible. 

Bean sprouts can be produced and eaten. 

Preparation of the seeds for dahl is somewhat complicated. 




Seeds dry 10.0 1449 19.5 15.0 55 Tr 

Seeds young 

Pods 

Leaves 

71.8 464 6.0 1.6 13 28.1 0.8

62 

Insects: 

Agapophyta viridula Blote Pentatomidae (HEM) 

Ceroplastes rubens Maskell Coccidae (HEM) Pink wax scale 

Clavigralloides acantharis Fabricius Coreidae (HEM) 

Coptosoma pygmaeum Mont. Pentatomidae (HEM) 

Depsages granulosa Guerin-Meneville Cerambycidae (COL) 

Dysmiccocus brevipes (Cockerell) Pseudococcidae (HEM) Pineapple mealybug 

Heliothis armigera (Huebner) Noctuidae (LEP) Corn earworm 

Icerya purchasi Maskell Margarodidae (HEM) 


Lampides boeticus L. Lycaenidae (LEP) Pea Blue butterfly 



Maruca testulalis (Geyer) Pyralidae (LEP) Legume pod borer 

Mictis profana F. Coreidae (HEM) Crusader bug 

Phaneroptera brevis Aud.-Serv Tettigoniidae (ORTH) 


Platystomus wallacei Pascoe Anthribidae (COL) 

Polyomonatus boeticus (L) Lycaenidae (LEP) 

Pterolophia grisescens Pascoe Cerambycidae (COL.) 

Saissetia miranda (Cockerell & Parrott) Coccidae (HEM) 

Steatococcus samaraius Morrison Margarodidae (HEM) 


Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungus Mycovellosiella cajani (P.Henn) Rangel ex Trot. 

Pink disease Fungus Phanerochaete salmonicolor 

On seeds Fungus Aspergillus niger 

and Chaetomium sp. 

and Curvularia lunata 

and Fusarium solani 

and Penicillium sp. 

and Nigrospora oryzae 

Pests: 

Importance: A crop being tried out in many villages in Papua New Guinea. It is very popular in 

many tropical countries especially India and Pakistan. In these countries they are eaten at almost 

every meal.

63 

Names 

English: Soybean Scientific name: Glycine max (L.) Merr 



Description: A small erect bean up to 60 cm tall. It 

grows each year from seed. Straggling kinds can occur. 

Stems, leaves and pods are softly hairy. The leaves 

have 3 leaflets. The leaflets have stalks. Flowers are 

small and white or blue. They occur in groups in the 

axils of leaves. Pods have 2-4 seeds. The seeds can be 

yellow to black. 

Distribution: It suits lowland areas. It can be grown 

from sea level to 2000 m altitude. Many varieties will 

not flower in the tropics (short days). It needs fertile 

soil. The best soil acidity is pH 5.5 to 7.0. It is 

damaged by frost. In Nepal it grows to 1800 m 


Cultivation: It is grown from seed. Seeds need to be inoculated with bacteria before planting. 

Plants need to be about 20 cm apart. 

Production: Plants flower about 8 weeks after sowing and pods mature about 16 weeks after 

sowing. Often plants are pulled up and hung up before threshing out the seed. 

Use: The young pods and ripe seeds are eaten. They are used for flour. 

Sometimes the young leaves are eaten. 

The seeds are also used for sprouts and for making cooking oil and soya sauce etc. 

Because soybean contains a trypsin inhibitor they should be cooked and even the sprouts should 

be lightly cooked. 



% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Pods 

Seeds dry 9.0 1701 33.7 6.1 55 

Seeds young 68.0 584 13.0 3.8 16 27 0.9 

Seed sprouts 79.5 339 8.5 1.3 1 8.3 1.0 

Leaves 

Insects: 


Adoxophyes sp. Tortricidae (LEP.) Leaf roller 


Arsipoda tenimberensis Jacoby Chrysomelidae (COL) Black flea beetle 


Cassena intermedia Jac. Chrysomelidae/Galerucidae (COL) 

Cassena papuana (Jac.) Chrysomelidae/Galerucidae (COL) 

Chrysodeixis chalcites (Esp.) Noctuidae (LEP) Green looper 

Coelophora inaequalis F. Coccinellidae (HEM) 

Demonax collaris Pascoe Cerambycidae (COL) 


Halticus minutus Reuter Miridae (HEM) Flea hopper 

Zinc 

mg

64 

Hedylepta inaequalis F. Pyralidae (LEP) 









Ophiomyia phaseoli (Tryon) Agromyzidae (DIPT) Bean fly 

Oribius inimicus Mshl. Curculionidae (COL) 


Pseudaulacaspis pentagona (Targioni) Diaspididae (HEM) White scale 

Rhinoscapha funebris Chev. Curculionidae (COL) 

Rhyparidella wauensis Chrysomelidae (COL) 


Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungi Ascochyta sp. 

And Cercospora canescens 

Rust Fungus Phakopsora pachyrhizi Sydow 

Bacterial leaf spot Bacteria Xanthomonas campestris 

Leaf distortion Possibly virus 

Mosaic Possibly virus 

Yellow mosaic Virus 

Pests: 

Importance: These beans can be found in small amounts in many places throughout the country 

of Papua New Guinea. Soybean is a major food plant in warm temperate and subtropical zones.

65 

Names 

English: Lima bean Scientific name: Phaseolus lunatus L. 



Description: A perennial climbing bean. It is often a tall 

vigorously climbing plant that can keep growing for some 

years. The leaves are slightly rounded at the base and 

pointed at the tip. The flower is white or yellow. The keel 

of the flower is twisted which helps tell the difference 

between this bean and Lablab bean. The pods are long (10 

cm), flattened and curved and have 3-4 seeds that are very 

variable in colour. The seeds are large. The seeds have a 

short round hilum where the seed is attached to the pod. 

The seeds also have lines going out from this point across 

the bean seed. 

Distribution: In the tropics it is common between 500 and 

2100 m altitude but grows to the limit of cultivation (2700 

m). For germination it must have a soil temperature above 

15.5°C and cannot withstand frost. In very hot weather 

seeds often do not set. It is sensitive to a pH less than 6. 


Cultivation: It is grown from seed. Coloured seeds are often hard to get to grow but white 

seeded kinds start growing easily. Sow 3-4 seeds in a hill and put a stick 2-3 m tall in the 

middle. Hills should be about 1 m apart. Seeds should be 2-4 cm deep. 

Production: Harvesting can begin after about 100 days. Dried beans can be stored for several 

months. Yields of 0.12 kg of seeds per square metre have been obtained. 

Use: The leaves, young pods and seeds are all eaten. The seeds are eaten fresh or after drying. 

They are also fried in oil. Dried beans are boiled or baked. 

The seeds are sometimes grown as bean sprouts then cooked and eaten. 

Caution: Some kinds have poison (hydrocyanic acid). The poison is destroyed by thorough 

cooking. As well the beans contain a protein inhibitor but this is destroyed by cooking. 




Seeds dry 12.0 1407 19.8 5.6 Tr 0 

Seeds young 

Pods 

Leaves 

67.2 515 6.8 2.5 37 10.1 0.8 

Insects: Probably also other bean insects. 

Bean pod borer Maruca testulalis (Geyer) 

Diseases: Probably some other bean diseases as well. 

Rust Fungus Phakopsora vignae (Bres.) Arth. 

Concentric spots Fungus Phoma exigua 

Pests: 

Importance: A quite important and common bean in many highland areas of Papua New 

Guinea.

66 

Names 

English: Common bean Scientific name: Phaseolus vulgaris L. 

Tok pisin: Bin Synonyms: 


Description: This bean has very many varieties and 

varies a lot in details. Both short and climbing cultivars 

of this bean occur. It has a long taproot. Climbing 

forms can be 2-3 m tall. Bush types are 20-60 cm tall. 

The leaves are carried one after another along the stem 

and the leaves have 3 leaflets. The leaf stalk has a 

groove on the top. The side leaflets are asymmetrical 

in shape. The leaflets can be 8-15 cm by 5-10 cm. The 

flowers are in the axils of leaves and have few flowers 

in a loose form. Flowers are white to purple and pods 

smooth. Pods are slender and 8-20 cm long by 1-1.5 

cm wide. The pods are straight or slightly curved and 

with a beak at the end. Pods often have 10-12 seeds 

that are kidney shaped and coloured. 

Distribution: A temperate plant. It mostly grows from 

700 m to 2000 m altitude in the tropics. In the 

lowlands it suffers from pest and disease but it can be 

grown to sea level. It is not suited to the wet tropics. 

In Nepal it grows up to 1200 m altitude. It suits 


Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. Seed should preferably be planted on raised beds. 

Climbing types need stakes. Plants are self-fertilised. Seeds remain viable fro 2 years. 

Germination is normally good if seed have been well stored. In many places these beans are 

intercropped with other plants. If they are grown on their own, bush types can be spaced at 25 

cm by 25 cm. Or they can be put closer together in rows wider apart to make weeding and 

harvesting easier. For dried beans, once the pods are mature and turning yellow, the whole 

plants are pulled, then dried and threshed. 

Production: Dwarf kinds take 6-8 weeks to mature and climbing types take 10-12 weeks. 

Picking starts 2 weeks after flowering. Yields of dried beans of 1,200 kg per hectare are 

possible. 

Use: The young pods, leaves and mature seeds are edible. 




Seeds dry 10.0 1386 25.0 8.0 10 1 2.8 

Seeds young 92.0 142 3.0 0.8 20 0.2 

Pods 88.0 151 2.5 1.4 750 27 0.2 

Seed sprouts 

Leaves 

90.7 121 4.2 0.8 0 38.7 0.4 

Insects: 


Atherigona orientalis Schiner Muscidae (DIPT) Shootfly 

Aulacophora spp. Olivier Chrysomelidae (COL) Pumpkin beetles

67 

Cassena intermedia Jac. Chrysomelidae/Galerucidae (COL) Leaf beetles 

Cassena papuana (Jac.) Chrysomelidae/Galerucidae (COL) Leaf beetles 

Colposcelis vignaphila Bryant Chrysomelidae (COL) 

Epilachna signatipennis Boisd. Coccinellidae (COL) Leaf eating beetle 

Euricania villica Ricaniidae (HEM) Plant hopper 

Halticus minutus Reuter Miridae (HEM) Flea hopper 



Hyposidra talaca (Wlk.) Geometridae (LEP) 


Maruca testulalis Pyralidae (LEP) 

Nezara viridula (L) Pentatomidae (HEM) Green vegetable bug 



Pseudaulacaspis pentagona (Targioni) Diaspididae (HEM) 


and other insects 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria tenuis 

Leaf spot Fungus Ascochyta phaseolarum 

Collar rots Fungus Athelia rolfsii 

Grey mould Fungus Botryotinia fuckeliana 

Anthracnose Fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum (Sacc. & Mag.) 

Angular leaf spot Fungus Phaeoisariopsis griseola 

Leaf blight & collar rot Fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris (Frank) Donk. 

Leaf spots Fungi Cercospora canescens 

(on old leaves) and Cladosporium oxysporum 

and Corynespora casiicola 

and Periconia byssoides 

Floury white mould Fungus Mycovellosiella phaseoli (Drummond) Deighton 

Rust Fungus Uromyces appendiculatus (Pers.) Unger 

Mosaic Virus Bean common mosaic virus ? 

Bacterial blight Bacteria Xanthomonas phaseolin 

On seeds Fungus Aspergillus sp. 

Pests: 

Importance: Of considerable importance at high altitude locations in the tropics.

68 

Names 

English: Pea Scientific name: Pisum sativum L. 



Description: A short-lived plant. It is a creeping plant 

with white or pink flowers. Plants can be 30 cm to 150 

cm tall. It has a well-developed taproot and many 

slender side roots. The stem is weak and round. 

Leaves are made up of 1-3 pairs of leaflets and a 

branched tendril at the end. There are large leaf-like 

stipules at the base of the leaf. The lower half of these 

stipules has teeth. The flowers occur in the axils of 

leaves and are either on their own or in 2-3 flowered 

clusters with equal length stalks. The pods are swollen 

and green and can have up to 10 seeds inside. Seed 

shape can vary. Large numbers of varieties have been 

recorded. 

Distribution: Plants grow best at altitudes over 1000 m 

in the tropics. They suit a humid climate. Hot dry 

weather interferes with seed setting. They are frost 

tolerant except at flowering. It is a temperate plant and 

needs temperatures of 13°C to 18°C. They need a pH 

of 5.5-6.5 and reasonably good fertility. They cannot 

tolerate waterlogging or very acid soils. It suits 


Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. Seed can be collected for re-sowing. A spacing about 

5 cm apart in rows 25 cm apart is suitable. Seed can be 3-5 cm deep. If rotting is a problem, 

plants can be supported off the ground. Plants need inoculation with bacteria for good 

production. For dried peas plants are cut when mature then dried and threshed. 

Production: 

Use: Mostly the young seeds are eaten. They can be eaten raw or cooked. 

Sometimes the young pods and leaves are eaten. 

The young leaves and buds are cooked as a vegetable. 




Seeds 

Pods 

Leaves 

78.5 223 5.0 1.2 300 15 0.5 

Insects: 



Cassena papuana (Jac.) Chrysomelidae/Galerucidae (COL.) Leaf beetles 



Lampides boeticus L. Lycaenidae (LEP) Pea blue butterfly 

Lamprosema diemenalis (Guenee) Pyralidae (LEP) Bean leaf rollers

69 


Lyriomyza brassicae (Riley) Agromyzidae (DIPT) Cabbage leaf miner 

Phaneroptera brevis Aud.-Serv Tettigoniidae (ORTH) 


Spodoptera exempta (Walker) Noctuidae(LEP) African armyworm 


Tetranychus marianae McGregor Tetranychidae ACARINA Red spider mite 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungus Mycosphaerella pinodes (Berk & Blex) Vest. 

Brown mould Fungus Fulvia fulvum 

Powdery mildew Fungus Oidium sp. 


Mosaic Probably virus 

Dry rot seeds Fungus Penicillium sp. 

Pests: 

Importance: Gaining importance in some highlands areas in the tropics.

70 

Names 

English: Jack bean Scientific name: Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC. 



Description: A perennial climber, although short kinds do 

occur. Often it is a more bushy plant than the sword bean. 

Plants grow up to 1.5 m long. Stems can be hairy. Leaves 

have 3 leaflets. The leaflets are oval and 5.7-20 cm long by 

3.2-11.5 cm wide. The leaf tends to be wedge shaped at the 

base. The leaf stalks are 2.5-11 cm long. Flowers are 

red/purple. They occur on flower clusters 5-12 cm long and 

with flower cluster stalks that are 10-34 cm long. The 

individual flower stalks are 2-5 mm long. Pods are long and 

sword shaped. Pods can be 15-35 cm long. Seeds are white 

with a light brown hilum half as long as the seed. Seeds are 2 

cm long, by 1 cm across. 

Distribution: It grows in tropical and subtropical places. It 

requires a fairly high temperature (15°-30°C). It will 

possibly grow up to 900 m altitude. It is fairly drought 

resistant and also has some resistance to water-logging and 

salt in the soil. It can tolerate shade. It can tolerate pH from 

4.5 - 8.0 but does best at about 6.1. The optimum mean 

annual temperature is 14.4°-27.8°C. 

Cultivation: It is grown from seeds. Seeds need to be 2 cm deep. A spacing of about 60 cm is 

suitable. Plants preferably need a support to climb over. It benefits from a fertile soil but adding 

nitrogen depresses yield. 

Production: Green pods are produced in 3-4 months, but ripe seeds need 6-9 months. Yield of 

seeds can range from 700 to 5,400 kg / ha. 

Use: The leaves and top shoots are eaten. 

The young pods are eaten. 

The flowers can be eaten. 

The young and ripe seeds are eaten. 

Caution: The ripe seeds can contain poison and need to be well cooked and the water changed 

before eating. They are also often left under running water or fermented. 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Pods 88.0 155 2.4 

Seeds 10.0 1423 20.4 4.9 160 0 

Flowers 

Leaves 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Leaves small & distorted Probably virus 

Pests: 

Importance: It is being accepted and grown in some coastal and mid altitude areas. 

Zinc 

mg

71 

Names 

English: Sword bean Scientific name: Canavalia gladiata (Jacq) DC 



Description: A climbing or sometimes a bushy and 

upright bean plant. Mostly it is a climber. It can be 4 m 

long. The leaves have 3 large leaflets. The leaflets are 

oval and 7.5-20 cm long by 5-12 cm wide. The top of the 

leaf can narrow abruptly to a tip while the base can be 

rounded or broadly wedge shaped. The leaves are slightly 

hairy on both surfaces. The leaf stalk is 5-12 cm long. 

The flowers are in groups and are white. The flower 

cluster is 7-12 cm long and the flower cluster stalk 4-20 

cm long. The individual flower stalks are 2 mm long. The 

pods are long (20-40 cm) and curved. Seeds are coloured 

red or pink. The hilum is dark brown and almost as long 

as the seed. 

Distribution: It requires a tropical climate. Temperatures 

of 20-30°C suit it well and it grows from sea level to about 

1000 m altitude in equatorial zones. They are drought and 

salt resistant. They can grow on lowland tropical nutrient 

depleted soils. They can grow on soils with pH from 4.5- 

7.0. They can tolerate some shade. 

Cultivation: They are grown from seeds. Seeds germinate readily and the plant is relatively fast 

growing. Seeds can be sown 5 cm deep. Plants should be 60-70 cm apart. Climbing types need 

support. Often natural supports such as trees, walls and fences are used in backyard production. 

For large scale production 25-40 kg/ha of seed are needed. 

Production: Green seeds/pods are produced in 3-4 months and mature seeds in 5-10 months. 

Seed yields of 700-900 kg/ha are possible. Green pods are hand picked when 10-15 cm long 

before they swell and become fibrous. 

Use: Young pods are cooked and eaten. 

Seeds can be cooked and eaten, but the water should be changed. 

Caution: The seeds can be poisonous due to hydrocyanic acid and saponin. 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Pods 89.0 142 2.8 

Seeds 15.0 1335 27.1 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: Only occasionally grown. 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

72 

Names 

English: Mung bean Scientific name: Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Phaseolus mungo L. non Roxb. 


Description: A small annual bean with hairy pods. It is 

an erect herb 20-80 cm tall. Sometimes the stems are 

twining. The stems have dense yellow or rusty hairs. 

Leaves have 3 leaflets. The leaflets are oval and 3-10 

cm long by 1-5.5 cm wide. The leaf stalks are long but 

the leaflets stalks are short. Flowers are yellow. They 

are 1-2 cm long in dense flower clusters. The fruit is a 

pod 4-7 cm long. They are 5-6 mm wide. Seeds are 

small and black. There are 4 to 10 seeds per pod. 

Seeds are 4-4.5 mm long by 4 mm wide. They have 

square ends. 

Distribution: Mainly coastal but probably will grow up 

to 1800 m altitude in the tropics. It suits dry areas. It is 

drought resistant. It is grown in areas with rainfall of 

900 mm per year. It cannot stand frost or long periods 

of cloud. It is not suited to the wet tropics. In Nepal 

they grow to 2000 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 

10-12. 

Cultivation: It is grown from seed. Seed collection is easy. Seed can be broadcast or sown as 

individual plants 25 cm apart. 

Production: Flowering commences after 6 weeks. Plants are self-pollinated. Pods are ready to 

harvest 2 to 4 months after planting. Pods shatter easily. It is easiest to pull the whole plant, dry 

them for a week then thresh out the seeds. Seed yields of 450-560 kg per hectare after 80 - 120 

days are common. 100 seeds weigh about 4 g. 

Use: The ripe seeds are eaten. They are mostly eaten as dahl in India. They are fried and roasted 

and eaten as a snack. 

The young pods and young leaves are also edible. 

The beans are also used for bean sprouts. 

The seeds are used in lentil soup, parched and ground into flour for porridge, or baked into 

bread. 




Seeds dry 12.0 981 22.0 8.0 24 Tr 

Seeds young 

Pods 

Leaves 

93.4 88 2.0 0.7 1 11.4 0.5 

Insects: 


Amblypelta spp. Coreidae (HEM) Tip wilt bug 

Anticarsia irrorata F. Noctuidae (LEP) 


Apirokcalus spp. Curculionidae (COL) Horned weevil

73 

Aulacophora similis Olivier Chrysomelidae (COL) Pumpkin beetles 


Cassena papuana (Jac.) Chrysomelidae/Galerucidae (COL) Leaf beetles 

Henosepilachna signatipennis Boisd. Coccinellidae (COL) Leaf eating ladybirds 

Henosepilachna haemorrhoea (Biel) Coccinellidae (COL) Leaf eating ladybirds 


Lampides boeticus L. Lycaenidae (LEP) Pea blue butterfly 

Lamprosema diemenalis (Guenee) Pyralidae (LEP) Bean leaf roller 

Lamprosema indica F. Pyralidae (LEP) Bean leaf roller 



Melacanthus argineguttatus Alydidae (HEM) 

Monolepta semiviolacea Fauvel Chrysomelidae (COL) Beetles 

Nezara viridula (Linnaeus) Pentatomidae (HEM) Green vegetable bug 



Piezodorus rubrofasciatus Fab. Pentatomidae (HEM) 

Rhyparida coriacea Jac. Chrysomelidae (COL) 

Rhyparidella wauensis Chrysomelidae (COL) 


Diseases: 


Leaf spot Fungus Phoma exigua 


Leaf spot Fungus Myrothecium roridum Tode ex Fr. 


Mosaic Virus 

Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita 

Pests: 

Importance: It is being encouraged and grown in a number of coastal areas in Papua New 

Guinea. It is a very important crop in India for dahl and porridge.

74 

Names 

English: Green gram bean Scientific name: Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Phaseolus aureus Roxb. 


Description: An upright hairy bean plant that can grow 

to 1 m tall. It has many branches. The leaves have 3 

leaflets and are dark green. The leaves are on long leaf 

stalks. There are oval stipules at the base of the leaf. 

Flowers are pale yellow and small. They occur in 

bunches of 10-20 on the ends of long hairy flower 

stalks. Pods are black and straight. They do not have a 

beak. Pods contain 10-20 seeds that are usually green 

or golden yellow. They are smaller than black gram. 

The beans can be black. They have a flat white hilum. 

There are 2,000 varieties. 

Distribution: The plant will grow from sea level up to 

probably 2000 m in the tropics. It is drought resistant 

but can't stand water-logging. Plants are damaged by 

frost. They cannot stand salinity. 

Rainfall at flowering is detrimental. It requires a deep soil. Both short day and long day kinds 

occur. It can grow where annual temperatures are from 8°C to 28°C. It can tolerate a pH from 

4.3-8.1. In Nepal it grows up to 1000 m altitude. It suits a drier climate. It suits hardiness zones 

10-11. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. In some areas these are broadcast while for small plots 

often 2-3 seeds are sown in holes 50-60 cm apart. Seeding rates of 6 to 22 kg per ha are used in 

different locations. It normally requires phosphorus fertiliser for adequate growth. Seeds 

germinate in 3-5 days. 

Production: Green pods are ready after about 2 months and ripe pods may take another 1-2 

months. For ripe beans the whole plant is harvested and dried before threshing. Yields of 450- 

560 kg/ha of seeds are common. 

Use: Seeds are eaten ripe. They are eaten raw or roasted. The seeds can be germinated for 

sprouts. Young pods can be eaten. Young leaves can be eaten. 



% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Seeds 11.0 1432 22.9 7.1 55 4 

Seed sprouts 90.4 126 3.0 0.9 2 13.2 0.4 

Pods 

Leaves 

Insects: Probably similar to other beans 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora canescens 


Yellow mosaic Possibly virus 

Pests: 

Importance: Not widely grown in Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

75 

Names 

English: Rice bean Scientific name: Vigna umbellata (Thunb.) Ohwi & Ohashi 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Phaseolus calcaratus Roxb.; 


Description: A climbing bean plant with a slender hairy 

vine. It is twining and an annual plant. It grows from 

seed each year. It grows to 1.5-3 m long. Stems are hairy. 

Leaves have 3 leaflets that can vary in shape. They are 

mostly oval and 3-13 cm long by 1.5-7 cm wide. They 

taper towards the tip and are rounded at the base. Usually 

they are hairy. The leaf stalks are 3-16 cm long. Flowers 

are about 1.5 cm long in dense cone shaped clusters. 

These flowering stalks can be 3-10 cm long. The flowers 

are yellow. The fruit are straight pods about 10 cm long 

and 5 mm wide. Seeds are small (5-8 mm long) and 

yellow to brown. The pods split open easily. The seeds 

can be yellow, green, brown, red, black or mottled. 

Distribution: It grows from 0-1800 m altitude in the tropics. It suits wet climates. It 

occasionally becomes self sown in coastal grasslands. It needs a sunny potected position. They 

are drought and frost tender. 

Cultivation: It is grown by seeds. Seed collection is easy. Seeds often have a hard skin that 

must be broken (eg by scraping) before seeds will germinate easily. 

Production: 

Use: The young pods and ripe seeds are eaten. The young leaves can be eaten. 

The seeds are used in bean sprouts. (Seeds should be cooked or crushed if fed to pigs.) 


Edible Moisture Energy Protein Calcium Iron 

part 

Pods 

% KJ g mg mg 

Seeds 

Leaves 

13.0 1373 20.9 10.9 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Insects: 

Bean pod borer Maruca testulalis Geyer (LEP) 

Ladybird Epilachna signatipennis Boisd. Coccinellidae (HEM) 

Green vegetable bug Nezara viridula L. Pentatomidae (HEM) 

Diseases: 

Blossom blight Fungus Choanephora cucurbitarum (Berk. & Rav.) Thaxter 

False rust Fungus Synchytrium phaseoli Weston 

Rust Fungus Uromyces sp. 

Mosaic Probably due to a virus 

On seeds Fungus Aspergillus niger 

and Penicillium sp 

and Periconia byssoides 

and Rhizopus nigricans 

and Verticillium sp. 

Pests: 

Importance: Seen occasionally in several areas in Papua New Guinea but only of minor 

importance as a food. 

Zinc 

mg

76 

Names 

English: Scarlet runner bean Scientific name: Phaseolus coccineus subsp. coccineus L. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Phaseolus multiflorus Lam. 


Description: A climbing bean. The stems are often 

hairy. It grows 1.8-2.4 m high. It can spread 1.8-2.4 m 

wide. It twines around a trellis. The leaves are 

compound and have three leaflets. The flowers are 

bright red. They are in clusters 2.5 cm long. The pods 

are long (30 cm) and with a wavy edge. The seeds are 

large and can be several different colours. It sometimes 

has a root tuber. 

Distribution: It is grown in the highlands in the tropics. 

On the coast seedlings die and pods are not formed. It 

is damaged by frost. It suits hardiness zones 8-10. 

Cultivation: It is grown from seeds. Seed are planted 2.5 cm deep. Plants are spaced 20 cm 

apart. It needs sticks to climb up. It can be allowed to re-grow from the tubers or the tubers replanted. 

Production: It grows quickly. 

Use: The very young pods can be eaten. 

The seeds are edible. 

The tubers can be eaten after they are cooked and the cooking water thrown away. 




Seeds 

Pods 

Tubers 

12.0 1419 20.3 9.0 Tr 7 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: Only occasionally grown in Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

77 

Names 

English: Velvet bean Scientific name: Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Stizolobium pruriens (L.) Medic 


Description: An evergreen vine. It climbs to 6 m high. 

It can regrow each year or live for a few years. The 

stems are slender with long, slender branches. They are 

very hairy when young. The leaves are alternate with 

sword shaped leaves. The leaf stalks are hairy. There 

are 3 leaflets. The leaflets are 5-19 cm long and 4-16 

cm wide. The leaflets are rounded at the base and the 

side leaflets are unequal in shape. The flowers are 

large and white with bluish butterfly shaped petals. 

They occur in clusters of 2 or 3. The flowers are 2-4 

cm long. The fruit are thick, leathery pods covered 

with hairs. They are 10 cm long and contain 4-6 seeds. 

The pods are dark brown. 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant. It does best in a 

rich, moist, well-drained soil. It needs a protected, 

sunny position. It is damaged by drought and frost. 

They need a temperature above 8°C. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. The seed need treatment to assist them to germinate. 

Production: 

Use: The pods are burnt over a fire to remove the prickles then the beans are soaked until they 

sprout and then washed and boiled or pounded. 




Seeds 7.29 29.3 4.8 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: It is a common plantation cover crop and is probably rarely used as food. 

Zinc 

mg

78 

Names 

English: Velvet bean Scientific name: Mucuna pruriens var utilis 

(L.)DC, (Wall.ex Wight) Baker ex Burck 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Mucuna utilis Wall. ex Wight 


Description: A climbing bean with vines 2-3 m long. 

The stems are slender and twining. The leaves have 3 

leaflets. Leaves are hairy when young but without hairs 

when older. Leaflets are about 10-18 cm long x 8-15 

cm wide. Leaves are dark green above and paler 

underneath. Flowers are purplish. Pods are 9-14 cm 

long, hard, curved and covered with soft hairs. There 

are 4-6 white seeds inside. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. A bean of low altitudes. 

The wild species is used as a cover crop in coconut 

plantations. It needs a sunny pocation. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. They can also be grown from cuttings. 

Production: 

Use: The young leaves, young pods and ripe seeds are edible cooked. 



part 

Seeds 

Pods 

Leaves 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: Plants are grown and used occasionally in some coastal areas of Papua New 

Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

79 

Names 

English: D'Albertis creeper Scientific name: Mucuna albertissi F.v.M. 



Description: A climbing legume. It grows 5-20 m 

long. It has a brown rusty appearance and short hairs 

on the stem and leaves. The leaf stalk is 3.5-10 cm 

long. The leaves are compound. The leaflets are 6-16 

cm long by 6-13 cm wide. They taper at the tip. 

Normally there are a clump of white or yellow flowers 

together. They are on a stalk 7-25 cm long. This stalk 

zigzags. The flower stalks are 2 cm long. The pod has 

wings along the edge and sides. The pod is 6-11 cm 

long. The seeds can be black or grey. They are 1.7 cm 

long by 1.4 cm wide. The hilum is black. 

Distribution: It grows in rainforest and bush from near 

sea level to over 2000 m altitude. 

Cultivation: It grows wild. 

Production: 

Use: The seeds are cooked and eaten. 


Edible 

part 

Seeds 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea, a minor wild edible plant. It is eaten at least in the Mendi 

area. 

Zinc 

mg

80 

Names 

English: Broad bean Scientific name: Vicia faba 



Description: An upright plant up to 1 m tall. Plants vary 

in height from 30 cm to 180 cm. It has a well developed 

taproot. It has square stems which are hollow. They have 

wings at the angles. There can be 1-7 branches from near 

the base of the plant. The leaves have leaflets along the 

leaf stalk and ending in a short point. There are 2-6 

leaflets. These are 5-10 cm long. Flowers occur in the 

axils of leaves and there are 1-6 flowers on a stalk. The 

flowers are white with black spots. Pods are large and fat 

and contain several large beans inside. The pods are 5-10 

cm long in field varieties and can be 30 cm long in garden 

varieties. They are fleshy with a white velvety lining. 

They become tough and hard at maturity. The seeds can 

vary a lot in shape and size. They can be flat or rounded 

and white, green, brown, purple or black. They are 1-2.6 

cm long. The hilum along the seeds is prominent. 

Distribution: A temperate plant only suitable for the highlands over about 1200 m. in the 

tropics. It mainly occurs between 1900 - 2700 m altitude in equatorial zones. It is frost tolerant. 

In the lowland hot tropics it often flowers but does not set seed. It requires fertile soils. It does 

best with adequate lime. In Nepal they grow to 1800 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 8-10. 

Cultivation: The crop is grown from seed. Seeds are sown at 15 to 40 cm spacing. If the seed 

pod formation is poor, it can be improved by pinching out the tops of the plants when in flower. 

Hand pollination also helps. Plants are self pollinated but also cross pollinated by insects. 

Production: Time to maturity is 12-16 weeks. Yields in the cool tropics vary between 1 and 2 

tons per hectare. 

Use: It is mostly the young beans that are eaten. The ripe beans and leaves are also edible. 

The tender pods are eaten as a vegetable. The beans should be well cooked. 

Caution: Some people, mainly of Mediterranean origin can get a disease called Favism from 

these beans. Also they can react with some people using some antidepressant drugs. 




Seed 

Leaves 

Pods 

83.7 259 4.8 1.5 27 20 0.5 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Leaf spot Fungi Ascochyta sp. & Cladosporium sp. 

Sooty mould Fungus Epicoccum sp. 

Leaf blight Fungus Fusarium sp. 

Leaf spot Fungus Phoma sp. 

Rust Fungus Uromyces viciae-fabae 

Importance: Moderately common in some highland areas of Papua New Guinea but does not 

produce well. It is a major crop in China.

81 

Names 

English: Guar bean Scientific name: Cyamopsis tetragonolobus (L.) Taub 



Description: An upright bushy plant often only 1 m 

high. Some kinds grow 3 m high. The branches are 

stiff and usually with white hairs. The branches stick 

upwards and are angled and with grooves. The leaves 

are produced alternately and have 3 leaflets. The 

leaflets are oval and with slight saw teeth around the 

edge. The leaf stalks have grooves. The flowers are 

small in clusters in the axils of leaves. The flowers are 

white with pink wings. It produces clusters of thick 

fleshy pods. They are stiff and straight. There is a 

double ridge along the top of the pod and a single one 

below. There are also 2 ridges along the flat sides. 

The pods have a beak at the end. There are 8-10 small 

oval seeds inside. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. It is a hardy drought 

resistant plant. It suits dry areas. It grows well on 

alluvial and sandy soils. 

Cultivation: They are grown from seed. Often they are grown in mixed cropping situations. 

Production: Plants mature in 3 to 3.5 months. 

Use: The green immature pods are eaten cooked. 

The seeds contain a gum used as a thickening agent. 




Pods 82.0 3.7 5.8 198 49 

Seeds 11.8 29.8 

Insects: 

Diseases: 


Pests: 

Importance: This bean has only been tried in small trial plots in Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

82 

Names 

English: Chickpea, Scientific name: Cicer arietinum L. 



Description: An annual legume. Plants are 40-60 cm high 

and all parts are hairy. It is erect with many branches. 

Plants are often bluish green in colour. Plants have a 

strong taproot. The root carries many nodules. The leaves 

are 5 cm long. It has leaves made up of 9-15 pairs of 

leaflets along a stalk and a single leaflet at the end. The 

leaflets are 1-2 cm long by 0.3-1.4 cm wide and strongly 

pointed and with a saw toothed edge. The flowers can be 

white, pink or purple. The flowers are carried singly on 

long stalks in the axils of leaves. The flowers normally 

never open and are self pollinated. The pods are inflated. 

Pods are 2-3 cm long and have 1 or 2 seeds. The seeds are 

angular and up to 1 cm across. They have a pointed beak. 

The seed colour can vary from brown, white, red or black. 

Distribution: A subtropical crop. It suits high altitudes in the tropics because it needs cold 

nights with dew. It is well suited to semi arid regions. It can tolerate salt and drought. It does 

not do well in warm, humid places. It needs well drained soil. It is damaged by frost. For best 

growth, night temperatures between 18-26°C and day temperatures of 21-29°C, are required. 

The temperature range of 8°C between day and night is required. Rainfall of 600-750 mm and a 

relative humidity of 20-40% is suitable. The best pH is 5.5-7.5 but they will grow on alkaline 

soils. In Nepal they are grown up to 1300 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 8-11. 

Cultivation: It is grown from seed. Often other crops are grown mixed with chickpea but these 

are planted 3-4 weeks after sowing the chickpea. Seed should be at 2-12 cm depth. Seed will 

germinate at temperatures above 5°C but are best above 15°C. Spacing plants 10 cm apart in 

rows 25-30 cm apart is suitable if plants are put in rows. Plants are cut and harvested when 

leaves turn brown. 

Production: Yields of 400-1600 kg per hectare of seed, are average. Plants can reach maturity 

in 4.5-5 months but 7 months or longer, are taken for some types. 

Use: Mainly the ripe seeds are eaten. Often they are boiled and mashed. 

The young leaves, shoots and pods are sometimes eaten. 

The seeds can be roasted, boiled or fried. 




Seeds 

Pods 

Leaves 

9.9 1362 20.2 6.4 190 3 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: Very rarely grown in Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

Green leafy vegetables or Kumus 

84 


Chinese amaranth Aupa Amaranthus tricolor 85 

Purple amaranth Amaranthus cruentus 87 

Grain amaranth Amaranthus caudatus 88 

Green amaranth Amaranthus viridus 89 

Spleen amaranth Amaranthus dubius 90 

Slender amaranth Amaranthus lividus 91 

Native amaranth Amaranthus interruptus 92 

Prickly amaranth Amaranthus spinosus 93 

Sunset Hibiscus Aibika Abelmoschus manihot 94 

Spinach joint fir Tu-lip Gnetum gnemon 96 

Water dropwort Oenanthe javanica 98 

Rungia Rungia klossii 99 

Blackberried nightshade Karakap Solanum nigrum 100 

Plentiful fig Kumu musong Ficus copiosa 101 

Ficus wassa 102 

Lovo Ficus pungens 103 

Highlands breadfruit Hailans kapiak Ficus dammaropsis 104 

White sandpaper fig Ficus hispida 105 

Dye fig Ficus tinctoria 106 

Swamp morning glory Kangkong Ipomoea aquatica 107 

Valanguar Polyscias verticillata 108 

Panax Polyscias fruticosa 109 

Polyscias scutellaria 110 

Polyscias macgillivrayi 111 

Kalava Ormocarpum orientale 112 

Nasturtium schlechteri 113 

Watercress Wara kebis Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum 114 

Common comfrey Symphytum officinale 115 

Waterleaf Talinum triangulare 116 

Silver beet Beta vulgaris ssp. cicla 117 

Sweet leaf Sauropus androgynus 118 

Drumstick tree Moringa oleifera 119 

Leucaena Leucaena leucocephala 120 

Indian spinach Basella alba 121 

Hibiscus Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 122 

Wandering Jew Commelina cyanea 123 

Wandering Jew Commelina diffusa 124 

Dicliptera papuana 125 

Indian coral tree Palpal Erythrina variegata 126 

Coral tree Erythrina variegata var. orientalis 127 

Deeringia amaranthoides 128 

Spider flower Cleome gynandra 129 

Purslane Portulaca oleracea 130 

Spinach Spinacia oleracea L. 131 

Striped cucumber Kongakonga Diplocyclos palmatus 132

85 

Names 

English: Joseph’s coat, Chinese amaranth Scientific name: Amaranthus tricolor L. 

Tok pisin: Aupa Synonyms: 

Tok ples: Plant family: Amaranthaceae 

Description: A herb that grows about 1 m high and 

spreads 45 cm wide. It is a small annual leafy green. 

An upright, much branched annual with a thin 

membrane covering the stems. Sometimes the plant 

lies over. The stems are angular. The plant branches in 

the upper part of the plant. It is smooth and grows from 

seed each year. Leaves have long leaf stalks that can be 

5-10 cm long. Leaves vary in shape, size and colour. 

The leaf blade can be 5-25 cm long by 2-6 cm wide. 

Leaves are dull purplish and the top leaves can be 

yellow or red. Some types have coloured leaves or 

patterns on the leaves. It has a clumpy seed head at the 

top. The flower spike at the top can be 30 cm long. 

The seed are 1-1.2 mm across and black. 

Distribution: It grows in many tropical and warm 

temperate places. Plants grow wild in waste places. 

Amaranths grow from sea level to 2400 m altitude in 

the equatorial tropics. For amaranth seeds to germinate 

they need a temperature above 15°-17°C. In the higher areas of the equatorial highlands above 

1800 m., temperatures on the average are probably below this during the cooler months. It may 

be more difficult to get amaranths started during these months. It suits hardiness zones 8-11. 

Cultivation: The very small seeds of these plants are scattered over the ashes or fine soil in 

fertile ground. The seed are normally sown by rubbing the dry seed heads between the hands 

and letting the seed drop. Some types are self-sown. These plants grow in most tropical 

countries. The soil must be fertile. If they are put in an old garden they will only grow very 

poorly. So they are either put in a new garden site when it is cleared from bush, or in build up 

the old ground by adding compost. The small gardens close to a house can often be built up to a 

good fertility by using the scraps and ashes and things that are left over near houses. Amaranths 

need high amounts of two nutrients, nitrogen and potash. The ashes from fires are high in potash 

so farmers scatter seeds of amaranth over areas where they have burnt. Amaranths are tropical 

plants grown in most tropical countries. Normally the hotter it is the better they grow. They also 

like plenty of sunlight and do not suit shaded places. The more sunlight the better they grow. 

They need to have water most of the time they are growing. In areas with a high rainfall this is 

mostly not a big problem. 

Production: Plants can be harvested when small due to thinning out closely spaced plants. 

These can be either transplanted or eaten cooked. Plants can be harvested whole or have top 

leaves harvested several times. Harvesting begins after 4-7 weeks and can continue over 2 

months. 

Use: The young leaves and stems are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. 




Leaves 91.7 96 2.5 2.3 292 43.3 0.9

86 

Insects: 

Cletus sp. Colobathristidae (COL) Sucking seeds 


Hymenia recurvalis (Fab.) Pyralidae (LEP) Beet webworm 

Leptocorisa solomonensis Ahmad Alydidae (HEM) Paddy bugs 

Nisotra basselae Bry Chrysomelidae (COL) 




Spodoptera litura (Fab.) Noctuidae (LEP) Cluster caterpillar 


Diseases: 

Damping off of seedlings Fungus Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn 

Wet rot of leaves Fungus Choanephora cucurbitarum (Berk & Rav.) Thaxt. 


Leaf blight Fungus Colletotrichum sp. 

Wilt Fungus Fusarium sp. 

Pests: 

Importance: Different species of amaranths occur in most parts of Papua New Guinea and they 

are one of the commonest cultivated greens.

87 

Names 

English: Purple amaranth, Red amaranth Scientific name: Amaranthus cruentus L. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Amaranthus hybridus 

subsp. cruentus (L.) Thell.; 


Description: An annual erect plant. It grows to 2 m 

high. The stems are angular. It often branches in the 

upper section. It is smooth but may be hairy on 

younger plant parts. The young parts can be tinged 

purple. The leaves are oval to sword shaped and can be 

10-15 cm long by 3-6 cm wide. They have a leaf stalk 

1-7.5 cm long. The leaves often narrow towards the 

tip. They can also become thinner towards the base. 

There may be hairs on the midrib. The leaf may be 

tinged purple underneath. The flowers clusters are 

often branched and on side branches. The stiff 

branched flower arrangement at the top can be 15-25 

cm long. The fruit is oval and the seed can be 1-1.3 

mm across. The seed is dark brown but pale brown 

forms are used as grain in Central America. 

Distribution: It grows in the tropics and more 

temperate regions. In the tropics it is mainly in the 

highlands. In Papua New Guinea it occurs between 

1,200 and 2,200 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 8- 

11. 

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed if the soil is warm. Seeds are small and grow 

easily. Cuttings of growing plants root easily. 

Production: Yields of 800-1500 kg per hectare are achieved. 

Use: The leaves and young plant are eaten cooked. 

The seeds are ground into flour and used to make bread. 

Caution: This plant can accumulate nitrates if grown with high nitrogen inorganic fertilisers and 

these are poisonous. 


Edible 

part 

Leaves 

Seeds 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

88 

Names 

English: Grain Amaranth, Quinoa Scientific name: Amaranthus caudatus L. 



Description: An annual plant which can be 2 m high and 

45 cm across. The stems are angular and it can have a 

single stem or be branched. It is often limp in the upper 

parts. Plants are hairy at first but become smooth. Often 

they are tinged purple. Leaves are 2-4 cm long by 0.7-1.6 

cm wide on a leaf stalk 0.5-1.5 cm long. Leaves can taper 

to a tip at the end. They can also thin towards the base. 

The veins are pale underneath. The flower clusters are in 

spikes on the side or top branches. The flowers are 

sometimes branched and can droop over. They can be 45 

cm long. The fruit is oval. Seed are 1-1.3 mm across. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. It cannot tolerate frost. Plants do best under high light, warm 

conditions and dry conditions. They need a well drained soil. Some varieties can tolerate pH up 

to 8.5 and there is some salt tolerance. It suits hardiness zones 8-11. 

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed if the soil is warm. Seeds are small and grow easily. 

To get the plants well spaced the seeds are mixed with some sand and then this mixture is spread 

along a row. Seedlings can be transplanted when about 5-7 cm tall. Cuttings of growing plants 

root easily. A spacing of about 8 cm x 8 cm is used if the plants are to be harvested by pulling up 

the whole plant. If the harvesting is to be done by picking off the top leaves, a wider spacing is 

normally used. When the tops are picked out 3 or 4 times over the life of the one plant, a 

spacing about 30 cm x 30 cm is used. As far as producing a large amount of food is concerned, 

the spacing is not very important. Having between 200 and 1,000 plants per square metre gives 

about the same total amount of food. The main thing that varies is the size of the leaves. Mostly 

people like larger leaves so a wider spacing of 8 cm to 10 cm for plants to be pulled out is 

suitable. For plants to be harvested by picking out the tops, they can be picked down to about 15 

cm high. 

Production: Amaranths grow quickly. Seedlings come up above the ground in 3 to 5 days. 

They are 5 to 7 cm high and big enough for transplanting after about 20 days. The plants can be 

pulled out and used after 6 weeks. If they are harvested by picking out the tops, this can be 

started at 5 to 7 weeks and continued 3 or 4 times over the next 2 months. Flowering occurs 

after about 3 months and seed can be recollected about a month later. Yields from 1-3 or 5 

tonnes per hectare of seed are common. Yields of up to one kilogram of edible leaves have been 

harvested by pulling out plants from an area of one square metre. 

Use: The leaves and young plant are eaten cooked. 

The seeds are ground into flour and used to make bread 




Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Leaves 

Seed 13 

Insects: Diseases: Pests: 

Importance: This species is cultivated and important for its edible seed and leaves in the Andes. 

Seed varieties have been introduced to Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

89 

Names 

English: Green amaranth Scientific name: Amaranthus viridus L. 



Description: An erect smooth branched herb without 

thorns. It is 30 to 60 cm high and grows from seeds 

each year. The leaves are broad near their base and 

narrow near the top. Usually the leaves have notches. 

Leaves are 1-3 cm long with exceptionally long 

petioles. The flowers occur in the angles of the leaves 

and the seeds are small and brown or black. The spikes 

are not bristly. 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant. It is common in 

open waste places. In Nepal it grows to about 1400 m 

altitude. 

Cultivation: It can be grown from seed or cuttings. 

Production: 

Use: The young leaves and seeds are cooked and eaten. 




Leaves 

Seeds 

87.3 4.5 6.0 169 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Zinc 

mg

90 

Names 

English: Spleen amaranth Scientific name: Amaranthus dubius C. Mart. ex Thell 



Description: An annual plant. It is erect and grows up 

to 1.2 m tall. The stems are angular and the plant is 

often branched from the base upwards. Plants can be 

green or tinged purple. The leaves are 3-8 cm long by 

2-5 cm wide. The leaf stalk is 1-5 cm long. Leaves can 

taper to a point at the tip and taper quickly towards the 

base. The flower clusters are in spikes on side branches 

and these can be branched. The flower stalks at the tip 

can be lax. The flower clusters can be 10-20 cm long 

and either stick upwards or bend over. Most of the 

flowers are female. Seed are 1-1.2 mm across and 

rather flat. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. In Papua New Guinea it 

grows between sea level and 1,300 m altitude. 

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed if the soil 

is warm. Seeds are small and grow easily. Cuttings of 

growing plants root easily. 

Production: 

Use: The leaves and seeds are eaten cooked. 


these nitrates are poisonous. 


Edible 

part 

Leaves 

Seeds 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

91 

Names 

English: Slender Amaranth Scientific name: Amaranthus lividus Desf. 



Description: A herb which can be erect or 

hang over. It is 80 cm tall. The stems are 

angular and curve in a zigzag manner. They 

often branch from the base upwards. The 

leaves are oval and 1-3 cm long by 0.3-1.5 cm 

wide. The leaves are wedge shaped at the base 

and have a sharp point at the tip. The leaf 

stalk is 0.3-2.5 cm long. The side veins can be 

clearly seen under the leaf. The leaves are 

without hairs but are sometimes tinged with 

purple. The flower spikes can be 1-10 cm long 

and have side clusters. The fruit are smooth 

and pale. Seeds are 1-1.2 mm across. 

Distribution: It occurs world wide in the 

tropics. In Papua New Guinea it grows 

between 1,200 and 2,000 m altitude. In Nepal 

it grows between 1500-2300 m altitude. 

Cultivation: Mostly plants are self sown. Plants can be grown from seed. 

Production: 

Use: Leaves are eaten as a green vegetable, after cooking. 




Leaves 84.6 84 3.4 63 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea an occasionally used wild edible leaf. 

Drawing Division Forests 

Zinc 

mg

92 

Names 

English: Native Amaranth Scientific name: Amaranthus interruptus R. Br. 



Description: A herb which can be erect or lying down. 

It can be 60-120 cm tall. The stems are angular. The 

plant often branches from the base upwards. The 

leaves are 1.5-4 cm long by 0.7-2 cm wide. The leaf 

stalk is 0.5-2.5 cm long. The side veins are prominent 

underneath. The flower cluster can be slightly 

branched at the base and at the top of the plant. Seed 

are 1 mm across and rather thick. 

Distribution: It occurs in the northern parts of 

Australia and in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon 

Islands. 

Cultivation: 

Production: 

Use: The leaves are used cooked. 


Edible 

part 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

93 

Names 

English: Prickly amaranth Scientific name: Amaranthus spinosus L. 



Description: An annual plant 60 -100 cm 

high. It can be erect or lie over. The stems 

can be nearly round or they can be angular. 

The plant branches from the base upwards. 

Leaves are fairly smooth or hairless but can be 

tinged purple. The leaf stalk can be 0.5-10 cm 

long. The leaf blade is oval or sword shaped 

and 2-7 cm long by 0.6-3 cm wide. There can 

be a short tip at the top end and gradually 

tapering to the base. Flower clusters occur at 

the sides and these can be single or arranged in 

compound spikes. The flower clusters at the 

top can be 3-10 cm long. The top flowers 

often droop over. Parts of the flowers in the 

clusters of the leaves form spines. These are 

very sharp. They can be 0.5-2 cm long. The 

upper flowers are male and the lower flowers 

are female. The seed are 1-1.2 mm across and 

flattened. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. It occurs world wide 

from the tropics to the warm temperate zone. In Nepal 

it grows to 1500 m altitude. It grows well in moist, 

damp soil. 

Cultivation: Plants are often self sown. Plants can be grown from seed. 

Production: 

Use: The leaves are edible cooked. 

The seeds are ground into flour and cooked. 






Leaves 

Seeds 

91.7 84 3.6 46 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea an occasionally used wild edible leaf. 

Drawing Division Forests 

Zinc 

mg

94 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Abelmoschus manihot (L.) Medic. 

Tok pisin: Aibika Synonyms: Hibiscus manihot L. 

Tok ples: Plant family: Malvaceae 

Description: A branched shrub up to 2 m or 

more high. It has rounded twigs which are 

green and smooth. The leaves are simple, 

smooth and with 3 to 5 lobes. The leaves 

are large and can vary in shape. Normally 

the leaves are very dark green, but 

occasionally pale green types occur. The 

leaf stalks are 6 to 13 cm long. The stalks 

can be green or have red colours on them. 

The flowers are borne singly and are yellow 

with dark purple centres. They are 

produced on mature bushes and the flowers 

are hibiscus like. The fruit pods are rather 

stiff or with bristly hairs. They are a dry 

capsule with many small seeds. Plants can 

last for a year or for several years. Old 

plants produce a hibiscus type flower. 

Distribution: It is well suited to the tropical lowlands but grows only poorly at 1800 metres. It 

needs fertile soil. The plant occurs in countries from India, China, Japan, Malaysia and Indonesia 

to the Pacific Islands. Plants will withstand occasional short-lived temperatures down to about - 

5°C so long as they are in a very well-drained soil. It suits areas with high humidity. It suits 


Cultivation: It is grown from cuttings. Cuttings with 2-3 nodes are sufficient. It can be grown 

from seeds. The narrow leafed types tend to compete less well with weeds. A fertile soil is 

needed. Picking out the tips off branches of Aibika plants encourages the plant to produce more 

branches and therefore more leaves. 

Production: Leaves are ready to harvest after about 80 days. Yields of 6.7-7.3 tons/ha/crop 

have been recorded. 

Use: Young leaves are cooked and eaten. 

They are slimy unless steamed or fried. 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Leaves 197 5.7 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Insects: 


Amblypelta cocophaga China Coreidae (HEM) Green coconut bug 

Amblypelta lutescens papuensis Br. Coreidae (HEM) Papua tip wilt bug 

Amblypelta theobromae Brown Coreidae (HEM) 

Anomis flava F. Noctuidae (LEP) Cotton looper or Cotton semi looper 


Cassena intermedia Jac. Galerucidae (COL) 

Cassena papuana (Jac.) Galerucidae (COL) 

Zinc 

mg

95 

Colgar tricolor Dist. Flatidae (HOM) 

Dysdercus cingulatus (F.) Pyrrhocoridae (HEM) Red cotton bug 

Earias vittella (F.) Noctuidae (LEP) Aibika shoot boring grub 

Euricania discigutta (Walk.) Riconiidae 

Nisotra sp. Chrysomelidae (COL) 


Parasaissettia nigra Coccidae (HEM) Nigra scale 

Phaneroptera brevis Serv Tettigoniidae(ORTH) 

Pseudaulacaspis pentagona (Taeg) Coccidae(HEM) White scale 

Saissetia nigra (Nietner) Coccidae(HEM) Nigra scale 

Spodoptera litura (F) Noctuidae (LEP) Cluster caterpillar 

Sylepta derogata F. Pyralidae(LEP) Cotton leaf roller 

Valanga irregularis (Walker) Acrididae (ORTH) 

Valanga sp. Acrididae (ORTH) 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungus Myrothecium roridum Tode ex Fr. 

Leaf blight Fungus Colletotrichum sp. 



Collar rot/root rot Fungus Phytophthora nicotianae var. nicotianae 

And Fusarium sp. 

And Sclerotium rolfsii 

Basal stem rot Fungus Sarcopodium vanillae 

Green mottle Virus 

Pests: 

Importance: The most important edible leafy green in coastal areas of Papua New Guinea, the 

Pacific and SE Asia.

96 

Names 

English: Spinach Joint fir Scientific name: Gnetum gnemon L. 

Tok pisin: Tu lip Synonyms: 

Tok ples: Plant family: Gnetaceae 

Description: A shrub or small tree about 10 m high. It 

can grow to 20 m high. It normally has a cone shaped 

crown. The bark is greyish brown. The small branches 

are slender and like a vine. The leaves are produced in 

pairs opposite each other. They are dark green and 

shiny, oval and pointed at both ends. The leaves are 

7.5-12.5 cm long by 2.5-7.5 cm wide. Trees are either 

male or female. Male spikes are 3-6 cm long. They 

consist of 50-80 very small flowers in rings along the 

stalk. Flowers are produced as cones made up of rings 

of scales along stalks 3-6 or 12 cm long. There are 5-8 

flowers at each node. Fruits are oval and green when 

young but red when ripe. Fruit are 2-3 cm long and 

contain one seed. 

Distribution: Trees occur in tropical rainforest from 

sea level to about 1200 metres altitude. These trees 

grow in Malaysia, Indonesia and islands out to Fiji. 

They can grow on a range of soils but do best on deep 

well drained soils. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. 

Cultivation: Trees are grown from seed. For using as seed for growing, a fully ripe red fruit is 

needed. Seeds exhibit a natural dormancy due to a hard impermeable seed coat. Breaking this 

seed coat can normally hasten germination. This is done by boring a hole into the seed. 

Propagation can be naturally by seeds distributed by birds, by planting seeds or by cuttings. A 

spacing of 6 m is suitable although in rows they are often put more closely. Trees appear to 

establish in the forest understory indicating some shade tolerance. Trees recover readily from 

pruning. Coppicing can produce a rapid flush of new leaves. Flushes of new leaves tends to 

occur seasonally. Trees can be topped to keep them shorter. If plants are grown by air layering 

they are shorter and more compact. 

Production: Trees grow by flushes of young reddish leaves. Flowers are produced throughout 

the year. Trees grown from seed take 5-8 years to bear fruit. Air layered trees produce fruit in 

2-3 years. Leaves are harvested when fully expanded but still soft and succulent. The fruit are 

harvested when the skin turns red. Trees can produce 20,000 fruit per year or 6-7 kg. 

Use: Young leaf tips are eaten cooked. 

Young flowers are eaten, cooked. 

Young fruit are eaten, cooked. 

Ripe fruit are eaten raw or cooked. 

(Fruit should be crushed before cooking or they can explode.) 

Young flowers and fruit need cooking to get rid of irritating substances. 

The seeds are dried and flattened and then deep fried in hot oil and salt added. 




Leaves 

Flowers 

66.0 378 5.9 2.7 3700 200 

Zinc 

mg

Seeds 

Insects: 

Eucalymnatus tessellatus (Signoret) Coccidae (HEM) Soft scale 

Milviscutulus mangiferae (Green) Coccidae (HEM) Soft scale 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

97 

Importance: A particularly well liked edible green leaf occurring in almost all lowland areas of 

Papua New Guinea either cultivated or wild.

Names 

English: Water drop wort Scientific name: Oenanthe javanica D.C. 


Tok ples: Plant family: Apiaceae 

Description: This plant is a hollow stemmed 

creeping green leafy vegetable. The stem is 

often up to 100 cm long and normally lies 

along the ground and turns up near the tip. 

The leaves are finely divided like carrot tops 

but the size, shape and colour of the leaves can 

vary quite a bit, even on the one plant. The 

leaves often have leaf sheaths which wrap 

around the stem. The flowers occur at the 

ends of the branches and are a group of small 

white flowers. Several kinds occur with 

different colours and leaf sizes. It mostly 

grows near water and will float on water. 

98 

Distribution: It mostly occurs between 700 and 2800 m altitude in the tropics. But it also grows 

down to the coast where it is becoming more popular. It also grows in China, Indonesia and 

other Asian countries. It suits hardiness zones 9-12. 

Cultivation: This plant often grows wild. These self sown plants are not as tasty as the 

cultivated types but they are eaten. The plant is also grown in gardens. It is planted by using 

cuttings. Often 5 or 6 cuttings are planted in a hole made with a digging stick. In moist soil the 

plants establish quickly and easily. It is also possible to grow the plants by seeds, but these are 

rarely used in Papua New Guinea. The leaves and young tips of the plant are often eaten raw or 

cooked. 

Production: 

Use: The plant is often eaten raw or cooked. 

Caution: Although not known to contain the very poisonous oenanthotoxin it contains a 

hallucinatory drug myristicin. 




Leaves 6 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: A common green in most highland areas of Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

99 

Names 

English: Rungia Scientific name: Rungia klossii S.Moore 


Tok ples: Plant family: Acanthaceae 

Description: Rungia is a small clumpy much branched 

leafy vegetable. Dark green and yellow and green 

marked leaf colours occur. It grows to about 40 cm 

high. It produces a pale blue flower. At least 20 

different varieties occur being distinquished by size, 

shape and colour of leaves. 

Distribution: It mostly grows from 1000 to 2000 

metres altitude but will grow down to sea level. It is 

only known from Papua New Guinea and Irian 

Jaya/West Papua. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from rooted stems or 

cuttings. It only occurs as a cultivated plant. Some 

feral and relatively short lived plants can be found in 

old garden sites. It needs reasonably fertile soil, 

preferably moist but will grow in most soils. The 

young leaf tips are eaten raw or cooked. It requires a 

fairly fertile soil and a damp area. 

Plants are put about 50cm apart. It is mostly grown in mixed cropping situations with sweet 

potato or Setaria pitpit. The plant is grown from cuttings which are about 25 cm long and a 

clump are sown together. These stems often already have roots developing from the nodes or 

quickly develop roots. Rungia is planted at any time of the year. Regular picking keeps 

branches short and productive of leaves. It grows reasonably slowly. Once established the 

young tips (2 or 3 leaves) are picked regularly. The shoot tips and upper leaves are harvested 

starting about 2-4 months after planting and continuing at 1-2 monthly intervals for 2 years or 

more. Regular picking keeps branches short and productive of leaves. 

Production: It grows reasonably slowly. Yields can be 2 kg/plant/year. The harvested tips 

weigh about 0.8 g each. If the plants were spaced at 50cm spacing this would give a yield of 4 

kg per square metre of garden. The leaves are eaten raw or cooked. After harvesting they will 

not keep very long. (2-3 days). 

Use: The leaves are eaten raw or cooked. 


Edible 

part 

Leaves 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: One of the main and most popular greens in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

100 

Names 

English: Blackberried nightshade Scientific name: Solanum nigrum L. 

Tok pisin: Karakap Synonyms: 


Description: An erect branched smooth herb. It 

grows about 60-100 cm high. The stems are green 

and 3 angled. Leaves are pointed at both ends. The 

leaves are 1.3-9 cm long by 0.5-6 cm wide. They 

are oblong and taper to the tip. They can have wavy 

lobes. The inner ring of petals are white and about 8 

mm across. The fruit are black, smooth and round. 

They hang downwards. 

Distribution: They occur in waste places at low and 

medium altitudes throughout the country. It grows 

from sea level up to high altitudes such as 2700 m in 

the tropics. It often comes up self sown after fires. 

It is grown in most tropical countries as a green leafy vegetable. It occurs between 600-3000 m. 

in southern China. In Nepal it grows to about 2900 m altitude. 

Cultivation: It is grown from seed. In the highlands areas it is almost always self sown or 

encouraged by burning grassland but then weeded and harvested as a normal component of the 

garden. In coastal areas seeds are sown by broadcasting. Good yields can be obtained under 

moderate fertility levels. A spacing of 40 cm x 40 cm is suitable. Topping encourages 

branching. It can be grown from cuttings. 

Production: Seeds germinate about a week after planting. Leaves can be harvested after about 

8-10 weeks by cutting off the last 5 cm of each branch. High yields can be obtained. 5-8 

harvests over 6-8 weeks are possible. Solanum nigrum grows rapidly, has high seed production 

and high viability of seed. This gives it a competitiveness as a weedy species but also means it is 

one of the first harvested edible greens from a new garden. 

Use: The ripe fruit are cooked and eaten. They are also used for soup. 

The leaves and young shoots are eaten cooked. 




Leaves 

Fruit 

87.0 160 4.3 1.0 3660 20 

Insects: And probably others. 

Aphids 

Icerya seychellarum (Westwood) Margarodidae 

Phthorimaea operculella (Zell.) Gelechiidae (LEP) Potato tuber moth 

Pulvinaria ubicola (Cockerell) Coccidae (HEM) 


Diseases: 

Bacterial wilt Bacteria Pseudomonas solanacearum 

Pests: 

Importance: It is a significant food plant throughout the tropics. A commonly used green 

vegetable in most areas of Papua New Guinea. It mostly grows wild in the highlands and is 

cultivated on the coast. 

Zinc 

mg

101 

Names 

English: Plentiful fig Scientific name: Ficus copiosa Steud. 

Tok pisin: Kumu musong Synonyms: 

Tok ples: Plant family: Moraceae 

Description: A small tree. It grows up to 10 m high. 

The trunk is slender and straight. The bark is grey and 

smooth. Young stems and veins have a purplish colour 

and the tips have a rough feel due to raised bristles on 

the leaves and stems. The leaf shape varies. Leaves 

are 10-25 cm long by 5-12 cm across. They are oval. 

The leaves are often heart shaped at the base and 

bluntly pointed at the tip. The edges of the leaves are 

irregular. The leaf stalks are about 2 cm long. Fruit are 

1-2 cm across and often on old twigs in small clusters. 

Distribution: A tropical tree. Trees grow from sea 

level up to about 1800 m above sea level. They are 

normally in mixed forest. 

Cultivation: Trees are often planted by seeds or self sown seedlings are transplanted. Trees can 

also be grown by cuttings and aerial layering. In some areas trees are grown as a hedge and 

pruned to increase branching. Plants occur both wild and cultivated. 

Production: Young tips of 3-5 g are picked. 

Use: The young leaves are eaten cooked. 

The fruit are eaten raw. 


Edible 

part 

Leaves 

Fruit 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Insects: 

Cacao mirid sucks sap Coreidae (HEM) Helopeltis clavifer (Walker) 

Diseases: 

Sooty mould on leaves Fungus Capnodium thuemenii Sacc. 

Rust Fungus Cerotelium fici (Cast.) Arth. 

Tar spot Fungus Phyllachora kaernbachii P.Henn. 

Pests: 

Importance: Probably the most widely used fig leaf in Papua New Guinea. It is fairly common 

throughout the country and important in some areas. 

Zinc 

mg

102 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Ficus wassa Roxb. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Ficus portus-finschii 


Description: A shrubby tree up to 4 m tall. The bark is 

grey, flaky and scaly. The young leaf parts have grey 

hairs underneath them. The leafy twigs are reddish 

brown. The leaves are produced opposite one another. 

The leaf is rough to the touch. The edges of the leaves 

are wavy and slightly toothed. The tip of the leaf is 

pointed and the base is wedge shaped. There is a gland 

at the base of the leaf veins. Fruit are produced in 

clusters on the leafless stems. They are red to purple 

when ripe. 

Distribution: It occurs in areas of regrowth. In Papua 

New Guinea it grows in lowland areas and up to 300 m 

altitude or higher. 

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings. 

Production: 

Use: The leaves are eaten cooked. 

The fruit are also cooked with the young leaves. 


Edible 

part 

Leaves 

Fruit 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

Importance: A commonly used edible leaf in Papua New Guinea. 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

103 

Names 

English: Lovo Scientific name: Ficus pungens Reinw. ex Bl. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Ficus myriocarpa Miq. 


Description: A tall tree with large leaves 30 

cm long and 25 cm wide. Young leaves are 

light green. They have teeth along the edge 

and are rough on both surfaces. They have 10 

pairs of side veins. Stalks have very sharp 

thorns. These can fall off. The fruit are small 

(0.5 cm) and in clusters along long stalks 

hanging from the trunk. The stalks can be 50- 

80 cm long. The fruit are greenish-yellow but 

turn red as they ripen. 

Distribution: 

Cultivation: Normally near streams and drains. Trees grow from sea level up to about 1600 m. 

Trees are mostly self sown. 

Production: 

Use: The young leaves are cooked and eaten with meat. 



part 

Leaves 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: The leaves are moderately commonly eaten with meat in areas where the tree 

occurs. 

Zinc 

mg

104 

Names 

English: Highlands kapiak Scientific name: Ficus dammaropsis Diels 

Tok pisin: Hailans kapiak Synonyms: Dammaropsis kingiana Warb 


Description: A fig tree. It grows to 9-13 m 

high. The large young leaves are eaten. The 

branches are strong and flexible and contain a 

milky juice. The tree has a single trunk 

without buttresses or aerial roots. It is often 

straggling. Seedling trees vary considerably in 

size of leaves and colour of young leaves and 

veins. The leaves are large. They can be 60- 

100 cm long. They are deeply corrugated with 

veins. The veins can be red or yellow. The 

fruit is large (15 cm across) and made up of 

large overlapping scale leaves. It ripens to a 

deep purple. 

Distribution: Trees occur from 900 m to 2700 m but it is most common between 1600 and 1750 

m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. 

Cultivation: Trees grow from seeds and are transplanted. Cuttings of branches do not normally 

establish. 

Production: 

Use: The young leaves are eaten with meat. 

The outside layer of the fruit is edible. 

The young fruit are boiled and eaten as a vegetable. 



part 

Leaves 

Fruit 

% KJ g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Insects: 

Fruit flies are common in the ripe fruit Bactrocera spp. 

A weevil damages plants Curculionidae (COL) Rhinoscapha cobaltinata Hell. 

Longhorn beetles collect sap of damaged 

trees 

Cerambycidae (COL) Rosenbergia weiskei Hell. 

Diseases: 

Sooty mould Fungus Chaetothyrium boedignii Hansf. 

Pests: 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea, leaves are fairly widely used at pig kills and for mumus in 

the highlands. Fruit are less widely eaten. 

Zinc 

mg

105 

Names 

English: White Sandpaper Fig Scientific name: Ficus hispida L.f. 



Description: A small bushy tree. It grows 6-8 m high 

and spreads to 2-5 m across. The branches are hollow. 

It has strangling roots but not aerial roots. The trunk is 

short and fairly straight and slender. The bark is grey. 

The young shoots are red and hairy. The leaves are 10- 

35 cm long by 6-12 cm wide. The leaf stalks are 2-9 

cm long. The leaves are dark green, thin and rough on 

both surfaces. The fig is 3-5 cm across. They are 

reddish-green and borne in clumps on the trunk and 

larger branches. The figs split open and are red inside. 

There are some varieties described based on the colour 

and size of the figs. 

Distribution: It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It 

occurs naturally in monsoonal rainforests. In Nepal 

plants are grown between 500-1100 m altitude. In S 

China it grows between 1000-1500 m altitude. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed or root suckers. 

Production: 

Use: The green fig fruit are eaten, cooked. They are used in curries. (They may cause 

giddiness) 

The ripe fruit are eaten raw. They are also made into jam. 

The young leaves are used as a vegetable. 


Edible 

part 

Fruit 

Leaves 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

106 

Names 

English: Dye fig Scientific name: Ficus tinctoria Forster f. 



Description: A small tree or shrub 2-4 m high. It can 

climb and scramble over other plants and be up to 10 m 

high. The small branches are rough. The small 

branchlets are yellow or pale brown. The bark is grey 

or brown and cracked or flaky. The leafy structure at 

the base of the leaves is sword shaped and 5-10 mm 

long and thick. The leaves of the tree are yellowish 

with purple veins and short leaf stalks. The leaves are 

4-13 cm long and 2-6 cm wide. The leaf stalk is 0.6-1 

cm long. Male and female flowers occur on separate 

plants. The figs are in the leaf axils and up to 2 cm 

across and orange coloured. There are some varieties 

described based on the size of the plant and the size of 

the figs. 

Distribution: Trees are common on limestone or coral 

rocks near the sea shore. It tends to be on coral soils. 

Cultivation: It normally grows wild. 

Production: In Australia, fruit are produced in May to July. 

Use: The young tips are picked and eaten. 

The fruit are eaten cooked. 



part 

Fruit 

Leaves 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: Mostly reported as a wild occasional food on the Gazelle Peninsula and New 

Ireland in Papua New Guinea. It is an important food in Tuvalu and Micronesia. 

Zinc 

mg

107 

Names 

English: Swamp Morning Glory Scientific name: Ipomoea aquatica Forsk. 

Tok pisin: Kangkong Synonyms: Ipomoea repens Roth 

Tok ples: Plant family: Convolvulaceae 

Description: Kangkong is a creeping sweet 

potato like plant. It has hollow stems and can 

float on water. The leaves are green and are 

normally not divided like some sweet potato 

leaves, but the shape and size varies a little 

between different kinds. The trumpet shaped 

flower looks like a sweet potato flower and is 

normally white. The runners develop roots at the 

nodes and also branch. This branching increases 

when tips are picked off. Some variation in leaf 

shape can be observed. Leaf shape is less 

variable than in the related sweet potato, but 

narrow and broad leafed kinds occur. White and 

green stemmed kinds occur. Green stemmed 

kinds have more cold tolerance than white 

stemmed. 

Distribution: It grows best in short day stable 

high temperature, moist conditions. 

Temperatures need to be above 25°C for 

satisfactory growth. 

In equatorial region plants probably grow up to 1000m altitude. Below 23°C the growth rate is 

too slow for economic production. So production is mainly in the lowland tropics. Optimum pH 

is between 5.3-6.0. It suits damp places and grows well in swamps. It can grow as a partly 

floating plant in swamps and lagoons behind the beach along the coast. Kangkong is grown in a 

number of other tropical countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, Egypt, Fiji and especially 

Hong Kong and Taiwan. In some of these countries they grow the dry land form in gardens. In 

Nepal it grows up to 500 m altitude. 

Cultivation: Dryland kangkong is normally grown from seed. Sometimes seed are presoaked 

for 12-24 hours prior to sowing. Plants can also be grown from cuttings and establishment is 

rapid. Top cuttings 25-40 cm long can be planted beside a pond. 

Production: Young tips can be taken 30 days after planting, and subsequent harvests every 7 to 

10 days. Production of new shoots probably declines at flowering. Yields up to 60,000 kg/ha 

have been recorded in other countries. 

Use: The young tips are cooked and eaten. 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Leaves 92.9 84 2.1 1.3 520 16.0 0.2 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungus 

Pests: 

Importance: Common in most swampy coastal areas in the tropics. 

Zinc 

mg

108 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Polyscias verticillata Stone 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Nothopanax spp. 

Tok ples: Valanguar Plant family: Araliaceae 

Description: A shrub grown as a hedge and of 

which the young leaves are eaten. The leaf sheaths 

form a flat section clasping the leaf stalk. Leaf 

shapes, colours and size vary between species and 

varieties. 

Distribution: It occurs in coastal areas and probably 

up to 1000 m altitude. It is mostly planted around 

houses. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown by cuttings. They are 

often used as an ornamental hedge. This plant is 

often used to form a hedge around their houses and 

gardens. Constantly picking the leaves helps 

maintain it as a small pruned shrub. As a shrub they 

grow from 2 to 5 m tall. Seeds are produced and 

spread by birds. These self sown seedlings are 

sometimes replanted. 

Production: 

Use: The young leaves are cooked and eaten. 

The young leaves have a nice smell and are used as a vegetable as well as to flavour stews. 



part 

Leaves 

% KJ g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Insects: 

Cacao mired Helopeltis clavifer (Walker) 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea it is moderately common as an ornamental in coastal areas, 

but not always eaten. It is popular in the Gazelle Peninsula. 

Zinc 

mg

109 

Names 

English: Panax Scientific name: Polyscias fruticosa (L.) Harms 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Nothopanax fruticosum (L.)Miq. 

Tok ples: Plant family: Araliaceae 

Description: A tall shrub. It grows 3-5 m high and 

spreads 2-3 m wide. The branches are spreading. The 

leaves are clustered near the tips. The leaves are 

divided 3 times. They are 75 cm long. They sheath the 

stem at the base. The leaflet stalks are 25 cm long and 

the leaflets are 1-12 cm long by 0.5-4 cm wide. They 

vary in shape. They can be lobed or have teeth. The 

flowers are 0.5 cm across and in a spreading group 60 

cm long. The fruit are 0.5 cm across. They are fleshy. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. It suits tropical and 

subtropical regions. They need well drained acid soils. 

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from fresh seed. They can also be grown from cuttings. 

Production: 

Use: The young leaves are eaten as a flavouring. 

They are also boiled and eaten. 


Edible 

part 

Leaves 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

110 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Polyscias scutellaria (Burm.f.)Fosb. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Nothopanax scutellaria (Burm.f.)Merr. 


Description: A shrub which forms many branches from 

the base. It is 1-6 m high and spreads 1.5-3 m wide. 

The stems are bronze-green and there are distinct scars 

where the leaves fall off. The leaves have long leaf 

stalks and they can be simple or have 1-5 leaflets. The 

leaves are often cup shaped. The leaf is elongated 

along the leaf stalk for about a quarter of its length. 

The leaves have teethed and are smooth on both sides. 

They are dark green on top and lighter green beneath. 

The leaf blade is 8-25 across and almost round or 

kidney shaped. The leaf stalk is 6-28 cm long. The 

flowers are 0.5 cm across. They are white or yellow. 

The fruit is 0.7 cm across and purplish-black. It is 

round and fleshy. 

Distribution: It occurs in the lower altitude regions. It 

needs well drained soils. 

Cultivation: The shrub is often planted and pruned to form a hedge. It is grown from cuttings. 

Production: 

Use: The young leaves and tips are cooked and eaten. 




Leaves 82.0 227 3.7 4.0 85 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Zinc 

mg

111 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Polyscias macgillivrayi (Seem.) Harms 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Tieghemopanax macgillivrayi (Seem.)R.Vig. 


Description: A tall shrub. It grows 4-7 m high and 

spreads 2-4 m wide. Young growth is smooth. There 

is usually a single trunk. The bark is grey. There are 

only a few branches and they are spreading. The leaves 

are divided along the stalk. The leaves are 1 m long. 

The leaflets are 20-25 cm long by 8-10 cm wide. They 

are oblong and often broadest near the base. They are 

green and often rolled downwards. The flowers are 0.5 

cm across. They form loose open groups. The fruit is 

about 0.8 cm across and flattened. 

Distribution: It grows in rainforest. It is a tropical 

plant. It needs well drained soil. 

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from fresh seed. 

Production: 

Use: The leaves are eaten. 



part 

Leaves 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

112 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Ormocarpum orientale (Spreng.) Merr. 

Tok pisin: Kalava Synonyms: Ormocarpum sennoides D.C. 


Description: A small leguminous shrub or tree up to 

7.5 m tall with light brown bark which strips off 

showing a greener bark underneath. The leafy shoots 

are hairy. When the plant flowers it has a flower like a 

bean and a pale yellowish green in colour with reddish 

veins. It produces a pod which is up to 9 cm long and 

jointed in a chain of 2 to 8 seeds. The seeds are small 5 

mm and bean shaped. Flowers and pods are rare. It is 

a legume. 

Distribution: It grows along the beach and in mud 

flats. It also comes up in old gardens. It mostly occurs 

naturally below about 30 m altitude. It is planted in 

gardens up to 500 m altitude. 

Cultivation: 

In gardening situations it is normally grown from cuttings. 

Production: 

Use: The young leaf tips are used cooked as a vegetable. 



part 

Leaves 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea, it is mostly grown and used in the Gulf Province and along 

the South Coast or by people from there. It is grown in the Gazelle Peninsula. 

Zinc 

mg

113 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Nasturtium schlechteri O.E.Schultz 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: May be renamed Rorippa sp.; 

Tok ples: Plant family: Brassicaceae 

Description: A cabbage family plant with yellow 

flowers and short seed pods. The leaves are divided 

and it has a tap root 

Distribution: It is common in highland areas from 

1000 to 2,200 m altitude but it also grows down to the 

coast. 

Cultivation: The seeds are normally broadcast over the 

garden. Rorippa schlechteri is grown as a vegetable in 

gardens in the highlands. Because it has a well 

developed taproot, the plant does not transplant easily. 

Production: Plants are harvested after 4-6 weeks. 

Use: The leaves and whole plant are cooked and eaten. 


Edible 

part 

Leaves 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Insects: 


Crocidolomia binotalis Zeller Pyralidae (LEP) Cabbage cluster caterpillar 

Plutella xylostella (L.) Plutellidae (LEP) Diamond back moth 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: A common and widely cultivated green in Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

114 

Names 

English: Watercress Scientific name: Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum (L.) Hayek 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Nasturtium officinale R.Br. 


Description: A small leafy plant that grows in water 

and lasts for several years. It has hollow stems and 

roots freely from the nodes. It branches freely. The 

leaves consist of 3 to 7 pairs of small leaflets then a 

larger leaflet at the end. The flowers are small and 

white and grow grow in a cluster. Flowers are not 

always produced and need days with more than 12 

hours of sunlight to form. A small narrow curved seed 

pod about 2 cm long can develop. It grows attached to 

the banks of streams. 

Distribution: This is a temperate climate crop. It is 

common in tropical highland creeks especially those 

flowing off limestone hills. (pH 6.5-7.5) It needs to be 

in running water. In the tropics it occurs from about 

1000 m up to at least 2900 m altitude. It grows in 

streams, ditches, lakes, swamps, marshes from near sea 

level to 3700 m altitude in China. 

Cultivation: It is grown from cuttings planted along the edges of clear running water. Cuttings 

of 10-15 cm long are suitable. The plant has roots along the stem at the node and cuttings 

quickly form roots in water. A spacing of 30 cm is suitable. This small plant keeps living for 

many years once established. It can also be grown from seeds. Plants can float on the water. It 

will not tolerate drying out. Watercress has a high phosphate requirement. 

Production: Harvesting can occur 4 to 6 weeks after planting. Regular picking encourages 

branching and increases production. Tips 5-10 cm long are harvested. This can be repeated 

every 4-6 weeks. 

Use: The leaves and stems are eaten raw or cooked and have a spicy flavour. 

Cooking should be used if the water in the stream is not pure and clean. 

The seed can be germinated to produce sprouts. 

The seeds can be ground to make a mustard flavouring. 




Leaves 

Seed 

Sprouts 

95.0 63 2.4 3.4 960 35 0.1 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot 

Pests: 

Importance: It is becoming accepted as an important and popular green in the highlands of 

Papua New Guinea.

115 

Names 

English: Common Comfrey Scientific name: Symphytum officinale L. 


Tok ples: Plant family: Boraginaceae 

Description: A low clumpy plant with large 

long rough leaves. A dense crown of leaves 

and shoots develops. Plants are 30-90 cm tall. 

Leaves are 30-60 cm long and 10-20 cm wide. 

Lower leaves have leaf stalks and are 

branched. The inner leaves do not have leaf 

stalks. The flower stalk has many flowers. 

The flowers are purple, red or yellowish white. 

The nutlets are black, oval, 3-4 mm across and 

smooth an shiny 

Distribution: It grows satisfactorily from sea 

level up to at least 2200 m altitude in the 

tropics. It will grow in very poor soil. In 

Hobart Botanical gardens. It suits hardiness 

zones 3-9. 

Cultivation: It is grown by breaking up the clump and re-planting a portion of it. 

Production: 

Use: The young leaves are cooked and eaten. 

Caution: In some countries caution has been stressed about this plant because of toxic alkaloids 

in similar plants. The older leaves are bitter and should be avoided. 


Edible 

part 

Leaves 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Leaf blotch 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: It occurs quite widely throughout Papua New Guinea in small amounts and is 

probably increasing in importance because it grows so easily. 

Zinc 

mg

116 

Names 

English: Waterleaf Scientific name: Talinum triangulare (Jacq)Willd 


Tok ples: Plant family: Portulacaceae 

Description: A small leafy branching herb. It grows 

up to 35-60 cm high. It can be erect or lie over. The 

roots are swollen and fleshy. The stems are 

succulent. The leaves are alternate and have very 

short stalks and are fairly soft and light green in 

colour. The leaves can be 7.5 cm long. In the shade 

they grow larger. The flowers are on a 3 sided stalk 

at the top of the plant. There is a clump of pale pink 

flowers with 5 petals. Seeds are very small and 

black 

Distribution: It occurs in coastal tropical areas and 

up to about 1000 m altitude. 

Due to the C4 pathway optimum growth is achieved with high temperatures, high soil fertility, 

plenty of sunlight and sufficient moisture. The plant will also grow adequately in poorer 

conditions including some drought and a little shade. 

Cultivation: It can be grown from seeds or stem cuttings. There are about 4000 seeds per gram. 

Seed collection is not easy because the seed capsules split open very easily and the seeds drop 

out. Also plants don't always produce seeds readily. Growing from seed is easiest by sowing 

seeds in a small nursery then transplanting the small plants when they are about 5-8 cm high. 

With very small seeds like these, it is best to mix the seeds with dry sand before sowing. Then a 

small amount of the seed/sand mixture can be sown and the seeds will not be too close together. 

Seeds will grow in about 6 days. Often plants once established become self sown from natural 

seed falling. Alternatively cuttings about 15 cm long of the more mature but not woody stems 

can be used. The excess leaves should be removed from the cuttings. A spacing of 20 cm is 

suitable. Plants grow better in fertile soil, but will grow in fairly low fertility soils. They need 

plenty of moisture. 

Production: The leaves and tender stems can keep being produced for up to a year. Older plants 

can be cut back and allowed to sprout again. Plants start producing 4-6 weeks after planting. 

Leaf tips may be picked every two weeks for up to a year. Normally the top shoots are picked 

out first, to let the side shoots grow. A yield of up to 5 kg of edible tips per square metre area of 

plants over one year can be achieved. 

Use: The leaves and tender stems are eaten raw or cooked. They are slightly sour. Steaming the 

leaves produces less brown discolouration and they are less slimy. Due to oxalates in the leaves, 

large amounts should not be eaten. 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Leaves 91.0 105 2.4 5.0 31 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: At present not widely distributed in Papua New Guinea but being accepted and 

liked in areas where it occurs. 

Zinc 

mg

117 

Names 

English: Silver beet Scientific name: Beta vulgaris ssp. cicla (L.)Koch 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Probably now Beta vulgaris Cicla group 

Tok ples: Plant family: Chenopodiaceae 

Description: A broad leafed annual plant. Stalks 

are smooth and often white with a dark green 

leaf. A clump of stalks and leaves are produced 

from the base. Plants can also be blue. The 

leaves can be 12-25 cm long. 

Distribution: It needs to be over at least 500 m 

altitude in the tropics. It is mostly grown 

between 1000 and 2600 m altitude. 

Cultivation: It is grown from seeds. Under tropical conditions it is not normally possible to 

save your own seed. In cold climates plants need to be sown when conditions are warmer so 

that plants do not go straight to flower. A spacing of 30 cm between plants is suitable. Seed are 

sown 2.5 cm deep. 

Production: The first leaves are ready after 8-10 weeks and can produce for 2 years. Only the 

outer leaves are picked off. 

Use: The leaves and stalks are cooked and eaten. 




Leaves 92.7 84 1.9 2.3 314 18 0.3 

Insects: 

Spoladia recurvalis (Fabricius) Pyralidae (LEP_ Beet webworm 


Oribius inimicus Mshl. Curculionidae (COL) Shot hole weevils 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora beticola Sacc. 

Blossom blight Fungus Choanephora cucurbitarum (Berk. & Rav.) Thaxt. 

Pests: 

Importance: It is moderately common in some highland areas in the tropics including Papua 

New Guinea.

118 

Names 

English: Sweet leaf Scientific name: Sauropus androgynus (L.)Merr 



Description: A low growing shrub with 

small red flowers. It continues to grow 

from year to year. It grows 0.8-2 m tall. 

It can grow 6 m tall. It tends to grow 

upright then falls over due to its weight. 

It branches little. Compound leaves on 

the sides of the stems bear flowers along 

their underside. The fruit are purple. 

The fruit are about 1 cm across and open 

and drop their seed at maturity. 

Distribution: It occurs commonly in S E Asia. It can grow in partial shade or full sun. It suits 

the hot humid lowlands. It will grow in heavy clay soils and will grow in acid soils. 

Cultivation: It is grown from cuttings. Cuttings grow easily. Pruning encourages more upright 

shoots. It can also be grown from seed. Seed only remain viable for a few months. It is often 

grown as a hedge. Cuttings for this are placed 10 cm apart. Adding shade (shade cloth) and 

fertiliser can be used to force the leaf tips to grow rapidly. 

Production: Young leaves can be harvested 4 months after planting. The top 15 cm of young 

leaf tips are picked. It gives a high yield of leaves. Production continues year round. Shrubs 

last a long time. 

Use: The young tips, young leaves, flowers and small fruit are eaten raw. Older leaves are 

cooked. 

Leaves are often singed before being added to soups. 

The fruit can be used to make jam. 




Leaves 

Flowers 

Fruit 

81.0 244 4.8 2.7 85 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: Only recently introduced into Papua New Guinea and it will probably become a 

popular vegetable. It is well liked in the Solomon Islands and SE Asia. 

Zinc 

mg

119 

Names 

English: Horseradish tree, Drumstick Tree Scientific name: Moringa oleifera Lamarck 


Tok ples: Plant family: Moringaceae 

Description: A small tree up to 9-12 m high. The trunk 

is 60 cm across. The wood is soft. It has fern-like 

divided leaves. The tree loses its leaves during the 

year. The bark is grey and thick. It is corky and peels 

off in patches. The leaves are pale green and the leaf is 

divided 3 times. The whole leaf is 30-60 cm long and 

the leaflets are usually oval and 1-2 cm long. The 

leaflets are jointed with a gland near the joint. The 

flowers are pale yellow and contain both sexes. They 

occur in long sprays 30 cm long. Each flower has 5 

petals and of these one is erect and 4 are bent 

backwards. The flowers are sweet scented. The fruit is 

a long capsule 30-45 cm long by 2 cm wide. The seed 

capsules are up to 45 cm long. They are roughly 

triangular in shape. They split open when dry. There 

are 9 dark brown seeds inside. The seeds have 3 wings. 

Some kinds are better for edible fruit than others, while 

some are selected for leaves. 

Distribution: They suit the dry lowland areas and grow up to 500 m altitude in the tropics. In 

Nepal it grows up to 1100 m altitude. They are not hardy to frost. They cannot tolerate 

waterlogging. It suits hardiness zones 9-12. 

Cultivation: It is best to grow plants from 1 metre long cuttings but they can be grown from 

seed. They can be used as a hedge and pruned regularly to produce more leaves. Properly dried 

seed can be stored for a long time in sealed containers in a cool place. 

Production: Trees are fast growing. They can be pruned or topped. The tree flowers 

continuously. 

Use: The young tops and leaves are eaten cooked. 

The very young long pods are eaten cooked, especially in curries. They are also pickled. 

The young seeds are eaten roasted. 

Sometimes the roots are used as a horseradish substitute. 

The roots, leaves, flowers and fruits are eaten cooked in water and mixed with salt and chili 

peppers. The oil expressed from the seeds is used in salads. 




Leaves 81.7 251 5.3 2.3 701 RE 31.0 0.5 

Pods 88.2 155 2.1 0.4 7 141 0.5 

Seeds 

Roots 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

6.5 46.6 

Importance: It is sold in markets. An introduced tree probably not widely used for food in 

Papua New Guinea. Its planting and use should be encouraged.

120 

Names 

English: Leucaena Scientific name: Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.)de Wit. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Leucaena glauca AUCT. non (L.) Benth. 

Tok ples: Plant family: Fabaceae/Mimosoideae 

Description: A small erect tree. It grows to 6-10 m 

high. It has fine divided leaves. The leaves have 2 

rows of leaflets. The leaves are 15 to 25 cm long and 

the leaflets 8 to 16 cm long. They are a dark dull green 

on top and dull greyish green underneath. The flowers 

are white and in round heads. They are in the axils of 

leaves or on the ends of branches. The pods are flat 

and 10-15 cm long and 1.8 cm wide with 15-25 seeds 

inside. It has shiny brown seeds. 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant. It is introduced and 

common at low and medium altitudes throughout the 

tropics. It is widespread from sea level up to about 

1700 m altitude in the tropics. It is often used as shade 

for coffee. It is drought resistant. It can grow on dry 

and poor soils. It can tolerate salt. It needs well 

drained soil and full sun. In Nepal it grows to 1400 m 


Cultivation: It grows easily from seeds. It also regrows from cut stumps and it can be grown 

from cuttings. Plants are hard to eliminate and can become a weed problem in dry areas. 

Production: It grows very quickly. 

Use: The mature seeds are toasted and ground and used as a coffee substitute. 

The young leaves are sometimes used as a vegetable. 

The tender pods and shoots are cooked as a vegetable. 

Caution: The leaves contain a chemical which causes hair to fall out. 


Edible 

part 

Leaves 

Pods 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Insects: 

Armacia basigera (Walker) Ricaniidae (HEM) 


Helopeltis clavifer (Walker) Coreidae (HEM) Cacao mirid 

Orgyia postica (Walker) Lymantriidae (LEP) 

Parasaissetia nigra (Nietn.) Coccidae (HEM) Nigra scale 

Planococcus citri (Risso) Pseudococcidae (HEM) Citrus mealy bug 

Pteroma sp. Psychidae (LEP) 

Tiracola plagiata (Walker) Noctuidae (LEP) Cacao armyworm 

Diseases: 

Pink disease Fungus Corticium salmonicolor Berk.& Br. 

Thread blight Fungus Corticium solani 

Root rot Fungus Fomes noxius Corner 

Pests: 

Importance: It is probably rarely used as an edible plant in Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

121 

Names 

English: Indian spinach Scientific name: Basella alba L. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Basella rubra L. 

Tok ples: Plant family: Basellaceae 

Description: An annual or perennial climbing herb 

with thick fleshy leaves. The vine is smooth and juicy 

and can be 10 m long. It branches freely. The vine and 

leaves can be red or green. The leaves are fleshy and 

pointed at the tip. They can be 8-18 cm long and 8-10 

cm across. They are carried alternately along the vine. 

Leaves can be heart shaped or oval. It has white, pink 

or red flowers in short spikes which are in the axils of 

the leaves. Flowers have both sexes. The fruit are 

round and soft. They can be red, white or black and are 

6-8 mm across. The seeds are round and black. They 

are 3 mm across. (Often the ones with heart shaped 

leaves are called Basella cordifolia, the ones with red 

stem Basella rubra and the short day flowering dark 

green kind called Basella alba.) 

Distribution: It occurs mostly in the tropical lowlands and is best below 500 m but will grow up 

to about 1600 m. in the equatorial tropics. It will grow quite well in the temperature range 15- 

35°C. It does not like waterlogging but can survive 4-12 weeks drought once well established. 

It requires adequate water during the growing season. It grows well in a variety of soils. The 

best pH is 5.5-7.0. It cannot tolerate salty conditions. Flowering does not occur when day 

lengths are over 13 hours. It is found throughout the Philippines in waste places. 

Cultivation: It can be sown from seeds or cuttings. Seeds germinate in a few days. Normally 

sticks are provided for support or it is allowed to grow over fences and stumps. If seeds are 

used, 3 kg of seed will sow one hectare and they are best sown in a nursery and transplanted. A 

spacing of 1 m is suitable. Plants grown from seed are more productive than from cuttings. 

When cuttings are used, 20-25 cm long cuttings are suitable. Where the plant grows over light 

soil it can root at the nodes and continue growing continually. Partial shade, rich fertile soil and 

adequate moisture favour abundant leaf production. It is responsive to nitrogen fertiliser. Light 

shade gives bigger leaves. 

Production: It is 4-6 weeks until the first harvest. It grows reasonably well on poor soils and is 

fairly resistant to pest and disease. Leaves will only store for one day at 20-30°C. Yields of 40 

kg of leaves from a 10 metre square bed is possible over 75 days. 

Use: The young shoots and leaves are eaten cooked. They are somewhat slimy. 

In soups and stews the mucilage can be used as thickening. 

Fresh leaves can be added to salads. 




Leaves 85.0 202 5.0 4.0 1800 100 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Large leaf spot Fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris (Frank) Donk 

Leaf spot Fungus Curvularia sp. 


Importance: It has been encouraged and accepted in some coastal areas of Papua New Guinea.

122 

Names 

English: Hibiscus Scientific name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. 



Description: A shrubby hibiscus used for hedges. It is 

a evergreen woody shrub. It grows to 2-5 m tall. The 

bark is grey and flaky. It has fine stripes. The leaves 

are bright green. They are oval and the edges of the 

leaves are entire on the lower leaves. The upper leaves 

are coarsely toothed. The leaves have long tips. The 

flowers occur singly in the axils of leaves. Flowers can 

be single or double. They are bell shaped and 10-15 cm 

across. There are a range of colours. The fruit are 

rounded capsules with many seeds inside. The capsules 

are beaked. 

Distribution: A common ornamental throughout the 

tropics. It originally came from China. It thrives on 

any type of soil. Different types are adapted to sunny 

or shady places. They grow where average 

temperatures are between 15-30°C. They are very 

sensitive to frost. They grow from sea level to 1000 m 

altitude. They probably require a minimum rainfall of 

700 mm per year. It grows in Nepal to 1400 m altitude. 

It grows in open, moist places. It suits hardiness zones 

9-11. 

Cultivation: It is mostly grown from cuttings. 

Production: 

Use: The leaves are eaten cooked. In some places they are pounded before cooking. 

The flowers are eaten raw or pickled. They are also added to drinks. 

The fresh flower ovary is eaten. 



part 

Leaves 

Flowers 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungus Ascochyta abelmoschi Hartner 

Blossom blight Fungus Choanephora cucurbitarum (Berk. & BR.) Thaxt. 


White thread blight 

Probably virus 

Pests: 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea it is mostly grown as an ornamental but is eaten in some 

areas. 

Zinc 

mg

123 

Names 

English: Wandering Jew Scientific name: Commelina cyanea R.Br. 


Tok ples: Plant family: Commelinaceae 

Description: A weak straggling herb. It is an 

evergreen plant. It grows to 30 cm high and spreads to 

2 m across. The stems are weak and fleshy, and lie 

along the ground, and form roots at the nodes. The 

leaves are green or blue, and sword shaped. They are 

3-7 cm long, by 2 cm across. They form a sheath at the 

base. The flowers are bright blue, with 3 petals. They 

are 1.5 cm across. The flowers are carried on a 

branched flower stalk. The flowers open in the 

morning and collapse by afternoon. 

Distribution: It is tropical and subtropical. It grows in 

moist soil. It suits a sheltered, partly shaded position. 

It is drought and frost tender. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown by dividing the clump or using stem cuttings. 

Production: 

Use: The leaves are eaten after cooking. 


Edible 

part 

Leaf 

bud 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

86.7 1.6 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

Importance: It is grown and used as a vegetable in a few highland regions. 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

124 

Names 

English: Wandering Jew Scientific name: Commelina diffusa Burm.f. 


Tok ples: Plant family: Commelinaceae 

Description: A small leafed, straggling plant, 

with blue flowers. It continues to grow from 

year to year. It can grow to 1 m long. The 

stems are weak. The stem is fleshy, and it 

roots at the nodes. The leaves are alternate 

and sword shaped. They are 4-10 cm long. 

They have short stalks and a stem clasping 

sheath. The flowers are blue and 2.5-3 cm 

across. One of the 3 petals is smaller than the 

others. The seeds have fine patterns on one 

side. They are angular and about 2 mm long. 

Distribution: It grows in moist places. It 

occurs from sea level up to about 1600 m 

altitude in the tropics. 

Cultivation: It grows easily from stem pieces. It prefers poorly drained soil, in open sunny 

positions, but can grow quite well in shady places. Plants can also be grown from seed. 

Production: 

Use: The young leaf tips are cooked and eaten. 


Edible 

part 

Leaves 

Insects: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Diseases: 

Rust Fungi Phakopsora tecta Jackson & Holloway 

And Uromyces commelinae Cooke 

Pests: 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea it is declining in importance as a cultivated crop but still 

harvested from the wild in a number of places. 

Zinc 

mg

125 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Dicliptera papuana Warb. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: May be renamed Hemigraphis 

Tok ples: Kabanga Plant family: Acanthaceae 

Description: A herb up to 1 m high. It is somewhat 

similar to Rungia klossii but taller and with longer 

leaves. The stems have grooves along them. The 

leaves are produced opposite each other. They are 

oblong and taper at both ends. Leaves can be smooth 

or finely hairy. The flower clusters occur in the axils of 

leaves. The flower clusters have 2 wing like bracts 

below them. Flowers are blue. They occur in pairs. 

The fruit capsule is small with 2 cells and with 2 seeds 

in each cell. The seed are round and with pits on the 

surface. 

Distribution: It grows wild in the highlands especially 

along creeks. It is also cultivated. It grows between at 

least 700 m and 2600 m altitude. 

Cultivation: It can be grown from cuttings. Normally a group of stalks are planted together to 

produce a clumpy bush. 

Production: The young leaf tips are picked at regular intervals. 

Use: Leaf tips are eaten cooked. 


Edible 

part 

Leaves 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: A less popular green cultivated in some areas, harvested from the wild in others 

and not used in other areas. It is less popular than Rungia. 

Zinc 

mg

126 

Names 

English: Indian coral tree Scientific name: Erythrina variegata L. 

Tok pisin: Palpal Synonyms: 


Description: A deciduous tree. It grows up to 15-20 m 

tall and loses its leaves for part of the year. The trunk 

has blunt spines. The branches are spreading, crooked 

and armed with sharp black prickles. The leaves have 3 

leaflets. The leaflets are broadly oval and 8 to 18 cm 

long. They are shiny green on top and dull flat green 

underneath. The flowers appear before the leaves. The 

flowers are at the ends of branches and are hairy and 

dense. The flowers are large numerous and hang down. 

They are red. The pod is about 10 to 25 cm long and 

1.5 to 2 cm across. The pod is constricted between the 

beans. Seeds are dark red. 

Distribution: It is native from India to the Philippines 

and the Pacific. It mostly grows naturally along the 

dunes very close to the coast but is transplanted as an 

ornamental. It will grow up to 900 m altitude. It is 

tolerant to salt. It can tolerate drought. It needs full 

sun. It suits hardiness zones 11-12. 

Cultivation: Trees can be grown from seed. Cuttings also grow easily. 

Production: 

Use: The young leaves are eaten cooked. 

The seeds are eaten after boiling or roasting. 

Caution: Some similar coral trees contain alkaloids and are used as medicine. The seeds are 

poisonous raw. 


Edible 

part 

Leaves 

Seeds 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: The tree occurs in many lowland areas of Papua New Guinea, but the leaves are 

only eaten by Sepik people at present. 

Zinc 

mg

127 

Names 

English: Coral tree Scientific name: Erythrina variegata var. orientalis L. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Erythrina indica Lam. 


Description: A tree up to 15 m tall which loses its 

leaves for part of the year. The trunk has blunt spines. 

The branches are spreading, crooked and armed with 

sharp black prickles. The leaflets are broadly oval and 

8 to 18 cm long. They are shiny green on top and dull 

flat green underneath. The flowers are at the ends of 

branches and are hairy and dense. The flowers are 

large numerous and hang down. They are red. The pod 

is about 10 to 25 cm long and 1.5 to 2 cm across. The 

pod is constricted between the beans. Seeds are dark 

red. 

Distribution: They are found throughout the 

Philippines at low altitudes especially near the sea 

coast. It mostly grows naturally along the dunes very 

close to the coast but is transplanted as an ornamental. 

It will grow up to 900 m altitude. 

Cultivation: Trees can be grown from seed. Cuttings also grow easily. 

Production: 

Use: The seeds are edible cooked. 

The leaves are eaten cooked. 

Caution: Some similar coral trees contain alkaloids and are used as medicine. The seeds are 

poisonous raw. 


Edible 

part 

Leaves 

Seeds 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Importance: It is only a minor food. 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

128 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Deeringia amaranthoides (Lmk.) Merr. 



Description: A small shrub or climber up to 5 m tall. 

The stem is woody and it branches. Young shoots are 

slender and smooth. The leaves are alternate and oval 

or sword shaped. They are 10 cm long and 2-4 cm 

wide. They are drawn out to a long point and are bright 

green with a thin texture. The flowers occur in slender 

spikes up to 25 cm long. These are in the axils of the 

upper leaves. Flowers are 0.4 cm across and greenish 

white. Flowers contain both sexes. Seeds are about 1.2 

mm across, smooth and black. They are inside a bright 

red berry which is carried in clusters on long slender 

spikes. The fruit are 0.5 cm long with 3 furrows long 

it. 

Distribution: It occurs in the Sepik, Madang, Morobe 

and Central Provinces. It is often near forest edges near 

creeks in the rainforest. It occurs up to 1200 m altitude. 

This plant is also used as food in Fiji, Indonesia and 

Taiwan. It needs a well drained humus rich soil. It 

needs a sheltered position and partial shade. It is 

drought and frost tender. It is a tropical plant. 

Cultivation: It grows wild. Plants are grown from seed. The seed need to be sown fresh. Plants 

can also be easily grown from cuttings. 

Production: 

Use: The young leaves are eaten. 

Caution: This plant is suspected of poisoning cattle. 



part 

Leaves 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

Importance: It is only recorded as being eaten in a few areas. 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

129 

Names 

English: Spider flower Scientific name: Cleome gynandra L. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Gynandropsis gynandra (L.)Merr. 

Tok ples: Plant family: Capparaceae 

Description: An annual herb. It grows to 0.6- 

0.9 m. It has a long tap root. It is erect and 

somewhat hairy. It usually has purple stems. 

The leaves occur one after another along the 

stalk. The leaf stalk is long. There are 5-7 

leaflets which are unequal and spread out at 

the end. They are oblong and about 2.5-6 cm 

long by 1.4-3.2 cm wide. The leaflets are 

pointed at the base and a rounder near the tip 

with a rounder point at the tip. There are fine 

teeth along the edges of the leaves. 

The flowers are white or purple They occur in long flower clusters at the end of branches. 

These are 30 cm long. The flower clusters are showy with white or purplish flowers and a 

spidery like appearance. The fruit are a slender capsule with 2 valves and with many small 

seeds. They are 5-10 cm long and very narrow. The seeds are kidney shaped and rough. They 

are brown and have fine lines along them. They are 1-1.5 mm across. 

Distribution: It commonly occurs as a self sown weed on cultivated land. It grows in warm of 

tropical regions. It grows at a range of elevations but especially above 600 m altitude. It will 

grow in semi arid, to wet humid climates. It will grow on many soil types, but needs fertile soil 

for good leaf production. A temperature of 18-25°C seems best. Plants need plenty of sunlight. 

They are not drought resistant but can produce a crop with short periods of rain. Plants cannot 

withstand flooding. A common weed of waste places throughout the Philippines as well as other 

tropical countries. 

Cultivation: The plant is grown from seed. The seed are broadcast. Fertile soil is needed to get 

plants with good leaf coverage. The seed germinate erratically, because the seed have a rest 

period after harvest. Seed germinate best 6 months after harvest. Once they are ready to grow, 

they germinate in 4-5 days. Leaves or whole plants can be harvested when 15 cm high. Picking 

out the tops encourages side growth and longer leaf production. Removing flowers extends the 

harvest period. 

Production: Leaves can be harvested 4-5 weeks after planting. Seeds reach maturity about 5 

months after sowing. 

Use: The leaves are eaten. If they are cooked the bitter taste is reduced. They are also used in 

flavouring sauces. 

Young pods are also eaten. 

The oil from the seeds is edible without needing to be refined. 

The leaves can be candied in vinegar or in salt water, then eaten with fish. 

The seeds are used as a spice in curries. 




Leaves 89.6 105 3.1 26 


Importance: This plant is being recognised by scientists as a useful vegetable. It is not known if 

it is eaten in Papua New Guinea.

130 

Names 

English: Purslane, Pigweed Scientific name: Portulaca oleracea L. 


Tok ples: Plant family: Portulacaceae 

Description: A spreading branched herb. It lies 

flat on the ground. It grows each year from seed. 

The plants spread 10 to 50 cm wide. The stems 

are purplish. The leaves are fleshy, flat and 

shaped like a wedge at the base. They are 1.5 to 

2.5 cm long and 0.3-1 cm wide. The flowers are 

yellow and occur in a few rounded heads. They 

are 0.8-1.5 cm across. They bloom about the 

middle of the day. The capsules are 0.5 cm long 

and oval. The seeds are black and shiny. 

Distribution: It grows in tropical and temperate 

regions. They are common in waste places 

throughout the Philippines. 

It is a common self sown plant in lowland areas and up to 1700 m altitude. It prefers sandy well 

drained places. It can grow on salty soils. It suits hardiness zones 7-12. 

Cultivation: It roots easily from broken pieces. It can be grown from seed. 

Production: The stems and leaves are cooked and eaten. Usually the skin is scraped off then the 

plant is boiled and mashed. It thickens stews and other dishes in which it is cooked. It is used as 

a pot herb. 

Use: The fleshy stems are pickled. 

In areas where a lot of nitrogen fertiliser is used plants can cause nitrate poisoning. Plants can 

also have oxalates. 




Leaves 82.2 108 3.1 0.8 185 20 1.5 

Seed 9.1 1405 19.5 

Root 79.0 210 3.5 

Insects: 

Diacrisia niceta (Stal.) Arctiidae (LEP) 

Spoladea (Hymenia) recurvalis Fab. Pyralidae (LEP) Beet webworm 


Diseases: 

White leaf spot cause unknown 

Pests: 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea it is now only very rarely used by some older people in 

some coastal areas. In many countries it is eaten as a vegetable. They are sold in markets in 

India.

131 

Names 

English: Spinach Scientific name: Spinacia oleracea L. 



Description: An annual leafy vegetable. It grows 60- 

90 cm high and spreads 30-45 cm wide. The broad 

leaves are produced in a clump on short stalks. The 

leaves at the base are large and leaves on the stalk are 

smaller. Plants are separately male and female. (So 

both types are needed if seed is to be produced.) 

Flowers are greenish in spikes. 

Distribution: It is a temperate plant. It does not suit 

the tropical lowlands and grows best where the 

temperature varies between 10°C and 20°C or above 

2000 m altitude. The kind with very prickly seeds is 

frost resistant. Plants need a deep well drained soil. It 

is a cool season, short day plant. In Nepal it grows to 

about 1400 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 6-9. 

Cultivation: It is normally sown directly by seeds. Plants need to be 25 cm apart. 

Production: The older leaves are picked off. They can be harvested starting at 8 weeks. 

Use: Leaves are cooked in a small amount of water. They are also used in soups and salads. 

Young leaves are eaten raw and older leaves are cooked. 




Leaves 92.9 57 2.4 2.9 819 29 0.8 

Insects: 


Henosepilachna signatipennis Boisd. Coccinellidae (COL) Leaf eating ladybirds 

Lygaeus hospes Fab. Lygaeidae (HEM) A leaf sucking bug 

Psylliodes sp. Chrysomelidae (COL) 

Spoladia recurvalis (Fab.) Pyralidae (LEP) Beet webworm 

Diseases: 


Pests: 

Importance: Not often seen in Papua New Guinea.

132 

Names 

English: Striped cucumber Scientific name: Diplocyclos palmatus (L.) C Jeffrey 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Bryonopsis affinis (Endl.) Cogn. 

Tok ples: Kongakonga Plant family: Cucurbitaceae 

Description: A slender climbing plant with angular 

stems. The stems are weak but the lower part can be 

somewhat woody. It can climb to 2-4 m high. The 

stems are angular and grooved. The rootstock is fleshy. 

The leaves have 3 or 5 lobes divided like fingers on a 

hand and are 10-15 cm wide by 6-17 cm long. There 

are fine teeth on the top edges of the leaves and the 

leaves are angular. The leaves are rough on top but 

smooth underneath. The leaf stalks are 3-9 cm long. 

The stem has tendrils which have 1 or 2 branches. 

Flowers are small and yellow or green. Male and 

female flowers are separate but often together near a 

leaf. Often one or two female flowers are surrounded 

by several male flowers. The fruit is 4 cm long and 

green with pale streaks along it. The leaves and stems 

give off a bad smell when damaged. 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant. It occurs on the coast in PNG and grows up to about 1000 m 

above sea level. It needs a well drained soil and can grow in a sunny or partial shady position. 

The plant also grows in Africa, India, Malaysia, China and Australia. There are a couple of 

subspecies. 

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seeds or cuttings. 

Production: 

Use: The leaves are eaten, cooked. 

Caution: The fruit are claimed to be poisonous. 

It is considered to be poisonous in Australia, but is eaten in India. 



part 

Leaves 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: A reasonably common wild creeper in coastal areas of Papua New Guinea and 

many tropical countries. Leaves are used in the Gazelle Peninsula. 

Zinc 

mg

133 

Edible ferns

Edible ferns 

134 


Vegetable fern Diplazium esculentum 135 

Diplazium cordifolium 136 

Diplazium asperum 137 

Tree fern Cyathea angiensis 138 

Cyathea contaminans 139 

Cyathea hornei 140 

Cyathea lunulata 141 

Cyathea rubiginosa 142 

Cyclosorus interruptus 143 

Climbing swamp fern Stenochlaena palustris 144 

Stenochlaena milnei 145 

Giant Creek fern Pneumatopteris sogerensis 146 

Golden mangrove fern Acrostichum aureum 147 

Ladder fern Nephrolepis biserrata 148 

Mangrove fern Acrostichum speciosum 149 

Hairy sword fern Nephrolepis hirsutula 150 

Microsorum linguaeforme 151 

King fern Angiopteris evecta 152 

Asplenium affine 153 

Bird’s nest fern Asplenium nidus 154 

Microsorum scolopendria 155 

Adder’s tongue Ophioglossum reticulatum 156 

Bungwall Blechnum orientale 157 

Parsley fern Botrychium australe 158 

Kumugras Callipteris prolifera 159 

Water fern Ceratopteris thalictroides 160 

Rock fern Drynaria quercifolia 161 

Dryopteris sparsa 162 

Flowering fern Helminthostachys zeylanica 163 

Climbing maidenhair 

fern 

Lygodium microphyllum 164 

Marattia sp. 165

135 

Names 

English: Vegetable-fern Scientific name: Diplazium esculentum Swartz 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Athyrium esculentum (Retz.)Copel 

Tok ples: Plant family: Aspleniaceae/Athyriaceae 

Description: A large fern with an upright stem. It 

forms tufts. It can be 1 m high and 1 m wide. It 

usually grows as a large clump. It spreads by 

underground runners. They have feather like fronds 

which are 50 to 80 cm long and divided 2 or 3 times. 

The leaf stalks are black near the bottom. The 

secondary leaflets are pointed at the tip. The end 

sections of the leaf are many, about 8 cm long and 1 cm 

wide. The leaflets are notched like a saw and about 2 

to 5 cm long. 

Distribution: It grows in moist tropical places. It 

mostly occurs in coastal areas. It is common in wet 

areas. It also occurs in Malaysia, Indonesia, 

Philippines and Fiji and is used as a food there. They 

are widely distributed in the Philippines on areas of 

gravel and the banks of streams. Plants are frost tender. 

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from spores. They need to be in a well drained potting 

medium and kept with a high humidity. The spores need a temperature of 21°C and sown as 

soon as ripe. Plants should be transplanted into a moist well drained soil with partial shade. 

Plants can also be grown by separating out the underground runners. 

Production: 

Use: The fronds are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. 




Leaves 91.8 88 3.6 4.4 25 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: One of the commonly used and popular ferns of the Asian tropical lowland areas. 

Young freshly uncurled fronds are common in markets. 

Zinc 

mg

136 

Names 

English: Fern Scientific name: Diplazium cordifolium Blume 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Athyrium cordifolium (Bl.) Copel 

Tok ples: Plant family: Aspleniaceae 

Description: A fern with a tufted rhizome covered with 

brown or black scales. It has a tufted rootstock. The 

fronds are up to 50 cm long and 12 cm wide and stick 

straight up. The fronds are entire and not divided. They 

are long and thin and rounded at the base. The tip 

comes to a point. The spore bodies are long and narrow 

and can be straight or curved. 

Distribution: It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It 

grows in small areas of the tropical rainforest. It is 

temperature sensitive needing a minimum temperature 

over 10°C. It likes a moist protected situation. It suits 

a shady position. 

Cultivation: It can be grown from spores. 

Production: 

Use: The fronds have been recorded as eaten. 



part 

Leaves 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Importance: A minor food in Papua New Guinea. 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

137 

Names 

English: Fern Scientific name: Diplazium asperum Blume 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Athyrium asperum (Bl.) Copel 


Description: A fern which grows on land, with fronds 

3 metres high. The stem is mostly underground and 

densely covered with roots. The leaves are crowded 

and have long stalks. Leaves can be 3 m long. The leaf 

stalk is rough. 

Distribution: These ferns mostly occur between 250 

and 1500 metres above sea level. They grow best in 

humid, moist and lightly shaded places near creeks and 

on forest edges. 

Cultivation: They grow wild. 

Production: 

Use: The young, not quite unfolded leaves are eaten cooked. 



part 

Leaves 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: A wild edible leaf eaten occasionally in mid altitude areas of Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

138 

Names 

English: Tree fern Scientific name: Cyathea angiensis (Gepp.) Domin 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Alsophila angiensis Gepp in Gibbs 

Tok ples: Plant family: Cyatheaceae 

Description: A tree fern. It has about 12 fronds. They 

are divided 2 or 3 times. The fronds can be 1-2 m long. 

There are 3 rings of fronds with 4-5 fronds in each. 

The old fronds drop off. 

Distribution: They require abundant moisture and do 

best in part shade. They grow in open forest often near 

streams. They are most common in Papua New 

Guinea between 600-2200 m. They are frost tender. 

Cultivation: 

Production: 

Use: The fronds are eaten with meat. 



part 

Leaves 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

139 

Names 

English: Tree fern Scientific name: Cyathea contaminans (Wallich ex Hooker) Copeland 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Alsophila contaminans Wall. ex Hook. 


Description: A tree fern. It has erect trunks 5-8 m tall. 

The trunks can be 20 m tall. The trunks are 12-15 cm 

thick. It has many roots. These make the base thick. 

The fronds are 2-3.5 m long and have scales on all 

surfaces. The fronds are divided 2 or 3 times. The 

fronds have many side leaflets. These are 50-75 cm 

long. The secondary leaflets are 8-12 mm long. The 

spore bodies are on the under surface of the fronds. 

They are near the rib. The covering over these falls off 

early. The old fronds fall off. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. They require abundant 

moisture and do best in part shade. They grow in open 

forest often near streams. It mostly grows between 

200-1600 m. They are frost tender. 

Cultivation: These ferns mostly grow naturally. They are preserved when bush is being cleared 

for gardens. They can easily be raised from spores on the back of fronds. They can be 

transplanted if some roots are included and the fronds are trimmed. 

Production: 

Use: The young fronds are cooked and eaten with meat. 

Caution: Leaves of Cyathea ferns are known to contain chemicals called flavenoid glycosides. 


Edible 

part 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea, a very common and important green leafy vegetable, 

especially at pig feasts. 

Zinc 

mg

140 

Names 

English: Tree fern Scientific name: Cyathea hornei (Baker) Copel 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Alsophila hornei Baker 


Description: A tree fern. It is rather slender in the 

trunk and 3-4 m high. The stem of the frond is 25 cm 

long and very dark. The part near the base has pale 

edged scales. The lower leaflets on the stalk are 

reduced and narrow. The largest leaflets are 40-50 cm 

long. There fertile and sterile leaflets have different 

shapes. The fertile ones are 50-60 mm long by 11-17 

mm wide. (It is smaller in size than other tree ferns and 

rhizomes or suckers which produce new plants. The 

ferns therefore occur in a clump.) 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant. It grows in wet 

forest and stunted mossy forest. It grows between 

about 700 and 2,000 m altitude. 

Cultivation: The young fronds are occasionally cooked and eaten. 

Production: 

Use: 


Edible 

part 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

141 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Cyathea lunulata (J.Forster) Copeland 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Alsophila lunulata R.Br.; 

Tok ples: Balabala Plant family: Cyatheaceae 

Description: A large tree fern. The trunk is erect and 

can be 8-10 m high. The fronds are divided 3 times. 

They can be 6 m long. 

Distribution: It grows in tropical and subtropical 

locations. They grow from sea level to 100 m altitude. 

They grow in the rainforest. 

Cultivation: 

Production: 

Use: The young fronds are eaten in times of scarcity. 

The white pith of the stem is cooked in an earth oven and eaten. 


Edible 

part 

Leaves 

Pith 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Importance: A famine food. 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

142 

Names 

English: Tree fern Scientific name: Cyathea rubiginosa (Brause) Domin 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Alsophila rubiginosa Brause 


Description: A tree fern. The trunk is erect. It grows 5 

m tall. The fronds are divided 2 or 3 times. The fronds 

are 2-3 m long. The stalk is purple and has many small 

spines. There are a few large scattered scales. The 

spore groups are near the mid vein of fertile smallest 

leaflets. They have a very thin fragile covering. 

Distribution: They require abundant moisture and do 

best in part shade. They grow in open forest often near 

streams. It mostly grows between 110-2840 m altitude. 

They are frost tender 

Cultivation: 

Production: 

Use: 


Edible 

part 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

143 

Names 

English: fern Scientific name: Cyclosorus interruptus (Willd.) H. Ito 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Pteris interruptus Willd. 

Tok ples: Plant family: Thelypteridaceae 

Description: A medium sized fern. It forms 

extensive spreading patches. The rootstock is 

creeping and has many branches. The fronds 

are erect, leathery and dark green. They can 

be 1 m long. The segments of the fronds are 

lobed and sword shaped. They are largest at 

the base of the frond. The largest leaflets are 

8-15 cm long by 1-1.8 cm wide. They are 

leathery. There are hairs on the veins 

underneath the leaf. The stalk has papery 

scales on it. The fruit spot of spores are under 

the leaf in a zigzag line along the edge of the 

leaf. 

Distribution: It grows in swamps. It can grow in wet clay soil and sunny locations. It can stand 

frost. In Papua New Guinea it grows from sea level to 1,500 m altitude but mostly it is at low 

altitudes below 50 m. 

Cultivation: It can be grown from division of the rhizome or from spores. 

Production: 

Use: The young growing point and young fronds have been recorded as eaten. 



part 

Leaves 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

144 

Names 

English: Climbing swamp fern Scientific name: Stenochlaena palustris (Burm.f.) Bedd 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Polypodium palustre Burm. 

Tok ples: Plant family: Blechnaceae 

Description: A climbing or scrambling 

fern with a thin smooth rhizome which 

climbs up sago palms and tree trunks. 

The stems are brown smooth and less 

than 1 cm across. They are only 

sparingly branched. The fronds are up to 

80 cm long and have leaflets. The 

fronds droop. The fronds have several 

leaflets and are often red in colour when 

young. Fertile fronds when they occur, 

are at the top and are thin. 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant. It is widely distributed in areas of shrub especially in 

swampy coastal areas. It likes warm, waterlogged partly cleared forest sites. It is frost sensitive. 

Cultivation: It is easily grown. 

Production: 

Use: The young shoots are eaten raw or cooked. 



part 

Leaves 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: A common fern in lowland areas and eaten in several different places in Papua 

New Guinea. Also eaten in other countries. 

Zinc 

mg

145 

Names 

English: Fern Scientific name: Stenochlaena milnei Underw. 



Description: A scrambling creeping fern. It has its 

base rooted to the ground but climbs up trees. The 

fronds are widely spaced and come out horizontally but 

then hang down. The rhizome is 10-15 mm across and 

pale green. Sometimes it is covered with a bluish 

bloom. The rhizome is smooth but with dark small 

circular scales. The fronds are 100 - 150 cm long and 

3-5 cm wide. The fertile segments of the divided 

fronds are 4-7 mm wide and 15-30 cm long. They 

occur higher on the plant. 

Distribution: They occur in well drained lowland 

rainforest. They can occur in sago swamps and near 

rivers. They occur between sea level and 300 m 

altitude. They occur in the Philippines, Papua New 

Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Often they occur 

with Stenochlaena palustris but tends to be more robust 

and in less swampy conditions. 

Cultivation: 

Production: 

Use: The young leaves are probably occasionally eaten. 


Edible 

part 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

146 

Names 

English: Giant Creek Fern Scientific name: Pneumatopteris sogerensis (A. Gepp.) Holttum 


Tok ples: Plant family: Thelypteridaceae 

Description: A fern which grows on dry land. It forms 

large clumps. The rootstock forms a short slender 

trunk. The fronds are 50-200 cm long by 40-60 cm 

across. They are dark green and soft or fleshy. The 

side leaflets (pinnae) spread at right angles and are 20- 

30 cm long by 2.5-3 cm wide. The lowest 5 or 6 pairs 

occur as small lobes. 

Distribution: It occurs in Indonesia, Papua New 

Guinea and the Solomons as well as Australia. It grows 

near streams and on gentle slopes. It is in rainforests 

often at medium to high altitudes above sea level. It 

can grow in temperate regions. It does best in a 

sheltered position where there is adequate moisture and 

a well drained soil. It grows better if kept well watered 

and improves when fertilisers are applied. 

Cultivation: It is grown from spores. 

Production: 

Use: 


Edible 

part 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

147 

Names 

English: Golden Mangrove fern Scientific name: Acrostichum aureum L. 


Tok ples: Plant family: Pteridaceae/Adiantaceae 

Description: A fern with a short to medium creeping 

rhizome. The rhizome is up to 3 cm thick. It has large 

fleshy roots. The fronds are erect and up to 4 m long. 

The leaflets are large, thick and leathery. They are only 

divided once. They have blunt tips. They often have a 

yellowish colour. It grows in clumps or spreads out 

over the ground. Under the uppermost leaves there is 

often a mass of spores in a brown sugary mass. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. Usually found in open 

swampy or mangrove situations. It cannot tolerate 

saltwater. It grows in Australia in the Northern 

Territory and Queensland. It is eaten in the Solomon 

Islands. It occurs throughout the tropics. It is very 

frost tender. It occurs in brackish pools and swamps 

and creeks near the beach. 

Cultivation: It is slow to re-establish if transplanted. Often transplanted plants die. The best 

option is to transplant young plants growing from spores. It can be grown from spores. 

Production: 

Use: The young leaves (fronds) are eaten in salads. 


Edible 

part 

Leaves 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: It is used as food in Australia, but it is not known if it is used for food in Papua 

New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

148 

Names 

English: Ladder fern Scientific name: Nephrolepis biserrata (Sw.) Schott 


Tok ples: Plant family: Davalliaceae/ Nephrolepidaceae/ 

Oleandraceae 

Description: A tufted fern with slender runners. The 

rhizomes have scales. The fronds can be up to 2.5 m 

long, erect and bright green. They are divided once. It 

is a coarse woody fern that grows in tangled colonies. 

These small plants grow from the branched wiry 

runners. The spore bearing bodies are round and lie in 

a row between the midrib and leaf edge. 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant. It prefers open or 

lightly shaded areas often along rocks. It can grow as 

an epiphyte on the trunks of palms. It is very frost 

tender. It probably grows up to about 1000 m altitude. 

It can tolerate some salt. Often it is in wet areas in soil 

with a high humus content. 

Cultivation: The ferns are easily grown in warm areas, 

but they are not easily transplanted. They can be grown 

from spores or more commonly by separating off the 

small plants. 

Production: 

Use: The young shoots and rhizomes are eaten. 


Edible 

part 

Shoots 

Rhizome 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

149 

Names 

English: Mangrove fern Scientific name: Acrostichum speciosum Willd. 


Tok ples: Plant family: Adiantaceae 

Description: A coarse clumpy fern. It 

grows 1.5 m tall and has a creeping 

underground stem (rhizome) forming 

clumps. The stem is 5 cm across and 10 

cm high. It is covered with brown 

scales. The leaves are erect fronds. The 

leaflets are on either side of the leaf 

stalk. The stalk of the frond is 50 cm 

long and 0.3-0.8 cm thick. The fronds 

are 1.5 m long. The leaflets are 20 cm 

long by 3.5 cm wide. They are 

somewhat thick and leathery. They are 

dull dark green. They taper to a narrow 

tip. 

The stalks for these leaflets are 1 cm long. The spores are produced on the upper fertile fronds. 

These are smaller than the sterile fronds. The spores cover the entire under surface as a dark 

brown mass. In Australia fertile fronds are produced in June. 

Distribution: It grows in coastal flats and tidal areas. It is associated with mangroves. It can 

stand being flooded frequently by saltwater. This is the only fern found growing with 

mangroves. It occurs in Australia and Asia. It is very frost tender. 

Cultivation: Plants are very difficult to transplant. Plants can be grown from young spores. 

Production: 

Use: The root is used for food. The starch is extracted and eaten. 

Also the young curled shoots can be cooked and eaten. 


Edible 

part 

Starch 

Leaves 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: It is used as food in Australia, but it is not known if it is used for food in Papua 

New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

150 

Names 

English: Hairy Sword Fern Scientific name: Nephrolepis hirsutula (Forst.)Presl. 


Tok ples: Plant family: Davalliaceae 

Description: A coarse fern with 

creeping rootstocks. It keeps growing 

from year to year and forms dense 

colonies. The stem is erect producing a 

tuft of fronds. The stalks are 10-40 cm 

long and pale brown. The fronds are 

narrow with leaflets. The fronds are 0.3 

to 1.2 m long and 8 to 15 cm wide. They 

are erect or arch over. The leaflets are 5- 

10 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. The base 

has a narrow, triangle shaped lobe. 

There are rounded teeth along the edge. 

The plant grows both on the ground and 

on other plants. 

It is smaller than Nephrolepis biserrata. The fertile leaflets are more narrow than the sterile 

ones. The spore bodies or sori are near the edge of the leaf. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. Widely distributed in low and medium altitudes in the 

Philippines. Common in Asia and the Pacific. It is normally in lowland areas near rainforest. It 

is very frost tender. 

Cultivation: It is easily grown but not easily transplanted. Plants can be grown from spores or 

from small plants produced on runners. 

Production: 

Use: The young shoots are cooked and eaten. 



part 

Leaves 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

151 

Names 

English: Fern Scientific name: Microsorum linguaeforme 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Polypodium musifolium Bl. 

Tok ples: Plant family: Polypodiaceae 

Description: A fern with a thin rhizome. It is 

long and creeping. They creep on high trees. 

The fronds are 15-40 cm long. The fronds do 

not have stalks. They have expanded bases 

which surround the stem. They are broadly 

oval but constricted near the base. The leaflets 

are sword shaped in the upper part and taper to 

the tip. The roots form soft masses covered 

with broad hairs. The spore producing bodies 

are few and are scattered. 

Distribution: Plants grow on trees in primary 

and secondary rainforest. 

Cultivation: 

Production: 

Use: 


Edible 

part 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

152 

Names 

English: King fern, Giant fern Scientific name: Angiopteris evecta (G. Forst.) Hoffm. 


Tok ples: Plant family: Angiopteridaceae/ Marattiaceae 

Description: A tree fern. It grows to 6 m 

high. The crown can be 12 m across. The 

erect rhizome or trunk can be 1 m high and 80 

cm across in older plants. This trunk is fleshy 

with thick fleshy roots. It can just have a tuft 

of leaves coming from near ground level. 

Because there is no hard tissue, the water 

pressure inside the stalk keeps the leaves erect. 

This frond will therefore collapse in dry 

weather. Where the stem of the frond joins the 

trunk is a large ear-shaped leafy structure 

(stipule). The leaves are 2-7 m long and 1-2.5 

m wide. 

The leaves can be divided 2 to 4 times. The small leaflets are 13 cm long and finely toothed 

around the edge. There are 3-7 pairs of spore bearing organs in double rows along the veins. 

The fronds are very fleshy and contain a lot of starch. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. It is a lowland forest plant. They grow naturally on fertile, moist 

soil in the rainforest. Often they are near streams and waterfalls. They commonly grow in 

partial shade. They grow from sea level to 700 m altitude. They can survive some frost once 

plants are 3-4 years old. They cannot tolerate dry conditions. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. 

Cultivation: They are normally grown from the stipules or leafy structure at the base of the 

leaflet. It may take 12-18 months for the shoots to form. It is difficult to grow this fern from 

spores. Small plantlets already developing from the base of the fronds can be removed and 

planted. 

Production: Plants grow quickly. They grow slowly in cool areas. 

Use: The young fiddle heads or unopened young fronds are eaten. 

Flour can be made from the stalks and rhizomes. 



part 

Fronds 

Flour 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: Occasionally used in Papua New Guinea to extract starch. It has been used in the 

Society Islands. 

Zinc 

mg

153 

Names 

English: Fern Scientific name: Asplenium affine Sw. 



Description: A fern which grows to 50 cm high. The 

leafy fronds are 25 cm long. They are twice divided. 

The segments of the leaflets are not the same shape on 

both side of the midrib. The spore cluster under the 

leaf is about 5 mm long. 

Distribution: 

Cultivation: 

Production: 

Use: 


Edible 

part 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

154 

Names 

English: Bird’s Nest Fern Scientific name: Asplenium nidus L. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Neottopteris nidis J.Smith 


Description: An evergreen fern. It 

grows to 1.5 m high and spreads 3 m 

across. It can grow by feeding on other 

plants. It forms nest like bowls on the 

upper side of branches. The 

underground thickened horizontal stem 

is dark brown and short. It is covered 

with blackish scales. The roots are 

hairy. The fronds grow out from a 

central point so that the fern forms 

rounded tussocks. The fronds are simple 

and entire and sword shape. The fronds 

can be 2 m long and up to 20 cm wide. 

They are dark or yellowish green. They 

have a raised, bluntly rounded mid vein. 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant. It grows in well drained moist soils. It prefers a well 

protected partly shaded position but not heavy shade. It is drought and frost tender. It suits 


Cultivation: Plants can be grown from spores. 

Production: 

Use: In the Caroline Islands and Marshall Islands young leaves are eaten. Also in India. 


Edible 

part 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

Importance: It is not known if it is used for food in Papua New Guinea. 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

155 

Names 

English: Fern Scientific name: Microsorum scolopendria (Burm.f.) Copel 



Description: This fern has a rhizome which is long and 

creeping. The fern grows to 65 cm high. The rhizome 

is fleshy, green and up to 8 mm across. It is sparsely 

covered with light brown scales. The fronds are light 

green and up to 10-60 cm long and 25-30 cm wide. 

The base of the frond is swollen. They have a variable 

number of lobes which are 4-15 cm long. The sori are 

2-3 mm across and situated near the mid vein. They 

form 2 or 3 rows on each side of the rib. 

Distribution: It is a hardy tropical species often found 

on trees or rocks in protected places near the edges of 

rainforest. They are frost tender. It grows best in light 

shade. 

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from spores or division of the rhizome. They are easily grown 

or transplanted. 

Production: 

Use: 


Edible 

part 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

156 

Names 

English: Adder’s Tongue Scientific name: Ophioglossum reticulatum L. 


Tok ples: Plant family: Ophioglossaceae 

Description: A fern. It is a herb. It grows 5-35 cm 

high. The rhizome is like a cylinder with many thin 

roots. The stalk of the frond is 3-8 cm long. The 

fronds are distinct. The sterile fronds are 3.5 cm long 

by 2 cm wide. They are oval and the base is heart 

shaped. The fertile frond is 2-2.5 cm long and on a 

slender stalks coming from the base of the sterile frond. 

Distribution: It grows amongst grass in open forest. In 

Nepal it grows up to 1400 m altitude. It grows in 

moist, shady places. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from spores. They can also be grown from parts of the roots. 

Production: 

Use: The fronds are cooked as a vegetable. They are also used in salads. 


Edible 

part 

Leaves 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

157 

Names 

English: Bungwall Scientific name: Blechnum orientale L. 



Description: A medium to tall fern. It grows 0.3-1.2 m 

tall. It forms round clumps. The stem is short and has 

brown scales with very small teeth. The fronds can be 

1 m high. The fronds are spreading or erect, forming a 

rosette. They often droop at the tips. The side leaflets 

are thin and long, with a long pointed tip. They do not 

have teeth along the edge. They are about 20-25 cm 

long and 0.8-1.8 cm wide. They are attached directly to 

the stalk. The youngest leaflets are pink. The leaf 

segments are rounded and smallest at the base. The 

fronds are dark green and shiny. The spore bodies are 

produced under the fertile fronds which have an 

appearance similar to the other fronds. These spores 

occur in a long continuous line along both sides of the 

midrib. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. It occurs in rainforest 

and swampy areas. It grows best with regular water but 

can tolerate some sun and dryness. It grows in forest 

clearings and along roadsides. It is frost tender. It can 

grow on rocky edges of waterfalls. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from spores. 

Production: 

Use: The rhizome is eaten after cooking and pounding. 


Edible 

part 

Rhizome 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 


proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

158 

Names 

English: Parsley fern, Austral moonwort Scientific name: Botrychium australe R.Br. 



Description: A tufted fern which grows to 40 cm high. 

It continues to grow from year to year and grows on dry 

land. The rhizome or underground stem is thick and 

fleshy. It does not have scales or hairs. Both fertile 

and sterile leaves occur from a common stem which is 

2-5 cm long. The sterile leaves are 5-45 cm long and 5- 

20 cm wide. They are triangular shaped. They are 

divided up to 5 times. They are bright green and 

resemble parsley leaves. The fertile stalk is 10-20 cm 

long and branched 2 or 3 times. The spore bodies occur 

in rows and crowded on either side. The new frond is 

not curled when a bud. 

Distribution: It grows in open forests and near the 

edges of rainforests. It needs light shade. It requires an 

acid soil. The soil should be well drained but moist. 

Cultivation: It can be grown from offshoots. It needs a good supply of organic material. 

Production: 

Use: 


Edible 

part 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 


proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

159 

Names 

English: Fern Scientific name: Callipteris prolifera (Lam.)Bory 

Tok pisin: Kumugras Synonyms: 

Tok ples: Plant family: Aspleniaceae, Athyriaceae 

Description: A fern with a tufted, 

woody, black rhizome covered with 

black scales. The trunk is short. The 

plant forms rounded clumps. The stem 

of the fronds is triangular in cross 

section. It is spiny. The fronds are erect 

and up to 2 m long. They arch over. 

They are fleshy and pale green. The 

leaflets are in one row with the base 

ending abruptly. These leaflets are 

curved and with a scalloped edge. The 

top end has a tail. 

The spore or fruit spots are brown in double rows between the ribs. The spore groups are 

arranged in long V shaped pairs under the fronds. Small plantlets often grow along the fronds on 

the upper half. 

Distribution: It occurs in the tropical lowlands. It likes hot humid places. It occurs in East and 

West New Britain and Manus in Papua New Guinea. It often grows along creeks. It grows in 

rainforest. The fronds are brittle and easily damaged by the wind. It can grow in shady places. 

Cultivation: It can be grown from the small plantlets on the fronds. It is best to grow it in soil, 

in gardens. It can be grown from spores. 

Production: 

Use: The fronds are edible. 


Edible 

part 

Leaves 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: A commonly used fern in New Britain and Manus in Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

160 

Names 

English: Swamp fern, Water sprite Scientific name: Ceratopteris thalictroides (L.) Bronin 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Acrostichum thalictroides L 

Tok ples: Plant family: Parkeriaceae 

Description: A fern which grows in water. It is an 

annual plant. It grows 10-35 cm tall. It has soft upright 

stalks with light green soft fronds. The rhizome is short 

and sticks up. There are thin, clear, scales on the 

rhizome. The leaves vary from simple leaves, to leaves 

which are divided 3 times. The stem is anchored in 

mud. It grows as tufted clumps. Leaves are like carrot 

tops. The stem of the frond is spongy and air filled. It 

can grow under the water or be free floating. It 

produces small plants on the fronds. The fertile fronds 

which produce the spores, are longer and more finely 

divided, than the other fronds. They are more stiff and 

erect and turn brown when mature. The plant only lasts 

a few months. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. It grows in still or slow 

flowing fresh water in the tropics. It occurs in swamps 

up to 1300 m altitude in Papua New Guinea, but it is 

mostly below 500 m. It can float. It is found in all 

tropical countries. It is very frost tender. They occur 

throughout the Philippines near sea level on mud and 

are able to thrive in shallow water. 

Cultivation: It is grown as an aquarium plant. Small pieces of plant will root in mud. Spores 

can also grow. 

Production: 

Use: The plant is edible. It can be used raw or cooked. 

The young uncurled fronds can be eaten raw. 



part 

Leaves 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

161 

Names 

English: Rock fern, Oak leaf fern Scientific name: Drynaria quercifolia (L.) J. Smith 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Polypodium quercifolia L 


Description: A large fern which grows attached to 

other plants. It climbs on trees. It can be 1 m high. It 

forms large spreading clumps. The rootstock is thick 

and fleshy. There are two kinds of fronds. One forms 

the "nest" and these do not have a stem and the others 

which are more like leaves and have a stem. The 

second ones have stems which are 30 cm long. The 

frond is one m long by 40 cm wide. It has deep lobes. 

The first kind of fronds have lobes and teeth around the 

edge. These turn brown with age but do not fall off the 

fern. The young fronds of this fern are different shape 

from the mature fronds on established ferns. 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant. It grows in lowland 

rainforest. It does best in warm humid conditions. It 

can tolerate cool temperatures. It can grow on rocks 

and trees in open forests in the tropics. 

Cultivation: Pieces of the thick rhizome can be planted in soil or attached to wood. They should 

be in light shade while getting established. In cool weather the roots should be allowed to dry 

out. Plants can loose all their fronds and then regrow in the wet season. Plants can also be 

grown from spores. These should be sown fresh. 

Production: 

Use: The rhizome is eaten. 


Edible 

part 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

162 

Names 

English: Fern Scientific name: Dryopteris sparsa (D. Don) O. Kuntze 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Nephrodium sparsa D. Don 


Description: A fern up to 80 cm tall. It forms clumps. 

The rootstock is erect and becomes tufted. It has large 

papery scales. The stalks of the fronds are erect, brown 

and smooth and shiny. The fronds are 30-80 cm tall. 

They are broadly triangular and divided 2 or 3 times. 

They are dull green, thin and break easily. The spore 

bodies are round and have a cover over them. 

Distribution: It grows in cool shady positions in 

tropical rainforests. It is easily damaged by wind. 

Cultivation: It can be grown from spores which should be sown fresh. 

Production: 

Use: The fronds are eaten. 


Edible 

part 

Leaves 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

163 

Names 

English: Flowering fern Scientific name: Helminthostachys zeylanica (L.)Hook. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Osmunda zeylanica L.; 


Description: An erect fern with short creeping 

underground stout rhizomes. The plant is up to 60 cm 

high. They bear solitary or sometimes several fronds. 

The stalk of the leaf frond is up to 25-35 cm long and 

12-20 cm wide. At the tip it has 3 segments of the 

sterile frond. The fertile part is like a spike and comes 

from the stalk. The spores are yellow in brown spore 

bodies which are 0.8 mm across. 

Distribution: A tropical fern. They grow in shady sites 

in the forest. They are found throughout the 

Philippines in open bushy places near sea level and on 

damp ground. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown by splitting the rhizomes. 

Production: 

Use: The young fronds of this fern are eaten raw as a salad or cooked as a vegetable. 



part 

Leaves 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

164 

Names 

English: Climbing maidenhair fern Scientific name: Lygodium microphyllum (Cav.)R.Br. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Ophioglossum scandens L. 

Tok ples: Plant family: Schizaeaceae 

Description: A climbing fern which keeps growing 

from year to year. It grows 1-3 m long and spreads 30- 

90 cm wide. It has slender twining stems. The leaf is 

the climbing part. The stalk branches and produces 6- 

10 small fronds. The leaves are smooth fronds. They 

are divided into leaflets along the stalk. The leaflets are 

light green with short stalks. The leaflets are 6 cm 

long. The edges have fine teeth. The spores are 

produced on fertile leaflets which are smaller than the 

others. These ones have lobes on the edge. The 

slender, horizontal, underground stems are fleshy and 

brittle. 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant. It can grow in warm 

temperate regions. It grows naturally in monsoon 

forest near freshwater streams. It grows naturally in 

mountain forest. It can form thickets in swampy 

coastal country. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from layers or less commonly from spores. 

Production: 

Use: The fleshy underground stems have been recorded as eaten. 

The young leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. 



part 

Stems 

Leaves 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

165 

Names 

English: Fern Scientific name: Marattia sp. 


Tok ples: Plant family: Marattiaceae 

Description: A fern with a short creeping starchy 

rhizome. The rhizome is large like a tuber. The fronds 

are large and shiny. When cut the surface of the 

rhizome stains purple. 

Distribution: 

Cultivation: It grows wild. It can be cultivated. 

Production: 

Use: The starchy rhizome has been processed for starch which is eaten. 


Edible 

part 

Starch 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

166

Salak 

Salacca zalacca 

Bactris gasipaes 

Caryota rumphiana 

167 

Coconut 

Cocos nucifera 

Palms 

Nipa 

Nipa fruticans 

Buai 

Areca catechu 

Kambibi 

Areca macrocalyx 

There are about 32 palms 

in Papua New Guinea 

that can be used in some 

way as food

168 


Coconut Kokonat Cocos nucifera 169 

Betel nut Buai Areca catechu 172 

Highlands betel nut Kambibi Areca macrocalyx 174 

Areca guppyana 175 

Areca jobiensis 176 

Arenga palm Arenga microcarpa 177 

Peach palm Bactris gasipaes 178 

Palmyra palm Borassus flabellifer 180 

Palmyra like palm Borassus heineana 181 

Papua white rattan Calamus hollrungii 182 

Fishtail palm Caryota rumphiana var. papuana 183 

Corypha palm Corypha utan 184 

Oil palm Elaeis guineensis 185 

Gronophyllum chaunostachys 187 

Gulubia cylindrocarpa 188 

Minor walking stick 

Linospadix minor 189 

palm 

Fan palm Livistona benthamii 190 

Dwarf fan palm Livistona muelleri 191 

Black palm Normanbya normanbyi 192 

Date palm Phoenix dactylifera 193 

Solitaire palm Ptychosperma elegans 194 

Grey cane palm Ptychosperma macarthurii 195 

Traveller’s palm Ravenala madagascariensis 196 

Cuban royal palm Roystonea regia 197 

Claudie River Lawyer 

vine 

Calamus warburgii 198

169 

Names 

English: Coconut Scientific name: Cocos nucifera L. 

Tok pisin: Kokonat Synonyms: 


Description: A palm with an unbranched trunk. The 

trunk has ring-like leaf scars along it. At the base it is 

swollen and surrounded by a mass of roots. They grow 

to about 25 m tall. The fronds are 2-6 m long. They 

are divided along the stalk into strap shaped leaflets. 

The leaflets are 60-90 cm long. They are narrow and 

tapering. Clusters of large fruit develop beneath the 

fronds. Male and female flowers are separate on the 

one stalk. Female flowers are near the base. Flowers 

are cream. The flowers are covered by boat shaped 

bracts. About 10-12 fruit/stalk is a good crop. Leaves 

are up to 5 m long. Fruit can be 25 cm across. The 

fruit are fibrous. The hard shell inside is filled with 

coconut milk and the white copra layer. 

Distribution: Mainly in coastal areas but occasionally 

up to 1000 m in the tropics. Temperatures of 27°-32°C 

are best. They need a minimum temperature of over 

18°C to bear fruit. They need over 1000 mm of 

rain/year preferably 1500 mm. Soils need to be well 

drained. It requires plenty of sunlight. It is salt 

tolerant. In Nepal plants grow to 500 m altitude. 

Coconuts are normally confined to within 26° of the 

equator. It suits hardiness zones 12. 

Cultivation: Selected nuts are sprouted in a nursery, then planted out. Seedlings are ready for 

transplanting when they have 3-4 leaves (about 1 year). The nut should be planted in a hole 0.6 

x 0.6 m. A spacing of about 7-8 m is suitable. Temperatures need to be above 15°C for nuts to 

germinate. 

Production: Early germinating nuts, give early production in the field. They can commence 

production after 6-8 years. The best yeilds are often produced between 12 and 60 years of age. 

Trees can live for 100 years. Palms can produce 15-30 nuts per year. Fruit take about 1 year to 

be mature. Tapping the flower stalk can give 1 kg sap/day for 6 months. 

Use: The liquid of fresh nuts is drunk. 

The flesh is eaten, and the "apple" in sprouting nuts is eaten. 

The flesh is grated and used in cooking as "coconut" milk. 

The young shoots at the top of the palm can be eaten. 

The sap from the flower stalk can be tapped for the sugary juice. 




Flesh 80.9 119 1.1 0.2 0.2 

Milk 

Shoots 

Sap 

84.9 1004 3.7 1.3 8 0.4

170 

Insects: 

Agapophyta bipunctata Boisd. Pentatomidae (HEM.) 

Aleurodicus destructor (Mackie) Aleyrodidae (HEM) Coconut white fly 

Amblypelta cocophaga China Coreidae (HEM) Green coconut bug 

Amblypelta costalis szentivanyi Brown Coreidae (HEM) 

Amblypelta gallegonis Lever Coreidae (HEM) 

Amblypelta lutescens papuensis Br. Coreidae (HEM) Papuan tip wilt bug 

Amblypelta theobromae Brown Coreidae (HEM) Tip wilt bug 

Aspidiotus destructor Sign. Diaspididae (HEM) Coconut scale 

Astacops dorycus Boisd. Lygaeidae (HEM) 

Axiagastus cambelli Dist. Pentatomidae (HEM) Coconut spathe bug 

Brontispa longissima Gestro Chrysomelidae (COL) Coconut hispid 

Brontispa palmivora Gres Chrysomelidae (COL) Coconut hispid 

Brontispa simmondsi Mlk. Chrysomelidae (COL) Coconut hispid 

Cephrenes mosleyi (Butl.) Hesperiidae Coconut skipper 

Ceroplastes rubens Mask. Coccidae (HEM) Pink wax scale 

Chrysomphalus aonidum (L.) Diaspididae (HEM) Florida red scale 

Coccus hesperidium L. Coccidae (HEM) Soft brown scale 

Darala rubeola Feld. Lasiocampidae (LEP) 

Diocalandra frumenti (F.) Curculionidae (COL) 

Diocalandra taitense (Guer.) Curculionidae (COL) Lesser coconut borer 

Dynastes gideon (L.) Scarabaeidae (COL) Elephant beetle 


Erionota thrax (L.) Hesperiidae (LEP) Banana skipper 

Eumossula gracilis Willemse Tettigoniidae (ORTH) Coconut tree hopper 

Ischiosopha ignatipennis Boisd. Cetoniidae (COL) 

Lophotectes penicilliger (Heller) Curculionidae (COL) 

Meredolus cocotis Marshall Curculionidae (COL) 

Microtermes biroi Desneaux Rhinotermitidae (ISOP) 

Oryctes centaurus Sternb Scarabaeidae (COL) 

Oryctes rhinoceros (L.) Scarabaeidae (COL) Asiatic rhinoceros beetle 

Oxya japonica (Thnb.) Acrididae (ORTH) 


Promecotheca papuana Csiki Hispidae (COL) Coconut leaf miner 

Psammoecus sp. Silvanidae (COL) 

Pseudoligota sp. Staphylinidae (COL) 


Rhynchophorus bilineatus (Montr.) Curculionidae (COL) Black palm weevil 

Rhynchophorus ferrugineous (Oliv.) Curculionidae (COL) Red palm weevil 

Scapanes australis grossepunctatus Sternb. Dynastidae (COL) N G rhinoceros beetle 

Scapanes australis australis (Boisd.) Dynastidae (COL) 

Segetes cornelii Willemse Tettigoniidae (ORTH) Coconut treehoppers 

Segestidea defoliatria defoliatria Ulvavov Tettigoniidae (ORTH) Coconut treehoppers 

Segestidea gracilis (Willemse) Tettigoniidae (ORTH) Coconut treehoppers 

Segestidea hanoverana Willemse Tettigoniidae (ORTH) Coconut treehoppers 

Segestidea insulana Willemse Tettigoniidae (ORTH) Coconut treehoppers 

Segestidea montana Willemse Tettigoniidae (ORTH) Coconut treehoppers 

Segestidea novaeguineae Brancsik Tettigoniidae (ORTH) Coconut treehoppers 

Sparganobasis subcruciatus Marsh Curculionidae (COL) Coconut bole weevil 

Thosea sinensis (Walker) Limacodidae (LEP) Coconut cup moth 

Tirathaba ignevena Hmps. Pyralidae (LEP) Coconut spathe moth 

Tirathaba rufivena Walker Pyralidae (LEP) Coconut spathe moth 

Trichogomphus excavatus Mohinke Scarabaeidae (COL) 

Trichogomphus semmelinki Rits Scarabaeidae (COL) Rhinoceros beetle 

Xyleborus exiguus Walk. Scolytidae (COL) Island pinhole borer 

Xyleborus perforans (Wollastan) Scolytidae (COL) Coconut shot-hole borer

171 

Xyleborus potens Schedl. Scolytidae (COL) 

Zophiuma lobulata Ghauri Lophopidae (HEM) Lophopid treehopper 

Diseases: 

Sooty mould Fungi Capnodium sp. 

Chaetothyrium sp. 

Meliola sp. 

Stem bleeding Fungus Ceratocystis paradoxa 

Black leaf mould Fungi Clasterosporium cocoicola M B Ellis & D Shaw 

And Sporidesmium macrurum 

White thread blight Fungus Corticium penicillatum Petch 

Leaf spots Fungi Bipolaris incurvata 

And Pestalotiopsis palmarum 

Pseudoepicoccum cocos (F.L.Stev.) M.B.Ellis 

Root rot Fungus Ganoderma lucidum 

And Rigidoporus microporus 

Brown root rot Fungus Phellinus noxius 

Bud rot Fungus Phytophthora palmivora 

Pests: 

Importance: A common and popular snack food and supplement in all coastal areas of Papua 

New Guinea. Coconuts are normally eaten everyday.

172 

Names 

English: Betel nut Scientific name: Areca catechu L. 

Tok pisin: Buai Synonyms: 


Description: A straight slender palm up to 30 m tall. 

The leaves can spread 5 m across. The trunk is slender 

and erect. The trunk has rings around it and is about 10 

to 15 cm across. The fronds or leaves are divided into 

leaflets along a stalk. The leaves are a dark green and 

1.5 m long with leaf divisions about 25 cm long. The 

leaves arch over. The ends of the leaflets have 

irregularly placed teeth. A much branched flower 

cluster develops below the sheath. This can be 60 cm 

long with pale yellow flowers. The female flower 

occurs on its own at the base surrounded by small, 

white, sweet smelling male flowers. The fruit are egg 

shaped and up to 7 cm long. They change from green 

to red or yellow as they ripen. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. They occur from sea 

level up to 900 m altitude in the tropics. It does best in 

rich moist soils in a shady, sheltered position. It needs 

soils of reasonable depth for good production. Plants 

are drought and frost tender. The seed needs to be 

sown when temperatures are 24-27°C. Plants can 

tolerate temperatures down to a minimum of 13-15°C. 

Found in settled areas throughout the Philippines. It 

grows in Nepal up to 400 m altitude. It suits hardiness 

zones 11-12. 

Cultivation: Trees are grown from seed. The seedlings are transplanted at 1-2 years of age. A 

spacing of 3 m between plants is the best spacing. Bananas can be used to provide temporary 

shade while betel nut palms get established. Holes 50 cm across and deep need to be dug. The 

seedlings should be planted 20 cm below ground level. As emerging prop roots develop the hole 

should be filled in. 

Production: The palm commences bearing fruit after about 7 years. The fruit take 6-8 months 

to ripen. 

Use: The nut is chewed (with lime and betel pepper) as a masticatory. 

The heart of the palm is edible and eaten raw or cooked. 

Caution: Chewing betel nut is associated with cancer of the mouth and throat. It contains 

alkaloids and tannins. 


Edible 

part 

Nut 

Cabbage 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Insects: 


Rhabdoscelus obscurus Boisd. Curculionidae (COL) Cane weevil borer 

Zinc 

mg

173 

Scapanes australis australis Boisd. Dynastidae (COL) Rhinoceros beetle 

Zophiuma lobulata Ghauri Lophopidae (HEM) no damage noted. 

Diseases: 

Black leaf mould Fungus Acroconidiellina arecae (Berk & Broome) M.B.Ellis 

Leaf spots Fungi Guignardia kcalami 

And Glomerella cingulata 

And Graphium sp. 

Pests: 

Importance: occurs as an important social nut and masticatory in all lowland areas of many 

Asian and Pacific countries. It is traded into the highland regions.

174 

Names 

English: Highland Betel nut palm Scientific name: Areca macrocalyx Zipp. ex Blume 

Tok pisin: Kambibi Synonyms: 


Description: This is a small palm up to 2-10 m high. It 

has a thick dark green crown. The trunk is straight. It 

is green in its younger parts. There are widely spaced 

white rings of leaf base scars along the trunk. The 

crownshaft is long and narrow. It is 1.2 m long. The 

leaves are 2 m long. They stick upwards and do not 

arch over. The leaflets are pleated. They vary in width 

and spacing. They are dark green above and pale 

underneath. It has dead male spikes between the rows 

of nuts. It has dense club-like clusters of fruit. The 

fruit can be round or elongated. They are deep orange 

when mature. 

Distribution: It grows in the highlands of Papua New 

Guinea mostly between 1000 m and 1900 m.. It grows 

in tropical and subtropical areas. 

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed. 

Production: 

Use: The nuts are used as a substitute for betel nut. 

The palm heart is edible. 


Edible 

part 

Nuts 

Cabbage 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

175 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Areca guppyana 


Tok ples: Bua Lau Plant family: Arecaceae 

Description: A palm with a thin solitary trunk. It 

grows to 3 m tall. It has stilt roots at the base. The 

crownshaft is slender and smooth. The crown has short 

fronds. Each frond has about 5 pairs of widely spaced 

broad pinnae. The fruit are bright red. 

Distribution: It grows in tropical rainforests. 

Cultivation: 

Production: 

Use: The nut is used as betel substitute. 



part 

Nut 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

176 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Areca jobiensis Becc. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: See Areca macrocalyx Becc. 

Tok ples: Kumul Plant family: Arecaceae 

Description: A slender palm. The flower stalk is 30-40 

cm long and 20-30 cm wide. It has many thickly 

crowded twigs. The female flowers are at the base of 

the flower cluster and many male flowers surround it. 

The many fruit are clustered around the stalk and the 

bunch is 15-25 cm long. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. It occurs in New Britain 

in Papua New Guinea. 

Cultivation: Palms are grown from seed. 

Production: 

Use: The nuts or seeds are used as a substitute for betel nut. 


Edible 

part 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

177 

Names 

English: Arenga palm Scientific name: Arenga microcarpa Beccari 



Description: A small clumpy palm with several stems. 

The palm is 8 m tall and the stems are 10 cm across. It 

has leaves which are once branched (unipinnate) and 

with narrow, long, leaflets along the leaf stalk. The 

leaflets form a V shape along the midrib. The leaflet at 

the end is often triangular. The leaf fronds arch over. 

The flower stalk is like fishtail palm but smaller. This 

stalk is produced from among the leaves. The flower 

stalk is large and with simple branching. The highest 

flowers are female and the lower ones can be male or of 

both sexes. The fruit spikes hang over and are densely 

clustered with fruit. The fruit are red and juicy. They 

are 1.5 cm across. There are 2-3 seeds inside a fruit. 

Distribution: They are widespread and common in the 

lowlands of Papua New Guinea. It occurs on rocky 

shores and in lowland forest. It is a tropical plant. 

Cultivation: They normally grow wild. Plants can be grown from seeds. 

Production: 

Use: The shoots are eaten. 

It is probable that the male flower could be cut off and the sap collected and boiled to 

concentrate the sugar. 

Sago starch can probably also be processed from the trunk. 

Caution: The juice of the fleshy fruit irritates the skin. 


Edible 

part 

Cabbage 

Sap 

Sago 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: A common palm used for edible shoots in several areas of Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

178 

Names 

English: Pejibaye, Peach palm Scientific name: Bactris gasipaes Kunth. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Guilielma gasipaes (Kunth) L. H. Bailey 


Description: A tall slender palm with thorny trunk and 

suckers at the base. It often has between 1 and 13 

stems. The stems are straight and unbranched. They 

are 6-24 m tall, 12-26 cm in diameter, with nodes 2-9 

cm long and internodes 7-27 cm long at breast height. 

The canopy has 10-30 pinnate leaves which are 

spineless. The petiole-sheath is 49-179 cm long, the 

rachis is 179-396 cm long, and has 180-386 leaflets. 

The leaflets are twice forked and leaflets are 58-115 cm 

long, 3-6 cm wide. Flowers are separately male and 

female on the same stalk of the same palm. Female 

flowers are irregularly arranged among male flowers. 

Fruit are orange when ripe. and about 5-8 cm across. 

They have yellow oily flesh. Fruit without seeds often 

occur. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. These palms have good 

wind resistance. They have a moderate tolerance of 

drought. They grow from sea level to 1200 m altitude 

in regions near the equator. It suits the wet tropics. 

It is grown from approximately 17°N to 16°S of the equator. It is most productive on deep well 

drained soils in the tropics below 800 m altitude and with a well distributed rainfall of 2000- 

5000 mm per year and a temperature above 24°C. It suits hardiness zones 11-12. 

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seeds or suckers. Normally only 4 suckers per plant are 

kept and others removed. Before taking the suckers it is best to partly cut them off and allow 

roots to develop more strongly. A spacing of 5-6 m apart is suitable. Under subsistence 

conditions palms are often widely spaced but for intensive agriculture it is planted at 400-500 

plants/ha for fruit and 3000 to 20 000 plants for heart-of-palm. Plants are pollinated by insects 

but can be pollinated by wind. Small beetles are attracted to the flower and pollinate the plant in 

Central America. 

Production: Seeds normally germinate in 30-90 days under normal conditions. Palms grow 

rapidly under the best conditions. Palms commence bearing after 5-8 years and may produce for 

70-80 years. Fruit is produced in large clusters of 50-100 fruit. Four or five clusters are 

produced per year. Fruiting is seasonal. Fruit takes 6 months to mature and keeps well on the 

tree. The number of mature fruits per inflorescence (commonly referred to as raceme or bunch) 

varies from 0 to 764, with total fruit weight 0-20 kg. 

Use: The fruit are used cooked or in preserves. The fruit is also dried and ground into flour. 

The flesh of the fruit is eaten raw. 

The fruit is boiled in salt water for 3 hours, the seeds removed then eaten. 

The kernel of the seeds is also edible. 





Fruit 50.5 820 0.5 1.5 280 35 

Zinc 

mg

Kernel 

Cabbage 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

179 

Importance: It has been introduced to Papua New Guinea. An important food in South 

America. In Papua New Guinea it occurs mostly only on research farms and knowledge of how 

to use the food is lacking.

180 

Names 

English: Wine palm, Palmyra Palm Scientific name: Borassus flabellifer L. 



Description: A small evergreen palm. It grows to 10- 

20 m tall. It can be 40 m high. It spreads to 5 m 

across. The stem is stout and it may be 1 m across. It 

is often swollen at the base. It has a crown of leaves 

shaped like the fingers on a hand or spreading out like a 

fan. There can be 30-40 of the fan like leaves at the 

crown. The leaves are large with short stout leaf stalks. 

There can be 80 slender leaflets which are pointed, 

folded and rich green. Younger trees are covered with 

dead leaves or leaf bases. Leaves can be 1-2 m across. 

The flowers occur in flower stalks up to 1.5 m long. 

The male and female flowers occur in different trees. 

The females spikes are larger and have a boat shaped 

spathe. The fruit are borne in bunches like coconuts. 

The fruit are 10-12.5 cm across and slightly flattened at 

the ends. They have dark purple skin. Green bracts 

occur at the base. Each fruit has 3 seeds. The flesh 

resembles the flesh of a coconut. 

Distribution: It prefers a well drained soil. It needs a protected sunny position. It is drought 

and frost tender. Seed need to have a temperature of 24-29°C to grow. Trees need a temperature 

above 15-18°C. It does better in the drier tropics than in the humid tropics. Trees are very 

sensitive to cold. It suits hardiness zones 11-12. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. Seed take 2-6 months to germinate. Seedlings are 

difficult to transplant so seed should be sown where they are to grow. To extract the sap, male 

flower stalks give more sap than female. The unopened flower stalk is tied with a string then 

banged with a mallet for short times over 3 days before the end being sliced off and the sap 

collected. A small slither is cut off the end each day to keep the sap flowing. 

Production: One flower stalk can yield 2 litres per day of sap. Tapping normally begins when a 

palm is 20 years old but then may continue for 30 years. 

Use: The flesh and the water of the fruit are edible. They can be eaten fresh or made into icecream. 

Edible starch can be extracted from the stem. The palm heart is edible. 

The palm can be tapped for sugary sap. This can be drunk, boiled and concentrated or fermented. 

The seeds are germinated and the young shoots eaten. 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Fruit 

Cabbage 

Sap 

Seeds 


Importance: In some countries the fruit are sold in markets. It is not known if it is used for food 

in Papua New Guinea. The young seeds are preserved in heavy sugar syrup and sold in jars or 

cans. 

Zinc 

mg

181 

Names 

English: Palmyra like palm Scientific name: Borassus heineana Becc. 



Description: A large palm which has separate male and 

female trees. The fruit is in 3 sections. 

Distribution: It occurs in Papua New Guinea in groves 

in headlands projecting into the Sepik River and also 

occurs along the Sepik plain. 

Cultivation: It grows from seed. 

Production: Fruit get too dry when old, so are eaten when young. 

Use: The young fruit are eaten. 


Edible 

part 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

182 

Names 

English: Papuan white rattan Scientific name: Calamus hollrungii Becc. 



Description: A vigorous climbing palm 10-15 m tall. 

The stems are 2.5 cm wide. It can be 26 m long. It 

produces side roots at the nodes and can have stilt roots 

at the base. The stalk usually ends with a tendril like 

structure up to 1 m long. The fronds are 3-4 m long 

and usually without a leaf stalk. The sheath around the 

stem is armed with spines up to 4 cm long. The leaflets 

are 20-40 in number and are broad, long, smooth and 

dark green. They are 25 cm long. They have small 

spines along the main veins towards the base of the 

leaflet. The flower branch is a large hanging branched 

flower stalk. The fruit are 0.8-1.2 cm across and cream 

in colour. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. It is very frost sensitive. 

It is mostly found growing in lowland rainforest. It 

needs a shady position and well-drained soil. It is often 

along stream banks. 

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed. Seed germinate in 3-4 months. Seed should be 

sown fresh. 

Production: 

Use: Unknown what part is edible. Possibly flesh of fruit. 


Edible 

part 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

183 

Names 

English: Fishtail palm Scientific name: Caryota rumphiana var. papuana Becc. 



Description: A spineless palm with delta shaped 

leaflets. It grows to a height of 18 m and spreads to 5 

m across. The stem is slender and erect. The leaflets 

are bipinnate (Two branches on the leaves) and the 

whole leaf is up to 5-6 m long and 3-4 m wide. The 

leaves have irregular teeth on the edges towards the top. 

The leaves arch over. The flowers are purple and 

yellow-green. They occur on long spikes. These can 

be 3 m long. These fruiting stalks are stout. Long 

chains of fruit hang from near the leaves along this 

stalk. The fruit are bluish. The fruit irritate the skin of 

people. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. The palm is common 

and widespread at low elevations in Papua New 

Guinea. It grows up to at least 1200 m altitude. It will 

grow on most soils. It needs a protected, warm, moist 

position. It is sensitive to frost. It suits hardiness zones 

10-12. 

Cultivation: It grows wild. It can be grown from seeds. Seed need to be sown while fresh. 

Seed can take 6-12 months to germinate. 

Production: 

Use: The pith of the young trunk is eaten (Heart cabbage) 

The trunk is sometimes used to pound for sago starch. 

The trunk is also used to cultivate sago grubs. 

Caution: The juice of the fruit can irritate the skin. 


Edible part Moisture Energy Protein 

Cabbage 

Starch 

Sago grubs 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: A common palm in lowland areas of Papua New Guinea but only of minor 

importance as a food. It has cultural significance in some areas e.g. Kaluli near Mt Bosavi. 

Zinc 

mg

184 

Names 

English: Corypha palm Scientific name: Corypha utan Lam. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Corypha elata Roxb. 


Description: The largest and most stately member of 

the palm family. It is tall and single stemmed. It grows 

to 20 m high. The trunk can be 1 m across. The bark is 

smooth, grey, and has rings around it. The leaves are 

very large and fan shaped. The leaves are rounded, and 

the blade can up to 3 m long by 3 m across. The leaf is 

deeply divided from about half way up, into many 

pointed lobes. The leaf stalk is 2-4 m long. The leaf 

stalks and leaf edges are armed with very hard, large, 

black spines. The flowers are small and cream-green. 

They are about 5-8 mm across. They occur in groups 

of 6-20, in flower clusters 2-5 m long near the top of 

the palm. The fruit are smooth and almost round. They 

are 2-3 cm across. They are green, and turn brown 

when ripe. The fruit contain a single, hard-shelled, 

seed. The palm flowers once, then dies. 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant. It grows along the edges of tidal rivers. They are often on 

heavy soils on flood plains which flood. It grows best with access to ground water. They are 

very common and widely distributed at low and medium altitudes from northern Luzon to Sulu 

in the Philippines. It is frost tender when young. It needs a warm sunny position and a well 

drained soil. It suits hardiness zones 11-12. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. Seed can take 18 months to germinate. Fresh seed 

germinate more quickly. Seedlings are difficult to transplant. 

Production: Seedlings are very slow growing. After 40-50 years it flowers, then the leaves and 

palm die. 

Use: The starch extracted from the stem is edible. 

The palm cabbage or bud can be eaten raw or cooked. 

The sap can be collected from the flower stalk and made into sugar or toddy. 

The kernels of the young fruit can be eaten raw. 


Edible 

part 

Starch 

Cabbage 

Kernels 

Sap 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

185 

Names 

English: Oil palm Scientific name: Elaeis guineensis Jacq. 



Description: An unbranched palm with a stout erect 

stem. The stem is rough due to the leaf bases which 

remain attached. It grows to 20-30 m tall. The trunk is 

about 75 cm across. The crown consists of about 40 

open leaves. These hang downwards. The leaves 

develop from the bud as a tightly rolled shoot which 

later opens. The palm crown spreads 5-9 m across. 

Casual roots grow from the lower 1 m of the base of the 

trunk. Many roots also grow just under the soil and 

spread out for 20 m around the palm. The leaves are 

about 7.5 m long. The leaves have spines along the leaf 

stalk. These leaves are made up of many leaflets (100- 

160 pairs). These are slender, long and thin and rich 

green. These are held at different levels along the 

midrib (Almost two rows). The flowers are of one sex 

only. The male flowers occur with a spiny tip. The 

female flowers are on long stalks. They are 30-45 cm 

long. The fruit is a large round bunch of small fruits. 

These are 4 cm long by 2 cm across. There can be 200 

fruit in a bunch. 

Distribution: They are tropical plants. They need a temperature above 18°C. They suit the hot 

humid tropics. They grow between 16°N and 15°S in Africa. These palms do well in rich moist 

soil. A rainfall above 2,000 mm is needed for good production. They need a sunny position. 

They are drought and frost tender. Plantations are established in West New Britain in Papua 

New Guinea and palms occur in some other areas of the country. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. 

Cultivation: They are normally grown from seed in a nursery then transplanted. The seed are 

soaked for 7 days then sown into warm ground. Seeds are slow to germinate. Heat treatment is 

often used to ensure even germination. Seed germinate in 2-5 months under hot conditions. 

Seed are sown in plastic bags and sometimes a second nursery transplant is used before 

eventually planting in the field 1.5 to 2 years later. 

Production: The early growth of seedlings is slow. Palms commence bearing after about 4-6 

years. When mature they produce 2-6 bunches per year. The flower bud does not develop until 

about 9 months after the leaf containing it has opened. Bright sunny weather helps the 

development of female flowers. Male flowers are more common in wet cloudy weather. Fruit 

matures 5-9 months after flowering. A bunch can weigh 18-25 kg. Palms live for many years. 

Individual trees can live for 200 years. 

Use: The outer layer of the fruits yields an orange cooking oil. 

The kernel also produces oil. 


The sap tapped from the male flower is used to make wine. 

The oily fruit are sometimes eaten but can cause nausea.

186 




Seeds 

Cabbage 

Sap 

28.0 2247 1.6 4.0 18 9 

Insects: 

Oryctes spp. Scarabaeidae (COL) Rhinoceros beetle 

Segetes gracilis Tettigoniidae (ORTH) Coconut tree hoppers 

And several others. 

Diseases: 

Black leaf mould Fungus Brooksia tropicalis Hansf. 

Pests: 

Importance: A major cash crop but also significant as a food by farmers in many areas. 

Zinc 

mg

187 

Names 

English: Palm cabbage Scientific name: Gronophyllum chaunostachys (Burret) H.E. 

Moore 



Description: A solitary palm. It is tall. It grows 20 m 

high. The trunk is slender, ringed and grey. The trunk 

can be 20-39 cm across. It has a long crownshaft. This 

can be 1-1.3 m long. The crownshaft is covered with 

woolly brown hairs. The crownshaft is slightly thicker 

than the trunk at its base and tapers upwards. The 

fronds arch over. The leaves are 2.6-3 m long with a 

12-25 cm long stalk. The leaves have leaflets along the 

stalk. The leaflets are 50 cm long and deep green. 

These can be erect and spreading forming a V shape. 

The leaflets are slender. The flowering stalk arises 

below the crownshaft. The fruit are small and bright 

red. They occur in dense clusters. These clusters are 

about 1 m long. Each fruit contains a single seed. 

Distribution: It grows in the highlands of Papua New 

Guinea. It suits tropical and subtropical regions. It 

grows between 1760-2170 m altitude. 

Cultivation: Plants are mostly selfsown. 

Production: 

Use: The growing tip or palm cabbage is eaten. 



part 

Cabbage 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

188 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Gulubia cylindrocarpa 


Tok ples: Niniu Plant family: Arecaceae 

Description: A tall palm. It grows 35 m high. The 

trunk is less than 25 cm across. The trunk is light grey 

to white. It has closely spaced rings of leaf scars. The 

trunk is expanded at the base. The crownshaft is 1 m 

long and light or silvery green. It is slightly bulged at 

the base. The leaf crown is rounded with 15-18 leaves. 

The leaves are 2.3 m long with 25 cm long stalks. The 

leaves arch over and curve back at the tips. The leaflets 

are 1 m long and narrowly sword shaped. They are 

olive green above and greyish-green underneath. They 

are stiff and divide at the tips. They grow at an angle 

forming a V shape. The fruit are 2 cm long by 0.7-0.8 

cm wide. They are orange or yellow. 

Distribution: It grows in mountainous rainforest. It 

grows between 100-1,060 m altitude. 

Cultivation: 

Production: 

Use: The fruit is eaten. 

The palm heart is eaten. 



part 

Fruit 

Cabbage 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Importance: The fruit are eaten especially by children. 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

189 

Names 

English: Minor Walking-stick Palm Scientific name: Linospadix minor (F. Muell.) Burrett 



Description: An evergreen palm. It forms clumps by 

suckering. It grows to 2 m high and spreads to 2 m 

across. The stems are erect, woody and slender. It has 

a sparse crown of short fronds. The leaves are 60-100 

cm long and consist of pairs of leaflets of unequal size. 

There are 12-14 leaflets. The end pair of leaflets are 

fish-tail like. The flowers are greenish and hang down 

on long spikes. The fruit are orange, pink or red 

berries. They occur on long spikes which can be 20-40 

cm long. The fruit are 12-18 mm long. The fruit are 

yellow, pink or red. They have one seed inside. The 

seed is 1-1.6 cm long. The flesh of the fruit is edible. 

Distribution: A tropical palm. It grows naturally in the 

rainforest. It suits a shady position. They need a wellaerated 

loamy soil. It benefits from mulch and regular 

watering. 

Cultivation: The plants are grown from seed. Seed should be sown fresh. Seed germinate 

slowly. They can be grown by division of the clump. Seedlings transplant easily. 

Production: In Australia, flowering occurs August to October and the fruiting season is 

December to July. 

Use: The fruit have a thin layer of edible flesh. 



part 

Fruit 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

190 

Names 

English: Fan palm Scientific name: Livistona benthamii Bailey 



Description: An evergreen palm. It grows to 15 m 

high and spreads to 3 m across. The stem is erect and 

heavily armed with spines. The trunk is 30-40 cm 

across. The trunk is grey to black. It has a single stem 

and fan leaves. It has a densely leafy crown which is 

rounded and drooping. The leaves are 1-1.5 m long and 

1-1.5 m across. They are shiny and dark green. Leaves 

are divided into narrow segments with strong thorny 

leaf stalks. The leaf stalks are 1.5 m long. The leaf 

bases are persistent on the trunk. The flowers are 

cream or yellow in elongated heads. The flowers are 1- 

1.2 cm across and the heads can be 2.5 m long. The 

fruit are berries. They are 1 cm across. They are 

purple black when ripe. They have a powdery 

covering. They contain a single hard shelled seed. 

Distribution: A tropical palm. It does best on light to 

medium soils. It needs moist soils and a protected 

partly shaded position. It is damaged by drought and 

frost. It grows naturally on monsoon forest often near 

streams. It can stand seasonal flooding. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. The seed need to be planted fresh. Seed germinate in 

3-4 months. Seedlings are difficult to transplant. 

Production: 

Use: The central growing tip is eaten raw or lightly roasted. 


Edible 

part 

Cabbage 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

191 

Names 

English: Dwarf Fan Palm Scientific name: Livistona muelleri Bailey 



Description: A fan palm. It is a sturdy palm. It grows 

to 12-20 m high. It is often smaller. The trunk is 25 

cm across. The trunk has rings of old leaf base scars. 

The crown is dense. The leaves are stiff and dark 

green. The leaf stalks are 1 m long. The leaves are 

circular and flat. The flowers are dull yellow on a 

dense flower arrangement that is in the centre of the 

crown. The fruit are oval and 1.5 cm long. They are 

deep brown to black. 

Distribution: It grows naturally in open forest in NE 

Queensland in Australia. It suits tropical and 

subtropical locations. It requires an open position and 

well drained soil. It grows in monsoonal savanna. It 


Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. Seed take 4-8 months to germinate. 

Production: It is very slow growing. 

Use: The growing tip or palm cabbage is eaten. 


Edible 

part 

Cabbage 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

192 

Names 

English: Black Palm Scientific name: Normanbya normanbyi (W.Hill.) I.H.Bailey 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Ptychosperma normanbyi 


Description: A tall solitary palm. It grows about 20 m 

high. The trunk is light grey and 10-15 cm across. It 

has distinct rings. The crownshaft is mealy white. The 

crown is round and made up of 9-12 arching fronds. It 

is a feather leafed palm with leaflets in a radiating 

arrangement. The leaves are 2-2.5 cm long. The 

leaflets are dark green above and white underneath. 

The leaflets are wedge shaped. The flowering stalk 

arises below the crownshaft. They are 50 cm long. 

Flowers are of one sex but both sexes occur on the one 

stalk. Single plants can produce fertile seed. The fruit 

are 4-5 cm long by 3 cm across. The fruit are deep pink 

to red. Each fruit contains one seed. 

Distribution: They grow in tropical and subtropical 

locations. It grows naturally in rainforests often near 

swamps in NE Queensland. It needs warm, humid 

conditions. Plants are damaged by frosts. They are 

sensitive to sunburn from the first 3-5 years. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. Seeds germinate sporadically. Seeds take 2-3 months 

to germinate with some taking 12 months. Seedlings transplant easily. 

Production: It grows quickly. 

Use: The growing point of palm cabbage is eaten. 


Edible 

part 

Cabbage 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

193 

Names 

English: Date palm Scientific name: Phoenix dactylifera L. 



Description: A tall unbranched evergreen palm. It 

grows to 30 m high. The trunk can be 30-40 cm across. 

The trunk is covered with fibres and has the bases of 

old leaves along it. It produces suckers on the trunk 

and at the base. The fronds are grey-green. The leaves 

are 6-7 m long. The leaflets are 20-40 cm long. They 

are spaced in two iregular rows along each side of the 

stalk. Male and female flowers are produced on 

separate trees. The flowers spadices ar yellow-brown. 

The fruit is small, brown and very sweet. It has one 

grooved seed. The fruit is 2.5-5 cm long. When ripe 

the fruit is dull yellow and the flesh soft. The skins of 

the fruit darken when dried. Strands of fruit have 25-35 

dates. The fruit are edible. 

Distribution: They suit dry subtropical climates. It 

needs hot, dry arid climates while fruit mature. It can 

tolerate salty or brackish water. In cold temperate 

regions the palm grows but rarely flowers. It suits plant 


Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. Seed take 4-5 months to germinate. They begin 

bearing 5-6 years after planting and reach full production by 15 years. A palm lasts about 80 

years. Female plants need to be pollinated before they bear fruit. A single male is sufficient for 

50 females. Taking suckers from good producing plants is a more reliable means or growing 

new plants. 

Production: There can be 45-70 kg of fruit per tree. 

Use: The fruit is eaten fresh or dried. They are also used for jams and preserves. 

The date stones can be fermented or roasted and used as a coffee substitute. 

Dates are also pressed for juice. 

The sap is used for jaggery and sugar. 




Fruit 58.5 598 0.9 1.3 50 6 

Fruit 

dry 

22.5 1151 2.0 1.2 5 0 0.3 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: A major food in Mediterranean countries. Probably only a casual introduction in 

Papua New Guinea.

194 

Names 

English: Solitaire palm, Alexander Palm Scientific name: Ptychosperma elegans (R.Br.)Bl. 



Description: A palm which grows to 10 m high. The 

trunk is slender and grey. The trunk has rings along it. 

The crownshaft is whitish-green. The leaves are bright 

green and arching. The leaves are compound. They are 

1-2.5 m long. There are 40-60 leaflets which are 50-60 

cm long. They are smooth. The fruit is 15-20 mm 

long. They occur in bunches below the crownshaft. 

The fruit are bright red. There is one seed which is 

about 15 mm long. The flesh of the fruit is edible. 

Distribution: It grows in the rainforest in NE 

Queensland, in Australia. It is a tropical plant. They 

will grow in the subtropics. It needs well drained soil. 

It can grow in part shade or full sun. It suits seasonally 

moist and dry climates. They are sensitive to frost. It 

suits plant hardiness zones 10-11. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. Seed is produced in large quantities and grows 

readily. Seed germinate in 5-6 months. They need protection from direct sunlight for the first 2- 

4 years. Seedlings transplant easily. 

Production: They can be very fast growing. It flowers in warm, wet months. 

Use: The fruit and the palm heart of cabbage are edible. 



part 

Cabbage 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

195 

Names 

English: Grey Cane palm Scientific name: Ptychosperma macarthurii 

(H.Wendl.ex Veitch)H.Wendl. ex Hook.f. 



Description: An evergreen palm. It grows to 3-10 m 

high and spreads to 2-4 m across. The stems are erect, 

slender and form clumps. They have rings of scars on 

the trunk. The leaves are dark green and divided along 

the stalk. They are 1-1.5 m long. They are feather like. 

The leaves arch in a loose crown. The leaflets are 

narrow, bright green and with ragged teeth near the 

tips. The flowers are in branching sprays 30-45 cm 

long. These come from below the crownshaft. The 

flowers are greenish-yellow and 8 mm across. The fruit 

are bright red berries. They are 1.5 cm across. They 

are waxy. The fruit contains a seed which has 5 ridges 

along its length. 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant. It does best in 

moist, well-composted, well-drained soils. It needs a 

protected, partly shaded position. It is damaged by 

drought and frost. It needs a temperature above 16°C. 

In full sunlight the fronds can become bleached. It 


Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. Seed germinate in 2-3 months. It planted fresh in 

moist peat and with warmth and humidity seed germinate easily and wuickly. Plants can also be 

grown by division of the clump. 

Production: In Australia, flowering is from August to October. 

Use: The growing point or palm cabbage is edible. 


Edible 

part 

Cabbage 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

196 

Names 

English: Traveller's palm Scientific name: Ravenala madagascariensis Sonn 


Tok ples: Plant family: Strelitziaceae 

Description: Although called a palm, it is not a palm. 

It is an evergreen shrub. It grows to 10-16 m high and 

spreads to 3-6 m across. The stem is erect, formed by 

the bases of the old leaves. It is palm like. The leaves 

are arranged in 2 opposite rows on long leaf stalks 

which form sheaths around the stem. They are 5 m 

long, are closely overlapping and open like fans. They 

are paddle shaped. The flowers are white and have 3 

petals. They occur in long spikes and have boat shaped 

bracts in the axils. The fruit capsules contain seeds 

with a bright blue seed covering (aril). The seeds are 

edible. 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant. It does best in rich, 

moist soil. It needs a protected, sunny, warm position. 

It is damaged by drought and frost. It grows from sea 

level to 1,000 m altitude in Madagascar. It needs a 

temperature above 16-18°C. It suits hardiness zones 

10-12. 

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed or by division of suckers. Seeds grow slowly. 

Production: 

Use: The fat found in the seeds is used in cooking. 

Sugar is extracted from the sap. 

The seeds are eaten. 


Edible 

part 

Seeds 

Sap 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: It has been introduced as an ornamental and is probably not used for food in Papua 

New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

197 

Names 

English: Cuban royal palm Scientific name: Roystonea regia (Knuth) O.F.Cook 



Description: An single stemmed, evergreen palm. It 

grows to 30 m high and spreads 5-10 m wide. The 

stem is erect and smooth. It is white. It is stout and 

unbranched. The trunk is usually thickened near the 

base and in the middle before thinning towards the top. 

The trunk can be 0.5-0.6 m across. It has ring like 

markings. The leaves are divided along the stalk. The 

leaves are 6 m long and the leaflets are long and 

narrow. They are arranged in several ranks. The base 

sheaths the trunk below the crown. The flowers are 

small and white and cup-shaped. They are clustered in 

spikes which hang downwards. These stalks can be 1 

m long. These come from just below the crown shaft. 

The flowers occur in 3-4 clusters with 2 boat shaped 

spathes. The male cluster is longer than the female. 

The fruit are round berries which are deep purple in 

colour. 

Distribution: It suits tropical and subtropical 

conditions. It does best with warmth and humidity. 

It does best with rich, moist soil. The soil needs to be well drained. It needs a protected, sunny 

position. It is damaged by drought and frost. They need temperatures above 15°C. In Cuba it 

grows on fertile soils up to 1000 m altitude. It suits plant hardiness zones 10-12. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. Seed should be sown at 27°C. Plants respond to 

heavy fertiliser application especially nitrogen. 

Production: 

Use: The central bud or cabbage is edible. 



part 

Cabbage 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: A magnificent introduced palm. It would not be sensible to cut down the palm to 

eat the growing tip! 

Zinc 

mg

198 

Names 

English: Claudie River Lawyer Vine Scientific name: Calamus warburgii Schumann. 



Description: A climbing palm with many thorns. It 

forms large clumps. The stems are 35 m long and 2.5 

cm wide. The leaves are 2.6 m long. The leaves climb 

upwards but arch over. The leaves have 80-100 shinygreen 

leaflets. The leaflets are 25 cm long and 2 cm 

wide. The leaf sheath has spines about 5 cm long. The 

leaflets are limp and regularly spaced. They taper 

towards the tip. There are 4 m long stalks at the ends of 

many leaves which helps the plant climb. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. It is very frost sensitive. 

They need a well-drained soil. Seedlings need to be in 

the shade. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. The seed germinate in 3-4 months. Seed need to be 

sown fresh. Seedlings are difficult to transplant. 

Production: 

Use: The green juicy flesh layer under the skin but around the seed is eaten raw. 


Edible 

part 

Fruit 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

199

Vegetables 

200 


Long pitpit Pitpit Saccharum edule 201 

Short pitpit Pitpit Setaria palmifolia 203 

Corn Kon Zea mays 205 

Snake gourd Trichosanthes cucumerina 208 

Trichosanthes pulleana 209 

Trichosanthes tricuspidata 210 

Choko Sechium edule 211 

Pumpkin Pamkin Cucurbita moschata 213 

Pumpkin Pamkin Cucurbita maxima 214 

Cucumber Kukamba Cucumis sativus 216 

Marrow Cucurbita pepo 218 

Melon, Cantaloupe Cucumis melo 219 

Bottle gourd Botel Lagenaria siceraria 220 

Angled loofah Luffa acutangula 221 

Smooth loofah Luffa cylindrica 222 

Wax gourd Benincasa hispida 223 

Bitter gourd Momordica charantia 224 

Spiny bitter cucumber Momordica cochinchinensis 226 

Cabbage Kebis Brassica oleracea var. capitata 227 

Bok-choy Celery cabbage Brassica rapa var. chinensis 228 

Brussels sprouts Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera 229 

Kohl Rabi Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes 230 

Cauliflower Brassica oleracea var. botrytis 231 

Broccoli Brassica oleracea var. italica 232 

Turnip Brassica rapa 233 

Chinese kale Brassica oleracea var. albiflora 234 

Swede Brassica napus var. napobrassica 235 

Petsai Brassica rapa var. glabra 236 

Leaf mustard Brassica juncea 237 

Chinese radish Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus 238 

Radish Raphanus sativus 239 

Bulb onion Anian Allium cepa var. cepa 240 

Shallots Allium cepa var. aggregatum 241 

Chives Allium schoenoprasum 242 

Garlic Allium sativum 243 

Leek Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum 244 

Chinese chives Allium tuberosum 245 

Celery Apium graveolens var dulce 246 

Okra Abelmoschus esculentus 247 

Asparagus Asparagus officinalis 248 

Capsicum, Bell peppers Capsicum annuum var. annuum 249 

Eggplant Solanum melongena 251 

Pea eggplant Solanum torvum 252 

Tomato Lycopersicon esculentum 253 

Carrot Daucus carota 255 

Lettuce Lactuca sativa 256

201 

Names 

English: Long pitpit Scientific name: Saccharum edule Hasskarl 


Tok ples: Plant family: Poaceae 

Description: A plant in the sugarcane family grown for 

the edible unopened flower. Plants grow 2-3 m tall and 

have thinner canes than sugarcane. It produces suckers 

near the base so that normally a clump of stalks is 

produced. At one season of the year it produces a seed 

head or flower which remains inside the top of the plant 

and is the part that is eaten. Several cultivars occur 

which differ in colour, height and season of flowering. 

Distribution: It is common in coastal areas and will 

grow up to about 1800 m altitude in the tropics. It is 

commonly grown in old gardens before they return to 

forest. It is common in coastal areas in Asian and 

Pacific countries including the Solomon Islands, 

Vanuatu, and Fiji and also in Indonesia. 

Cultivation: It is grown from cuttings of the stalks. In 

fertile soil, cut plants will re-shoot from the base. The 

cuttings need adequate moisture at planting. Cuttings 

about 30 cm long are used. To avoid cuttings drying 

out they need to be planted soon after cutting. Coastal 

pitpit stalks can be planted at any time of the year. It 

takes 6-9 months from planting till a crop is ready to 

harvest. But the time of flowering is coastal pitpit is 

controlled by the sun. Early in the year about February 

to March most plants develop a thickened clump of 

leaves at the top. When these are broken off and 

opened by removing the outside leaves the very fine 

yellow unopened flower is seen. It is this flower which 

is eaten. 

Production: It takes 6-9 months to maturity. In most cultivars, flowering is seasonal. 

Use: The unopened flower is eaten raw or cooked. Often it is cooked in coconut milk. 


Edible 

part 

Flower 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

Insects: 

Acauloplacella immunis Tettigonidae (ORTH) 

Agromyza papuensis Agromyzidae (DIPT) 

Anomala anoguttata Burm. Rutelidae (COL) 

Ataenius spinator Harold Scarabaeidae (COL) 

Aulacaspis tegalensis (Zhnt.) Diaspididae (HEM) Sugarcane scale 

Bothrogonia sp. Cicadellidae (HEM) 

Cannococcus ikshu William Pseudococcidae (HEM) 

Euconocephalus sp. Tettigoniidae (ORTH) 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

202 

Parastasia guttulata Fairmaire Scarabaeidae (COL) 

Saccharicoccus sacchari (Cockerell) Pseudococcidae (HEM) Pink sugarcane mealybug 

Spodoptera exempta (Walker) Noctuidae (LEP) African armyworm 

and probably other sugarcane insects 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungus Beniowskia spaeroides 

Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora longipes 

Leaf blight Fungus Colletotrichum falcatum 

Leaf spot Fungus Cytoplea sp. 

Leaf spot Fungus Diplodia sp. 

Veneer blotch Fungus Deightoniella papuana D.Shaw 

Leaf spot Fungus Drechslera sacchari 

Pokkah boeng Fungus Gibberella fujikuroi 

Red rot Fungus Glomerella tucumanensis (Speg)Ark & Mull. 

Yellow spot Fungus Mycovellosiella koepkei 

Tar spot Fungus Phyllachora sacchari P.Henn 

Downy mildew Fungus Peronosclerospora sp. 

Rust Fungus Puccinia kuehnii (Kruger)Butler 

Fiji disease Virus 

Mosaic Virus 

Pests: 

Importance: A very important vegetable in Papua New Guinea and grown in most lowland 

areas and up to 1600 m.

203 

Names 

English: Short pitpit Scientific name: Setaria palmifolia (Koenig)Stapf. 



Description: A grass with a broad leaf 

blade. A plant grows from 60 cm to one 

metre tall. It has a knotty rhizome or 

underground stem. The leaves are 2 to 8 

cm wide, 30-40 cm long and folded 

along their length. The leaf blade is 

folded like a fan and is hairy. The plant 

forms a clump of shoots and is about 1 m 

high. The shoots are thickened near the 

end in cultivated types. The flower is a 

loose open grass flower. A range of 

different varieties occur. These have 

different amounts of red, green and 

white colouring on the leaf and also 

where the leaves wrap around the stem. 

The seeds are about 3 mm long and 

borne in large numbers on shoots at the 

ends of the stalks. Normally a plant 

produces a clump of shoots due to both 

suckers near the base and buds growing 

from the side of the short stem. 

Distribution: They are common and widely distributed from Luzon to Palawan and Mindanao in 

the Philippines. It grows from near sea level up to about 2400 m. It can grow in shady places 

and suits wet climates. This grass occurs as a wild plant, insignificantly used for food in several 

countries. These include Taiwan, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, 

Solomons, and Hawaii. Sometimes either the shoots or seeds of this wild plant are used as a 

famine food reserve. In Papua New Guinea, and to a smaller extent in other places, this species 

reaches significance as a domesticated, cultivated food plant. A number of named cultivars 

occur. 

Cultivation: Wild plants grow from seed. Garden types grow from pieces of the shoots. 

Plants are normally propagated by planting shoots. The young shoots are broken off the side of 

the plant. Shoots near the ground often have roots already growing on them so these shoots start 

growing more quickly. Portions of the stem can be planted because buds near the joints along 

the stem can produce new shoots. Wild plants are seed propagated. Cultivated types exist as 

fully domesticated plants independently of the weedy grass. It needs a reasonably fertile soil and 

is often planted on steep sides and edges of gardens. Its optimum altitudinal range is 1200m to 

2400m. It can tolerate light shade. Plant spacings of about 1 m apart are used. Harvesting 

commences about 5 months after planting and may continue for up to 2 years. 

Production: Harvesting commences about 5 months after planting and may continue for up to 2 

years. A yield of 4.8 kg per plant in a year, of the stripped edible shoots has been recorded. 

Use: The fattened shoots are eaten. 

The seeds are used as a substitute for rice in times of shortage.


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Shoots 113 0.5 

Insects: 

Borers in the shoots 

204 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungus Bipolaris panici-miliacei (Nisik.)Shoem 

Rust Fungi Uredo palmifoliae Cummins 

And Uromyces setariae-italicae Yosh 

Tar spot Fungus Phyllachora minutissima (Welv.& Currey) 

Pests: 

Importance: An important vegetable in Highland areas of Papua New Guinea. It is used for 

food in China. 

A market bundle 

Zinc 

mg

205 

Names 

English: Corn, Maize Scientific name: Zea mays L. 

Tok pisin: Kon Synonyms: 


Description: An annual plant 2-3 m high. It has a 

single stem. The stem is solid. It can be 2-3 cm across. 

Usually there are 14 internodes but this can vary from 

8-21. It is a large grass family plant with prop roots 

near the base. Some forms produce tillers near the 

base. Seed roots feed the plant initially then casual side 

roots develop from the lowest node on the plant and 

continue supplying the plants nutrients. Roots can go 

sideways for 1 m or downwards for 2-3 m. It is a very 

variable plant and due to cross pollination variation 

continues and all forms hybridize. Leaves are produce 

one after another along opposite sides of the stem and 

there are between 8 and 21 leaves. The leaf sheath 

wrapsa round the stem but opens towards the top of the 

sheath. The leaf blade is 30-150 cm long and 5-15 cm 

wide. The leaf blade has a pronounced midrib and is 

often wavy along the edge. The female flower is called 

the ear. It is on a short stalk in the axils of one of the 

largest leaves about half way down the stem. In the 

axils of the leaves it produces a large cob wrapped in 

leaves. The kernels develop in an even number of rows 

carrying 4-30 grains along the length of the cob. Cobs 

commonly have 300-1,000 grains. Normally only one 

or two cobs develop per plant. The male flower or 

tassel is at the top. 

Distribution: Seeds need a soil temperature more than 10°C to germinate. It grows best at less 

than 1800 m altitude in the equatorial tropics. It is grown in most areas of Asia. Plants have 

been grown from sea level to 3,300 m in the Americas. It tends to be in areas too dry for rice but 

wetter than for millets. Maize must have over 120 days frost free. In Nepal it grows up to 3000 


Cultivation: It is grown from seeds. It is normal to plant one seed per hole at 1-2 cm depth. A 

spacing of about 30 cm between plants is suitable. For saving seed, it should be from gardens of 

over 200 plants and the seed from several cobs mixed to avoid inbreeding depression. 

Production: In warm moist soil seeds geminate in 2-3 days after planting. Cobs are harvested 

when the grains are full and the tassel is just starting to turn brown. This is normally about 50 

days after fertilization. It is sweetest eaten soon after harvesting. Drought and unfavourable 

weather can result in the silks of the female flowers emerging after the pollen has been shed. 

This results in poorly pollinated cobs. 

Use: The cobs are eaten cooked. 

The dried grains can be crushed and used. 

Pancake like Tortillas from corn have been a staple food in Central America. 

Maize is cooked and prepared in many different ways.

206 


Edible part Moisture Energy Protein Calcium Iron proVit A proVit C 

% KJ g mg mg µg mg 

Seeds mature 10.4 1528 10.0 4.9 100 4 

Insects: 

Creatonotus gangis (L.) Arctidae (LEP) 

Heliothis armiger (Hubner) Noctuidae (LEP) Corn earworm 


Orthaca cincticornis Walk. Lygaeidae (HEM) 

Ostrinia furnacalis (Guen.) Pyralidae (LEP) Corn borer 

Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch) Aphididae (HEM) Corn leaf aphid 

Spodoptera mauritia (Boisduval) Noctuidae (LEP) Lawn armyworm 


and others 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungus Bipolaris zeae 

Leaf spot Fungus Curvularia lunata 

Tropical rust Fungus Puccinia polysora Underw. 

Rust Fungus Puccinia sorghi Sehw. 

Downy mildew Fungi Peronosclerospora sacchari 

and Peronosclerospora sorghi 

Leaf spot Fungus Phoma sorghina 

Leaf blotch Fungus Setosphaerica turcica (Luttrell)Leon. & Sugg 

Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora sorghi Ell.& Ev. 

Leaf blight Fungus Cochliobolus heterostrophus 

Blister smut Fungus Ustilago zeae 

Head smut Fungus Sphacelotheca reiliana 

Irregular bleached areas Fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris 

Collar rot Fungus Pythium butleri 

Pests: 

Importance: Common in most areas of Papua New Guinea but never as a staple food. It is a 

major staple food of Central and East Africa. 

Zinc 

mg

207

208 

Names 

English: Snake gourd Scientific name: Trichosanthes cucumerina L. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Trichosanthes anguina L. 

Tok ples: Plant family: Cucurbitaceae 

Description: A climber in the pumpkin family with tendrils. 

It grows 2.4-6 m high and spreads 1.5-3 m wide. The vine 

has furrows along it. The leaves have 3 to 7 lobes and a 

tooth like edge. The flowers are white. The male flowers 

are without a bract and the female flowers are produced 

singly. The flowers have long stalks. The long fruit tend to 

curve. They can be 1-2 m long. When ripe they turn 

orange or red, but are grey and green when young. 

Distribution: It is common in the humid tropical lowlands 

up to 500 m. It does not tolerate dry soil and requires a 

good moisture reserve in the soil, but is sensitive to 

waterlogging. The optimum temperature for growth is 30- 

35°C with a minimum of 20°C. It occurs throughout the 

Philippines at low and medium altitudes up to 1200 m. It 


Cultivation: Snake gourd is grown from seed. It requires 4-6 kg/ha. Seed can be sown in a 

nursery and transplanted at the 2 true leaf stage. More commonly plants are sown where they are 

to grow. A spacing of 60 - 100 cm is suitable. Plants need supports to climb. Often in home 

gardens this is a natural support such as a house. Plants respond to fertiliser but excessive 

nitrogen can produce too much vegetative growth. Pruning can improve the female to male 

flower ratio. 

Production: Flowering starts 5 weeks after planting. Male flowers appear first then female 

flowers 3 days later. Pollination is normally by insects. Harvesting of fruit starts 6-7 weeks 

after planting and continues for 1 or 2 months. Fruit are picked 12-20 days after fruit set when 

they are 30-60 cm long. Fruit do not store well but can be stored for 10-14 days at a temperature 

of 16-17°C and relative humidity of 85-90%. By the time the fruit turn orange they are too 

mature to eat. 

Use: The long immature fruit are eaten cooked. Sometimes a bitter taste occurs but this 

disappears with boiling. Fruit are inedible when ripe. 

The young leaves are eaten cooked. 




Seed 97.0 0.2 0.2 0.1 

Fruit 

Leaves 

95.0 76 0.9 1.0 810 6 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Associated with leaf spots Fungus Colletotrichum orbiculare (Berk.& Mont.) v Arx 

Leaf spot Possibly bacteria 

Pests: 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea it is most commonly seen in the Sepik or in gardens of Sepik 

people.

209 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Trichosanthes pulleana Cogn ex Harms 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Trichosanthes papuana Pulle 


Description: A creeping plant in the pumpkin family. 

It has tendrils. The vines can become long and woody. 

It bears green fruit which turn orange when ripe. Inside 

it is filled with seeds in a bright red pulp. Leaf shape 

varies considerably. 

Distribution: It occurs in many areas of the country but 

is probably more common in the highlands. It occurs 

up to at least 2200 m altitude. 

Cultivation: It grows wild in highland areas but better types are also sown from seed. It is 

normally allowed to climb up trees. 

Production: Fruiting is somewhat seasonal. 

Use: The seeds are eaten cooked. 



part 

Seeds 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Fruit fly maggots 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea it is a minor but widely distributed vegetable. 

Zinc 

mg

210 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Trichosanthes tricuspidata Lour. 



Description: A soft climber. It can grow 5-6 m long. 

The flowers are white, The fruit are round or oval. 

Distribution: 

Cultivation: 

Production: 

Use: The young leaves are edible. 

Caution: The fruit are poisonous. 



part 

Leaves 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

211 

Names 

English: Choko Scientific name: Sechium edule (Jacquin) Swartz 



Description: A vigorously growing climber in the 

pumpkin family that can last for several years. The 

vine can be up to 15 m long. It has strong tendrils 

which can attach to fences and trees so that the plant 

can climb well. The choko leaves are about 15-20 cm 

across and have a rough feel. The fleshy fruits contain 

only one large seed. The stems have furrows along 

them. The choko fruit is produced in the angle where 

the leaf joins the vines. Fruit can be up to 20 cm long 

and they are rough or irregular shaped on the outside. 

There are white and green fruited varieties. Some fruit 

have sharp spikes on the skin. Inside the fruit there is 

one seed about 4 cm long. The flowers are separate. 

Male flowers are in clusters and female flowers are on 

their own. A choko plant produces a large thickened 

root tuber and the plant can regrow from this tuber and 

go on growing year after year. Fruit can be green or 

white and can have soft spines. 

Distribution: Choko requires relative humidity of 80-85%, annual rainfall of at least 1500-2000 

mm and average temperatures of 20-25°C with limits of 12-28°C. In equatorial tropical regions 

chokos will grow from sea level to about 2200 m altitude, but do best between 350 and 1000 m 

altitude. In Nepal they grow to about 2000 m altitude. In the lowlands it is best in shade. 

Chokos need a reasonably well drained soil. It suits hardiness zones 9-12. 

Cultivation: The entire fruit is planted as the seed cannot withstand drying out. It is planted flat 

and thinly covered with soil. Often chokos start to develop shoots and roots while they are still 

attached to the original plant. These eventually fall off and continue growing if they fall on soft 

moist dirt. A spacing 2 m apart along a fence is suitable. Trellis support is required. A well 

drained fertile soil is needed. Cuttings can be used for planting. Plants do not breed true and a 

large variability of fruit types can occur. 

Production: Fruit can be picked starting 3-5 months after planting and continued for many 

months. The fruit can be stored for several weeks. Tips can be picked regularly. Annual yields 

of 75-300 fruit per plant are possible. Fruit can weigh 400 to 500 grams. Tubers of 5 kg weight 

have been recorded. These are normally produced during the second year of growth and after a 

time of arrested development such as a dry season. 

Use: The fruit are edible cooked. 

The young leaf tips are eaten. 

The seeds can be eaten cooked. 

The fleshy root can be eaten cooked. Starch can be extracted from it. 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Fruit 93.4 100 0.6 0.2 5 8 0.3 

Leaves 91.0 105 4.0 1.4 1515 24 

Root 34 0.2 0.1 4 

Zinc 

mg

212 

Insects: 

Amblypelta lutescens papuensis Brown Coreidae (HEM) Papuan tip wilt bug 

Apirocalus terrestris Thompson Curculionidae (COL) Horned weevil 


Diseases: 

Leaf blotch cause unknown 

Leaf spot Fungus Ascochyta sp. 

Soft rot Bacteria Erwinia carotovora 

Pests: 

Importance: Moderately common throughout the country of Papua New Guinea but most 

important in mid altitude areas. 

Choko tips 

Sprouting choko fruit

213 

Names 

English: Pumpkin, Winter squash Scientific name: Cucurbita moschata 

(Duchesne ex Lam) Duchesne ex Poir. 



Description: A creeping plant with long creeping stems 

and softly hairy but without prickly hairs. The stem are 

rounded or 5 angled and moderately hard. They can 

grow 15-20 m long. The leaves are large and shallowly 

lobed and divided like fingers on a hand. Occasionally 

the leaves have white blotches. They have rounded 

lobes. They are 20 cm by 30 cm. The leaf stalk is 12- 

30 cm long. The flowers have male and female flowers 

separately on the same plant. The fruit stalk is 

distinctly expanded there it joins the fruit. The fruit are 

not hard shelled and are dull in colour. The flesh is 

yellow. Often the flesh has fibres through it. The seeds 

are plump and white to brown. They separate easily 

from the pulp of the fruit. The edge of the seed is 

scalloped and irregular in outline. 

Distribution: It suits the wet tropics. It will thrive in humid as well as in very hot climates. In 

Bolivia it grows up to 2000 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 8-11. 


Production: 

Use: The fruit are eaten cooked. 


The seeds are eaten roasted. 




Fruit 90.0 151 1.0 0.8 210 15 0.1 

Leaves 

Seeds 

93.6 88.2 3.0 2.1 10 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: This is the more tropical of the pumpkins. In Papua New Guinea it is used more 

for leafy tips than fruit.

214 

Names 

English: Pumpkin, Winter squash Scientific name: Cucurbita maxima Duch ex Lam. 



Description: A creeping vine with tendrils. It is an 

annual plant. The stems are soft and round in cross 

section. The leaves are large and hang loose. They are 

dark green and kidney shaped. The edges of the leaves 

are entire. There are large nodes at the base of the leaf. 

The tendrils are fairly stout and are divided half way 

along their length into many branches. Male flowers 

are carried on long upright stalks. The 5 petals are 

united into a long yellow tube. The female flowers are 

larger than the male and are fewer in number and 

carried on shorter stalks. The fruit varies in size, colour 

and patterns on the skin. They can be round, oval or 

flattened, with yellow, orange or green skin. The 

surface can be smooth and rough and warty. The flesh 

is yellow and edible. The seeds are in the centre. The 

seeds are white or brown. They are flattened but plump 

and have a slanting scar at the top. The seeds are 

edible. (C. moschata does not have hairy stems but has 

fruit with a stalk thickened near where it joins the fruit.) 

Distribution: They are grown throughout the country 

from sea level to 2400 m altitude. They need a fertile 

soil. C. moschata is better suited to coastal areas. They 

are frost sensitive but better suited to cooler areas than 

C. moschata. It suits hardiness zones 8-11. 

Cultivation: They are grown from seed. Usually 2 or 3 seeds are planted together in a mound. 

The distance apart depends on the cultivar. Some kinds are better for leaf tips. It is good to save 

seed of adapted kinds. 

Production: Fruit are ready for harvest after about 3-4 months. Seed can be saved from fruit for 

re-sowing but as pumpkins cross pollinate different types become mixed. 

Use: The young leaf tips are eaten cooked. 

The fruit can be eaten cooked. 

The seeds are edible, roasted. 

The male flowers are eaten after removing the stamen and calyx. 

Food Value: Per 100 g edible portion per 100 g edible portion 



Leaves 89.0 113 4.0 0.8 247 80 0.2 

Flowers 88.7 107 1.4 0.8 173 14 0.1 

Seeds dry 

Fruit 

6.9 2264 24.5 14.9 38 1.9 7.5 

Insects: 


Aulacophora spp. Chrysomelidae (COL) Pumpkin beetles

215 

Bactrocera strigifinis atritus May Tephritidae (DIPT) Fruit fly 

Henosepilachna signatipennis (Boisd.) Coccinellidae (COL) Ladybird 

Leptoglossus australis (Fabricius) Coreidae (HEM) Passion vine bug 

Leptothea csikii Weise Coccinellidae (COL) Cotton aphid 

Diseases: 

Storage rot Fungus Colletotrichum orbiculare 

Sooty mould Fungus Epicoccum sp. 

Powdery mildew Fungus Erysiphe cichoracearum 

Downy mildew Fungus Pseudoperonospora cubensis 

With storage rot Fungus Rhizoctonia sp. 

Mosaic Virus Melon mosaic virus 

Pests: 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea, a widely distributed and popular vegetable especially for 

leaf tips.

216 

Names 

English: Cucumber Scientific name: Cucumis sativus L. 

Tok pisin: Kukamba Synonyms: 


Description: A hairy annual climber with tendrils and 

yellow flowers. It grows to 0.5 m high and spreads to 2 

m wide. The stem is trailing and has bristles. The 

leaves are heart shaped and the lobes taper. Leaf shape 

varies with different varieties. The tendrils are not 

branched. The flowers are yellow and funnel shaped. 

They occur in clusters in the axils of leaves. Male and 

female flowers are separate but on the same plant. 

Male flowers are normally in groups of 2-3 and develop 

first and female flowers are borne singly and open later. 

Fruit are long and often with a slightly lumpy skin. The 

flesh inside is greenish white. The fruit are edible. The 

fruit contain many seeds. Fruit 20-100 cm long are 

called cucumbers and fruit which are much smaller and 

darker green are called gherkins. 

Distribution: It occurs from sea level up to at least 

2200 m in the tropics. It is a traditional vegetable in the 

highlands of Papua New Guinea. Protection from wind 

is needed. It is killed by frost. In Nepal they grow to 

1600 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. 

Cultivation: Batches of 2-3 seeds are normally sown together during the dry season and in new 

gardens. A spacing of 1 m apart per plant is suitable. 

Production: Harvesting can commence 6-8 weeks after sowing. Up to 10 fruit per plant can be 

produced. 

Use: Usually unripe fruit are eaten raw. 

Young stem tops and leaves are edible. 

The kernels of the seeds are edible. 

Cucumbers are normally eaten fresh while gherkins are pickled in vinegar. 




Fruit 

Leaves 

Seeds 

96.4 43 0.6 0.3 Tr 8 0.1 

Insects: 



Bactrocera atrisetosus Perkins Tephritidae (DIPT) Fruit flies 

Bactrocera cucurbitae Coq Tephritidae (DIPT) Melon fruit fly 


Leptoglossus australis (Fab.) Coreidae (HEM) Passion vine bug 

Monolepta semiviolacea Fab Chrysomelidae (COL)

217 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria alternata 

Leaf spot Fungus Corynespora cassiicola 

With fruit rot Fungus Choanephora cucurbitarum 


Downy mildew Fungus Pseudoperonospora cubensis 


Damping off Fungi Pythium butleri 

And Pythium deliense 

Fruit rot Bacteria Erwinia carotovora 

Storage rot Fungus Colletotrichum sp. 


And Phoma exigua 

And Pythium sp. 

Pests: 

Importance: A common and well liked vegetable throughout Papua New Guinea.

218 

Names 

English: Marrow, Pumpkin Scientific name: Cucurbita pepo L. 



Description: A bristly hairy annual vine in the 

pumpkin family. It has branched tendrils. The stems 

are angular and prickly. The leaves are roughly 

triangular. The leaves have 5 lobes which are pointed 

at the end and are toothed around the edge. Male and 

female plants are separate on the same plant. Male 

flowers are carried on long grooved flower stalks. 

Female flowers are borne on shorter more angular 

stalks. The fruit stalks have furrows along them but are 

not fattened near the stalk. The fruit vary in shape, size 

and colour. Often they are oval and yellow and 20 cm 

long by 15 cm wide. The seeds are smaller than 

pumpkin and easy to separate from the tissue. The scar 

at their tip is rounded or horizontal, not oblique. 

Distribution: They are more suited to drier areas. They are frost sensitive. It suits hardiness 

zones 8-11. 

Cultivation: They are grown from seeds. The seeds germinate after one week. They can be 

grown from cuttings. They are best planted on mounds. A spacing of 2-3 m between plants is 

needed. Hand pollination assists fruit setting. Plants can also be grown from cuttings as plants 

root at the nodes. 

Production: The first usable immature fruit are ready 7-8 weeks after planting. 

Use: The young fruit are cooked and eaten. 

The young leaves and the ripe seeds can also be eaten. 

The seeds are dried, salted and toasted and eaten as a snack food. 

The seeds can also be pressed to produce oil. 




Fruit 91.3 102 1.1 0.8 12 0.2 

Leaves 

Seeds 

89.0 113 4.0 0.8 3600 80 

Insects: 

Probably similar to pumpkin 

Diseases: 

Probably similar to pumpkin 

Pests: 

Importance: Not widely distributed in Papua New Guinea. Not as common as pumpkins.

219 

Names 

English: Melon, Canteloupe, Scientific name: Cucumis melo L. 



Description: An annual climber with tendrils. It grows 

to 0.5 m high and spreads to 1.5 m across. The stems 

are soft and hairy and often angled. The leaves have 

lobes and often a wavy or toothed edge. They are on 

long leaf stalks. The leaves are often hairy underneath. 

The tendrils are not branched. The flowers are yellow 

and funnel shaped with expanded lobes. The male 

flowers occur in clusters and are produced before the 

female flowers. The fruit is round, mostly with a rough 

or streaky skin. It is green or yellow inside. The fruit 

is edible. Different kinds of melons occur. Some have 

a hard warty scaly skin. Others have a network of fine 

ridges over the surface. 

Distribution: It is not suited to places with high rainfall. They suit hot dry places with a fertile 

well drained soil. It needs a sheltered sunny position. It is drought and frost tender. A 

temperature range of 24-28°C is best but much higher temperatures is tolerated. Mostly they are 

grown below 500 m altitude in the tropics. A pH of 6-6.7 is best. Acid soils are not suitable. It 


Cultivation: They are grown from seed. The seeds are planted about 1-4 cm deep. Plants need 

to be 1-2 m apart. Seedlings can be transplanted when about 10-15 cm high. 

Production: Plants are ready 3-4 months after planting. Yields of 20 kg per10 sq m is average. 

Use: The ripe fruit are eaten raw. 

The seeds are sometimes eaten. 

Sometimes the immature fruit are cooked as a vegetable. 

The seeds contain an edible light oil. 




Fruit 93.0 109 0.5 0.4 300 30 0.2 

Leaves 

Seeds 

85.0 172 4.2 

Insects: 

Leptoglossus australis (Fabricius) Coreidae (HEM) Black leaf footed bug 

Diseases: 


Downy mildew Fungus Pseudoperonospora cubensis (Berk. & Curt.) 

Rostow 

Black rot Fungus Mycosphaerella melonis 

Pests: 

Importance: Only occasionally seen in Papua New Guinea. They are common in Africa both 

wild and cultivated.

220 

Names 

English: Bottle gourd Scientific name: Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standley 



Description: A pumpkin family plant. It is an annual 

vine with large leaves. It can grow 3-9 m long and 

spread 3-6 m wide. The thick stems have furrows 

along them. It can climb over logs by attaching the 

tendrils which grow out of the stem near the leaf. The 

leaves are large and have soft hairs especially 

underneath. Flowers of both sexes are borne in the 

same plant. The plant produces male flowers first and 

these are on long stalks. Next it produces female 

flowers on short stalks. Flowers are large and white. 

They can be 10 cm across. They are mainly pollinated 

by insects. Fruit vary in shape. The fruit can be 8-90 

cm long. They have brown seeds in a whitish green 

pulp. 

Distribution: It grows from sea level up to 2700 m 

altitude in the tropics. It grows best in a warm humid 

climate. It is sensitive to frost. It prefers full sunlight. 

In Nepal it grows to about 2200 m altitude. It suits 


Cultivation: To achieve fast and uniform emergence, seed should be soaked overnight. Seeds 

are best sown in raised beds. Seedlings emerge in 5-7 days. Seedlings can be transplanted is 

required. Because plants cross pollinate, plant and fruit types vary. Removing the young fruit to 

use as a vegetable will prolong the life of the plant. Large fruit can be obtained by removing 

some of the small fruit. A spacing of 1- 2 m is suitable. It prefers a trellis to climb. Because it 

is shallow rooted weeding needs to be done carefully. 

Production: It is fast growing and flowers 2 months after seeding. 

Use: The young fruit are boiled as a vegetable. The skin and seeds are removed. 

Young tips and leaves are edible. 

(Old fruit are used as containers, and seeds are not normally edible.) 

The seeds are sometimes eaten. They yield an edible oil. 




Fruit 93.0 88 0.5 2.4 25 10 

Leaves 

Seeds 

83.0 180 4.4 7.4 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Powdery mildew Fungus 

Anthracnose Fungus Colletotrichum orbiculare 

Pests: 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea, it occurs occasionally in many areas for containers. As a 

vegetable it is only important in some areas eg Mendi. 

Zinc 

mg

221 

Names 

English: Angled loofah Scientific name: Luffa acutangula (L.)Roxburgh 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Cucumis acutangula L.; 


Description: An annual climber with square stems. 

They have 4 to 7 branched tendrils which attach to 

objects helping the plant to have a climbing habit. 

Leaves are pale green, hairy and shallowly five lobed. 

The leaves have a bad smell when rubbed. Male and 

female flowers are separate. Male flowers are in 

clusters, female flowers singly. (Ratio 43:1) Flowers 

open late in the afternoon and stay open during the 

night. The flowers are yellow. Fruit can be up to 40 

cm long and with 10 long ridges. It is green-brown 

outside and white inside. 

Distribution: It grows from sea level to 500 m altitude 

in the hot humid tropics. It won't tolerate excessive 

rainfall so does best in drier areas or in the dry season 

in wetter areas. Day temperatures above 25 °C are 

suitable. Some varieties require short day length. 

Adding additional nitrogen fertiliser can stimulate 

female flower formation in short day varieties. In 

Nepal it grows between 1000-1600 m altitude. 

Cultivation: Seeds are sown direct at 40 x 80 cm spacing and need stakes to climb. Because 

seeds can have a hard coating soaking seed in water for 24 hours before planting can assist. 5 kg 

of seed per hectare are required. The plant benefits from full sunlight. Good soil fertility is 

beneficial. The soil needs to be well drained and adequate organic matter helps. Pinching out 

the growing tips when plants are 1.5 to 2 metres long can promote fruit development. Hand 

pollination once female flowers develop helps fruit set. This is best done in the evening. 

Production: Immature fruit are ready 6 - 10 weeks after planting. On maturity the fruit become 

bitter and inedible. Fruit do not store well so are harvested when they are to be used. 

Use: The immature fruit are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. The ridges are removed with a 

vegetable peeler. 



Edible 

part 

Fruit 

Leaves 

Insects: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Diseases: 

Downy mildew Fungus Pseudoperonospora cubensis (Berk.& Curt.)Rostov. 

Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora citrullina Cooke 

Pests: 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea it is a vegetable of minor importance in some coastal areas. 

Zinc 

mg

222 

Names 

English: Smooth loofah Scientific name: Luffa cylindrica (L.) M.Roemer 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Luffa aegyptiaca Miller 


Description: An annual climber up to 10 m long. The 

stem is five angled and slightly hairy. The tendrils 

have 2 or 3 branches. Leaves are 10-20 cm across with 

five to seven lobes. Male and female flowers are 

separate and yellow. The male flowers occur as 4 to 20 

flowers together while female flowers are solitary in the 

leaf axils. Flowers open in the early morning. The 

fruit is fairly smooth and cylindrical and can be 30 - 60 

cm long. The seeds are black, flat and smooth and 10- 

15 mm long. 

Distribution: It grows well in the tropical lowlands but 

will also grow in more temperate places. It is better 

suited to the drier season as too heavy a rainfall during 

flowering and fruiting is harmful. Soils should be well 

drained and moderately rich. It suits hardiness zones 9- 

12. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. Seed are collected from ripe fruit. Seed are sown 4-5 

cm deep and plants are put 1 metre apart. They can be sown in seed boxes and transplanted 

when 15 cm high. It is best to have a trellis for the plant to climb on or be left to climb over 

trees. They are often pollinated by insects but can be hand pollinated in the early morning. 

Production: Fruit are harvested for sponges when fully mature. Young fruit are ready 2-3 

months after planting while fruit mature 4-5 months after planting. For eating, young fruit are 

used. 

Use: The young fruit are eaten as a vegetable. They are skinned and have the centre removed. 

The seeds yield an edible oil after extraction. 

The young leaves and flowers are edible. They are blanched by covering to make them white. 

Caution: Older fruit are bitter and fibrous and contain poisonous substances. 


Edible 

part 

Fruit 

Leaves 

Flowers 

Insects: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Diseases: 

Downy mildew Fungus Pseudoperonospora cubensis (Berk.& Curt.) Rostov. 


Pests: 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea a minor vegetable seen in several coastal areas. 

Zinc 

mg

223 

Names 

English: Wax gourd Scientific name: Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn. 



Description: A long vined (3 m), climbing, pumpkin family 

plant. The plant re-grows from seed each year. The vines are 

thick, furrowed and hairy. The leaves are heart shaped with 5 

to 7 lobes. They are rough to touch. Flowers are yellow. The 

immature fruit can have skin of various colours depending on 

variety. The fruit is up to 30 cm long and 20 cm across and 

green with a waxy covering when mature. This waxy layer 

enables the fruit to be stored for a long time. Fruit shape and 

size can vary with variety. The flesh is firm and white. The 

fruit are heavy - up to 8-45 kg 

Distribution: It is suited to warm, lowland, tropical 

conditions. It does better in dry areas or drier seasons. They 

are reasonably drought tolerant. The best temperature for 

growing is 23-28°C. They need a well-drained soil. They do 

best with a pH of 6.5. It grows in Nepal up to 1400 m altitude. 

Cultivation: It is grown from seeds. There are about 1800 seeds in a kg. Seed are sown 3-5 cm 

deep with a spacing of 60-80 cm between plants. If plants are going to be allowed to trail over 

the ground a spacing of about 3 m is necessary. Seed can be sown in nurseries and transplanted 

when 15-20 cm tall. They are usually planted in mounds and allowed to grow over a strong 

trellis. They can be allowed to stay on the ground. Decayed manure or compost is used where 

available. Plants are responsive to sulphate of ammonia. Flowering normally starts 60-80 days 

after planting. Flowers are open in the early morning. Hand pollination may assist fruit 

development. This becomes more important in colder areas. Thinning of fruit gives larger fruit. 

The growing tips of plants can be pruned out to encourage branching or to restrict growth. 

Production: Fruit are ready 3-5 months after planting. The fruit keeps well when fully mature. 

They can be stored for 6 months at 13-15°C in a dry atmosphere. The pulp of wax gourds can be 

shredded and dried for later use. 

Use: The white flesh is added to stir fried dishes. 

The seeds are fried and eaten. 

Young leaves and flower buds can be eaten. 

The young fruit are used as a vegetable. The mature fruit are peeled, cut in pieces and candied. 




Fruit 

Seeds 

Flowers 

Leaves 

96.6 54 0.4 0.4 0 10.5 0.6 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 


Importance: These gourds are grown in most places where Chinese have moved and where the 

climate is warm enough. They are mainly grown near coastal towns in Papua New Guinea for 

sale to Chinese. They sell for a high price.

224 

Names 

English: Bitter cucumber Scientific name: Momordica charantia L. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Momordica chinensis Spreng. 


Description: A slender annual climber with flowers of 

both sexes on the one plant. It has simple tendrils and 

vines can be 4 m long. It has bright green lobed leaves. 

The leaves are 5 to 12 cm long on thin leaf stalks 3-10 

cm long. The flowers have 5 petals, are small, yellow 

and with a sweet smell. Fruit are green when young 

and orange when ripe. The fruit have a lumpy 

appearance, with ridges along its length and when fully 

ripe burst open. It has bright red covering on the seeds 

inside. The seeds are 10-16 mm long and 7 to 10 mm 

wide and pale brown. Considerable variation in the 

fruit occurs between varieties. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. It grows from sea level 

up to about 500 m and will probably grow to 1000 m 

altitude in tropical regions. They require a well drained 

soil preferably rich in organic matter. Seeds do not 

germinate below 15°C. Plants grow best with 

temperatures between 18°C and 35°C. In Nepal it 

grows to about 2100 m altitude. A soil pH of 6.5 is 

best. It suits hardiness zones 9-12. 

Cultivation: For large scale plantings, 6-7 kg of seed are required for planting one hectare. 

Seeds are planted at 50 cm spacing in the place where the plants are to grow and need a stick to 

climb up. The seeds are put at 2 cm depth. Often plants are grown on raised beds 2 m apart with 

0.5 m between plants. The seed has a hard seed coat and germinates slowly. Soaking seeds for 

24 hours before sowing gives a quicker more even germination. Regular watering is required. 

Production: Fruit are ready to harvest 45-55 days after planting. Fruit should be harvested when 

young and tender. Once fruit have begun to change colour to yellow they are past maturity for 

eating. Early removal of young fruit also ensures continuous fruit setting. This can allow 6-8 

successive pickings of fruit. Fruit on the plant are sometimes wrapped in paper to prevent fruit 

fly damage. Seed well stored can remain viable for 4-5 years. The young bitter fruit are cooked 

and eaten. The fruit is blanched or soaked in salt water to reduce the bitter taste. 

Use: The young bitter fruit are cooked and eaten. 

The seed mass of the ripe fruit is used as a food flavouring. 

The leaves are also cooked and eaten as a flavouring. 

The tender shoots and leaves are sometimes eaten. 

Caution: The leaves are considered to cause diarrhoea and vomiting. 




Fruit 94.0 79 0.8 0.4 11 33 0.8 

Leaves 88.7 146 3.6 1.0 173 57 0.3 

Insects: 

Leptoglossus australis (Fabricius) Coreidae (HEM) Black leaf-footed bug

225 

Megymenum sp. Dinidoridae (HEM) 


Diseases: 


Downy mildew Fungus Pseudoperonospora cubensis (Berk. & Curt.) Rostow 


Pests: 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea only of minor importance and used by Asians.

226 

Names 

English: Spiny bitter cucumber Scientific name: Momordica cochinchinensis (Lour.) Spreng. 



Description: A coarse vine up to 15 m long. It keeps 

growing from year to year. It climbs by means of 

tendrils. It is slightly hairy. The leaves are 8 to 18 cm 

long, and 8-20 cm across and deeply 3 lobed and the 

base is heart shaped. Leaves are bright green. The leaf 

stalks are 2-10 cm long. Male and female flowers are 

separate on the same plant. Male flowers are 3.5 cm 

across on stalks 5-30 cm long. The petals are pale 

yellow. The female flowers are smaller. The fruit are 

egg shaped, yellow and roughened with small bumps 

scattered over it. They are edible. 

Distribution: It suits tropical places. It occurs in the 

Philippines and other areas of SE Asia. 

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings of firm young growth. 

Production: 

Use: The young leafy shoots and fruit are eaten cooked. 

The fruit are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. 



part 

Leaves 

Fruit 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: Fruit are sold in markets in Asian countries. It is probably rarely used in Papua 

New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

227 

Names 

English: Cabbage Scientific name: Brassica oleracea var. capitata L. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Brassica capitata (L.) H. Léveillé 


Description: A herb. It is a short leafy plant with a 

thick stalk. In cold areas it forms a thick tightly packed 

ball of leaves called a "head". If the plant is left 

growing in the ground it will later produce a flower 

stalk. The flowers are yellow. 

Distribution: It does best at higher altitudes in the 

tropics where there is a greater difference between day 

and night temperatures. It is mostly above 1000 m. 

They are frost resistant. It suits hardiness zones 8-11. 

Cultivation: Plants are normally first grown from seeds. But in many places in Papua New 

Guinea they are re-grown from cuttings or sprouts that develop on the cut stalk. 

Production: Cabbages take 5-7 months to be ready for harvest. 

Use: The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. 




Leaves 93.6 92 1.0 0.2 132 IU 20 0.1 

Insects: 

Agrotis ipsilon (Hufn.) Noctuidae (LEP) Black cutworm 

Chrysodeixis eriosoma Doubleday Noctuidae (LEP) Vegetable looper 


Crocidolomia binotalis Zell. Pyralidae (LEP) Cabbage cluster caterpillar 

Euricania discigutta (Walk.) Ricaniidae (HEM) Plant hopper 


Phaneroptera brevis Serv. Tettigoniidae (ORTH) 

Plutella xylostella (L.) Plutellidae (LEP) Diamond backed moth 

Spodoptera litura (F.) Noctuidae (LEP) Cluster caterpillar 


Diseases: 

Black leaf spot Fungus Alternaria brassicicola 


Ring spot Fungus Mycosphaerella brassicicola 

Downy mildew Fungus Peronospora parasitica 

Black rot Bacteria Xanthomonas campestris (Pamm)Dowson 

Soft rot Bacteria Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora 

Collar rot Fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris 

Damping off Fungus Pythium sp. 

And Rhizoctonia sp. 

Pests: 

Importance: Cabbages are very common and popular in high altitudes areas of Papua New 

Guinea.

228 

Names 

English: Bok-choy Celery cabbage Scientific name: Brassica rapa var. chinensis 

(L.) Kitamura 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Brassica chinensis Linnaeus 

Tok ples: Taatsai Plant family: Brassicaceae 

Description: A leafy cabbage grown as an annual. It 

grows 40-60 cm high. The taproot is not fleshy. The 

stem is short. The leaves are arranged in spirals. They 

are simple and broadly oval. They can be 30 cm long 

by 10 cm wide. The leaves form a rosette. They do not 

form a head. The leaf stalk is thickened. It forms a 

half cylinder in cross section and does not have wings. 

The leaf blade is entire and can have a wavy edge. 

Flowers are small and yellow with 4 petals. The fruit is 

a pod 3.5 cm long. The seeds are black and 2 mm long. 

Several different kinds occur. 

Distribution: More common in lowland areas but will 

grow in the highlands. It suits cool seasons but will not 

tolerate frost. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed and often transplanted. A spacing of 40 cm x 40 cm is 

suitable. Seeds are sown direct. They are sown 1 cm deep. They germinate in about 7 days 

with soil temperature of 21°C. Plants are thinned to about 20 cm between plants. 

Production: The whole plant is harvested after 2-3 months. 

Use: The leaves are cooked and eaten. 

The stems are cooked and served with oyster sauce. 



part 

Leaves 

Stems 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: They are common and popular in lowland areas of Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

229 

Names 

English: Brussels sprouts Scientific name: Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera 

L.; Zenker 



Description: A cabbage family plant with small sprouts 

of compact leaves up the stem. It grows up to about 1 

m high. The leaves are stalked and the edges are wavy. 

They are slightly lobed. The flowers are yellowish. 

Distribution: It suits the highlands in the tropics. 

Normally it needs to be above 800 m and in places with 

cool nights. It grows in the highlands up to 2600 m. It 

is frost tolerant. It suits hardiness zones 8-11. 

Cultivation: It is normally grown from imported seed. 

Seedlings are transplanted after 5 or 6 weeks. The 

spacing needs to be about 60 cm x 60 cm. 

Production: The sprouts can be harvested about 4 

months after transplanting. 

Use: The sprouts are cooked and eaten. 

The leafy tops can also be eaten. 




Sprouts 

Leaves 

91.5 175 2.8 1.2 72 40 0.4 

Insects: 

Acleris sp. Tortricidae (LEP) 

Atractomorpha crenaticeps Blanch Acrididae (ORTH) 



Phaneroptera brevis Serv. Tettigoniidae (ORTH) Long horned grasshopper 

Phytometra orichalcaea (F.) Noctuidae (LEP) Semi looper 

Plutella xylostella L. Plutellidae (LEP) Diamond backed moth 

Diseases: 

Black leaf spot Fungus Alternaria brassicicola (Schw.) Wilt. 

Black rot Bacteria Xanthomonas campestris (Pamm.) Dows. 

Pests: 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea, mainly only grown by a few people for sale to Europeans.

230 

Names 

English: Kohl rabi Scientific name: Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes L. 



Description: A cabbage family plant with a swollen 

bulb above the ground. This can be green or purple. It 

is round with a tapering root. Leaves come off around 

the side of this bulb. They have stalks. The edges of 

the leaves are wavy. The flowers are yellow. 

Distribution: It does best in the highlands in the tropics 

but is reasonably tolerant of heat and drought. It can be 

grown from sea level to 2600 m altitude. It is frost 

tolerant. It suits hardiness zones 8-11. 

Cultivation: They are grown from imported seed. The 

seed can be sown direct or in a nursery and 

transplanted. 

Production: 

Use: The bulb is mostly cooked and eaten. It can be added to soups. It can be lightly simmered 

in coconut milk with spices. 

It can be eaten raw. 





Bulb 91.6 99 1.9 0.9 4 63 0.3 

Leaves 90.0 113 1.7 0.4 2000 62 

Insects: 

Chrysodeixus eriosoma Doubleday Noctuidae (LEP) Green looper 



Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea it is not commonly grown and is mainly by or for sale to 

Europeans.

231 

Names 

English: Cauliflower Scientific name: Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L. 



Description: A herb. It is a cabbage family plant 

which develops a thick white edible flower in the 

centre. It has broad leaves around a thick stalk. The 

leaves clasp the stem. The leaves are oval and fleshy. 

The flowers are yellow. 

Distribution: It mostly grows in the highlands in the 

tropics but has been grown from sea level to 2600 m 

altitude. It is frost resistant. In Nepal it grows up to 


Cultivation: They are normally grown from seeds and 

transplanted. Because plants cross pollinate and seed 

production requires low temperatures seed collecting is 

neither easy nor very successful. 

Production: 

Use: The thick white flower is cooked and eaten. 





Flower 

Leaves 

90.7 96 3.0 0.3 2 44.3 0.2 

Insects: 

Plutella xylostella L. Plutellidae (LEP) Diamond back moth 

and probably others similar to cabbage. 

Diseases: 

Black leaf spot Fungus Alternaria brassicicola (Schw.)Wilt. 

Leaf spot Fungus Mycosphaerella brassicicola 

Black rot Bacteria Xanthomonas campestris (Pamm.) Dows. 

Pests: 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea, mainly only grown by a few people for sale to Europeans.

232 

Names 

English: Broccoli Scientific name: Brassica oleracea var. italica Plenck. 



Description: A cabbage family plant. It has a 

thickened green or blue flower at the centre. The 

flower is often in several small heads. They are 

surrounded by broad leaves attached to a thick stalk. 

Calabrese is a variety with tightly packed green or 

purple heads. 

Distribution: It is mostly grown in the highlands in the 

tropics. It is frost resistant. It suits hardiness zones 8- 

11. 

Cultivation: It is normally grown from imported seed. 

The seeds are planted in a nursery then transplanted. A 

spacing of 60 cm x 60 cm is suitable. 

Production: Plants are ready for harvest about 3 months after transplanting. 

Use: The central flower is cooked and eaten. 





Flower 89.9 78 3.1 1.0 2500 34 0.4 

Leaves 90.7 117 3.0 0.9 1600 93.2 0.4 

Insects: 


Plutella xylostella (L.) Plutellidae (LEP) Diamond back moth 

Diseases: 

Grey leaf spot Fungus Alternaria brassicae 

Botrytis sp. 

Black rot Bacteria Xanthomonas campestris 

Pests: 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea, only grown is a few highland areas mostly for sale to 

Europeans.

233 

Names 

English: Turnip Scientific name: Brassica rapa L. 



Description: An erect annual herb. It has a round 

white fleshed taproot. It is often tinged purple. The 

leaves are divided and have hairs. Where the leaves 

join the root it is not raised into a "neck". The wild 

form is a thin plant with leaves that clasp the stem. The 

pods are 4-6.5 cm long and have seedless beaks 2-3.2 

cm long. 

Distribution: It will grow in both the lowlands and 

highlands in the tropics but does best in the highlands 

between 1700 and 2600 m altitude. It is frost resistant. 

It grows in Nepal to 2500 m altitude. It suits hardiness 

zones 9-11. 

Cultivation: It is grown from imported seed. In the lowlands they are best grown in the shade. 

Production: The roots are ready after 8-10 weeks. 

Use: The swollen root is cooked and eaten. 

The leaves can be eaten. 




Root 90.0 113 0.9 0.3 Tr 21 

Leaves 90.0 117 3.0 1.9 4560 139 

Insects: 


Lyriomyza brassicae (Riley) Agromyzidae (DIPT) Cabbage leaf miner 

Plutella xylostella L. Plutellidae (LEP) Diamond back moth 

Plutella sera Meyr. Plutellidae (LEP) 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria brassicae (Berk.)Sacc. 

and Alternaria brassicicola 

Back rot Bacteria Xanthomonas campestris (Pamm.) Dows. 

Pests: 

Importance: Not very common or widely used. 

Zinc 

mg

234 

Names 

English: Chinese kale Scientific name: Brassica oleracea var. albiflora Kuntze 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Brassica alboglabra Bailey 


Description: A cabbage family plant which continues 

to grow from year to year. The stem base is long and 

cylindrical but not fleshy. It has leaves which are thick, 

oval and bluish-green. They can be dull or shiny. They 

are widely spaced and not grouped in a head. The leaf 

buds in the axils of leaves do not form a head. The 

flower stalk is lax and not fleshy. The flowers are 

white or rarely cream. 

Distribution: It is cultivated in China. 

Cultivation: 

Production: 



Edible 

part 

Leaves 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

235 

Names 

English: Swede Scientific name: Brassica napus var. napobrassica (L.) Mill. 



Description: A cabbage family plant. The plant has a 

round tap root which mostly have yellow flesh. The 

outside is often of various colours. It has a "neck" near 

the ground level and this helps distinguish it from a 

turnip. The leaves have a waxy appearance. 

Distribution: They are not common in the tropics. 

They do best in the highlands and in the dry season. It 


Cultivation: They are grown from seed. 

Production: 

Use: The tubers are cooked and eaten. 

The leaves can be eaten cooked. 




Tubers 

Leaves 

91.6 76 0.9 0.3 Tr 17 0.1 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: Not a very popular vegetable in Papua New Guinea.

236 

Names 

English: Bai cai, Petsai Scientific name: Brassica rapa var. glabra Regel 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Brassica pekinensis (Loureiro) Ruprecht 


Description: An annual or biennial plant. The taproot 

is not fleshy. The basal leaves are usually more than 

20. They form a rosette and a head. This is normally 

oblong and compact. The leaf stalk is strongly 

flattened. It has incised or toothed edges. The leaf 

blade has teeth along the edge. 

Distribution: 

Cultivation: 

Production: 



Edible 

part 

Leaves 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

237 

Names 

English: Leaf mustard Scientific name: Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Cass 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Sinapis juncea L. 


Description: It is an erect leafy annual cabbage plant. 

It grows to about 1 m high. The plant can vary a lot. 

The leaves are elliptical and deeply divided. They are 

dark green. The end segment of the leaves is oval. The 

leaves taper towards the stem and have a strong 

mustard flavour. The flowers are pale yellow. They 

have 4 petals. It produces a flower and seed pods at the 

top. The seed pod is long and narrow. It is 3-5 cm 

long. The seeds are reddish-brown. 

Distribution: It is grown in some highland areas in the 

tropics. It is often grown as a cool season crop. Most 

varieties are not frost tolerant. It needs a fertile, well 

drained soil. A pH of 5.5-6.8 is suitable. It can tolerate 

poor soils. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. 

Cultivation: The seed is broadcast. They can be put in a nursery and transplanted. A spacing of 

25 cm x 25 cm is suitable. 

Production: Leaves can be harvested one month after planting. Leaves can be harvested several 

times. Whole plants can be harvested in about 45 days from transplanting. 

Use: The leaves are cooked and eaten. They have a bitter taste, so the cooking water needs 

changing. 

They can be eaten crystallised in vinegar or salt. 

They can be used in salads. 

The seeds can be fried then used as a spice. 




Leaves 

Seeds 

92.0 108 2.4 2.7 1825 73 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: Only grown occasionally in Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

238 

Names 

English: Chinese radish Scientific name: Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus Bailey 



Description: A cabbage family plant like a large 

radish. It has a large fleshy root and deeply divided 

leaves. The taproot is long and white. It takes one or 

two years to complete its lifecycle. The stems can be 

20-100 cm high. The leaves near the base are long. 

They are divided and have coarse teeth. The leaves up 

the stem are simple and narrow. The flowers develop 

at the top. They are usually white with purple veins. 

The fruit are pods about 3-8 cm long and 1.25 cm 

across. They have a long tapering beak. There are 6- 

12 round seeds. These can be yellow or brown. 

Distribution: It is more common in lowland areas in 

the tropics. It needs a rich loose fertile soil. It suits 


Cultivation: Plants are grown from seeds. A spacing of 15 cm apart in rows is suitable. Often 

plants are sown more thickly and seedlings are thinned out and eaten. It is possible to save seed 

from plants. 

Production: Plants are ready for harvesting about 50 days after planting. 

Use: The roots are cooked and eaten. 

The young leaves can be eaten cooked. 

The roots can also be shredded and eaten raw in salads. 


Edible 

part 

Roots 

Leaves 

Insects: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria raphani Groves & Skolko 

Pests: 

Importance: Rarely grown or eaten by village people in Papua New Guinea. It is seen at 

schools and institutions and sometimes in coastal markets. 

Zinc 

mg

239 

Names 

English: Radish Scientific name: Raphanus sativus L. 



Description: A small quick growing plant with a 

thickened edible root. The leaves are divided along the 

middle nerve and are hairy. The end lobe is largest. 

The flowers are white or lilac with purple veins. The 

fruit is a pod. It is round in cross section and does not 

open at maturity. It is constricted between the seeds. 

The fattened roots can be red, white, purple or black. 

They can be round, oblong or long and narrow. 

Distribution: It grows from the coast up to at least 

2400 m in the tropics. It is frost resistant. It suits 


Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed planted at 5 

cm spacing. In highland areas seeds can be saved from 

plants to re-sow. 

Production: Plants can be ready after 3 weeks. 

Use: The young tender roots are mostly eaten raw. 

The leaves are eaten cooked. 

Roots and seeds are pickled. 

The seeds can be sprouted and eaten. 




Roots 

Leaves 

93.3 62 1.0 1.9 Tr 25 0.1 

Seeds 90.1 180 3.8 0.9 39 28.9 0.6 

Insects: 


Gonocephalum ochthebioides Ful. Tenebrionidae (COL) False wireworm 

Onthophagus latenasutus Arrow Copridae (COL) A beetle 

Diseases: 

A leaf spot Fungus Alternaria raphani Groves & Skolko 

Pests: 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea tried out by many people and not liked.

240 

Names 

English: Bulb onion Scientific name: Allium cepa var. cepa L. 


Tok ples: Plant family: Alliaceae 

Description: A herb with a two year life cycle. Normally it 

develops fattened bulbs at the base. It has a shallow fibrous root 

system. The actual stem in very short and condensed. Leaves are 

produced in an alternate fashion one after the other from the top 

of this stem. Successive leaves grow up inside, then burst 

through the leaf sheath of the previous leaf. Leaves are thin and 

long. They are slightly to markedly flattened on the upper 

surface. Long day lengths and warm temperatures help the leaf 

bases become swollen and store food reserves. Flowers are 

greenish white in colour. Flowers develop on a rounded head 

with stalks all coming from the centre. Flowers in the rounded 

head open irregularly. There are no bulbils on the flowerhead. 

Distribution: It is more easy to get onions to grow and form 

bulbs in the highlands in the tropics but they can be grown from 

sea level to 2600 m altitude in Papua New Guinea. In Nepal they 

grow to 3000 m altitude. They do not suit the wet humid tropics. 

Because the day lengths are short near the equator, onions often 

do not produce a bulb. Some newer varieties will yield in the 

tropics. It suits hardiness zones 5-10. 

Cultivation: They are grown from imported seed. For bulbs, a tropical cultivar is needed and 

bulbing is normally better at higher altitudes. Cultivars which form flowers early need to be 

avoided. Seedlings can be transplanted. 

Production: 

Use: The bulbs and leaves are used as flavouring raw or cooked. 




Bulb 92.8 99 0.9 0.3 0 10 0.1 

Leaves 90.0 1.4 0.5 0.5 

Insects: 


Neotoxoptera formosana Takahashi Aphididae (HEM) Onion aphid 


Thrips tabaci Lind. Thripidae (THYS) Onion thrips 

Diseases: 

Leaf tip withering Fungus Alternaria porri 

Smudge Fungus Colletotrichum circinans (Berk.)Voglino 


And Pseudomonas cepacia 

Pests: 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea, it is not widely grown but is popular and imported for sale.

241 

Names 

English: Shallots Scientific name: Allium cepa var. aggregatum L., G.Don. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Allium ascalonicum L. 


Description: These onion like plants produce a cluster 

of bulbs. They are narrowly oval. It grows to 1.2 m 

high. The leaves are round and hollow. This is a 

genuinely perennial form of Allium cepa, the bulb 

grows deeper in the soil and divides to produce a 

number of underground bulbs each year in much the 

same way as shallots. Large bulbs divide to form 5-15 

bulbs whilst smaller bulbs grow into one large bulb. 

They do not produce bulbils in the flowerhead. 

Distribution: They can be grown throughout the 

country but do best in the cooler higher places. They 

need a fertile well drained soil. They are frost resistant. 

They tolerate a pH in the range 4.5 to 8.3. It suits 


Cultivation: Normally plants are grown by planting one bulb. It is best to plant them on slightly 

raised beds. Plants should be about 20 cm apart. 

Production: 

Use: The bulbs are eaten raw or cooked. 

The leaves are eaten raw or cooked. 

The flowers are used raw or to flavour salads. 




Bulbs 81 281 1.9 0.8 Tr 2 

Leaves 91 126 1.8 3.7 945 19 

Insects: 

Thrips tabaci Lnd. Thripidae (THYS) Onion thrips 

Aphids 

Diseases: 

Leaf tip burn Fungus Alternaria porri 

Leaf tip wither Fungus Botryotinia fuckeliana (de Bary)Fuckel 

Smudge Fungus Colletotrichum circinans 

Pests: 

Importance: This is becoming a well accepted and popular vegetable for flavouring foods in 

most parts of Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

242 

Names 

English: Chives Scientific name: Allium schoenoprasum L. 



Description: A herb which grows one year, then flowers the 

next. It is up to 30 cm tall. A narrow leafed onion which forms 

dense clumps. The leaves are hollow and narrow. They are 10- 

25 cm long by 0.1 cm in cross section. They are angular in 

cross section. Bulbs are not well developed. They can be 1-3 

cm long by 0.5-1.5 cm across. The flowers are pink or purple. 

They are produced in a head where small flowers are on equal 

length stalks forming a rounded head. 

Distribution: A temperate plant. It is tolerant of cold and suits 

the highlands in the tropics. It needs a well drained soil. They 

can tolerate drought and grow on a wide range of soils. Fertile 

loam soils are best. In China it grows in meadows and damp 

valleys along streams between 2000-3000 m altitude. It suits 


Cultivation: Plants are grown by division of the clump, or by 

seeds. Seeds are normally put in a nursery then transplanted. A 

spacing of 15-20 cm between plants is suitable. The leaves can 

be cut off several times. 

Production: Shoots can be harvested 70-100 days from planting. The outer leaves are cut 2 cm 

from the base leaving the central clump intact. Clumps should be replanted every 2-3 years. 

Use: The mild flavoured leaves are eaten raw or used to flavour food. 

They are used to flavour salads and meat. 




Leaves 92.0 113 2.7 0.8 435 32 0.6 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: It is becoming more common in the highlands of Papua New Guinea.

243 

Names 

English: Garlic Scientific name: Allium sativum L. 



Description: It is an erect herb. It grows one year, then 

flowers the next. It grows about 40 cm high. This 

onion family plant has a number of tightly packed bulbs 

(cloves) wrapped in papery scale leaves. The true 

leaves of the plant are long, flat and solid. Leaves are 

2.5 cm wide. The roots are side roots. The number of 

cloves per bulb varies from 16-50 depending on 

variety. Flowers are borne on a long stalk in a head 

where the flowers are on equal length stalks from one 

point forming a rounded head. 

Distribution: It grows in the tropical highlands mostly 

between 1600 and 2200 m but will grow satisfactorily 

down to 500 m. In Nepal it grows to 3000 m altitude. 

There are kinds that will grow in hot coastal tropical 

places. Best bulb development occurs with 

temperatures up to 30°C. It is frost resistant. High 

humidity or high rainfall is not suitable. It is best 

grown in low rainfall areas with irrigation. Bulb 

development is favoured with long day lengths. It suits 


Cultivation: Plants are grown by planting individual cloves. The individual segments of the 

clove are separated out then planted. A spacing of 20 cm is suitable. They should be planted 

into a deeply dug but firm seedbed. They are planted almost covered with fine soil. Cloves or 

"rounds" are best planted at the end of the wet season. Plants rarely produce fertile flowers or 

seed. They can be grown from seed. 

Production: Bulbs should be ready about 90-120 days from planting. Bulbs can be stored at 25- 

30°C for 90 days with low humidity and good air circulation. 

Use: The cloves are used in small amounts to flavour food. 

The leaves can also be used. Leaves should be cut before they are mature. 




Bulb 66.0 512 5.0 1.2 Tr 7 

Leaves 87.0 50 2.1 0.4 684 38 1.0 

Insects: 

Probably thrips 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: At present not widely grown or used in Papua New Guinea.

244 

Names 

English: Leek Scientific name: Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum 

L.; (L.) Gay 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Allium porrum L. 


Description: An onion like plant without a bulb and with flat 

leaves. It grows one year, then flowers the next. There is one 

bulb. There can be bulblets. The covering is white. The leaves 

are flattened and vary from 40-100 cm long by 1.2-2.5 cm wide. 

Many flowers are produced in a large flower head where small 

flowers are on equal length stalks forming a ball. 

Distribution: It does best with a day temperature below 24°C. 

So it is mostly over 800 m altitude in the tropics and grows up to 

2600 m. It needs a fertile soil. It is very frost resistant. The soil 

needs to be well drained but retain moisture. 

Cultivation: They can be grown from seed. Seedlings can be 

transplanted. They are transplanted when 15-20 cm high. The 

base of plants or suckers are more commonly used for planting. 

It is difficult to save seed in the wet tropics. If plants are planted 

in a hole 10-15 cm deep they develop long white edible stalks. 

The soil should be mounded up around the base of the plant. A 

spacing of 15-20 cm between plants and in rows 30-36 cm apart 

is suitable. 

Production: Plants are ready for harvest after 16-20 weeks. A yield of 20 kg per 10 metres 

square is average. 

Use: The whole plant is boiled except for the tops of the leaves. They can also be eaten raw. 




Bulb 90.8 104 1.8 2.0 40 18 0.1 

Leaves 89.4 147 2.3 2.7 1827 30 

Insects: 


Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria porri (Ell) Cif 

Pests: 

Importance: Moderately common in the highlands of Papua New Guinea.

245 

Names 

English: Garlic chives, Chinese chives Scientific name: Allium tuberosum Rottb. ex Spreng 



Description: It is a herb which keeps growing year 

after year. It can be 40 cm high. It grows in clumps. 

These onions have rhizomes but no real bulbs. The 

leaves are long and grass like, and flat and solid. They 

are 15-30 cm long and about 5 mm wide. The young 

leaves are erect but the mature leaves bend gracefully 

down. The blades of the leaves are not folded 

lengthwise, as are those of garlic and leek. Flowers are 

white. The flowers are produced at the top of a flower 

stalk which grows from the underground stem. The 

flower head is round due to the small flowers being on 

the same length stalks and arising from the same point. 

The flower stalk can be 45 cm long. A dense clump of 

plants is produced. 

Distribution: They are native to eastern Asia. Seeds 

are rarely formed in the lowland tropics. It is 

naturalised in S China. It suits hardiness zones 7-10. 

Cultivation: Plants can be grown by dividing the clump of plants or by seed. Seed production is 

not easy. Plants are sown in rows 30 cm apart. 

Production: Chives may be cultivated for its flowers which are plucked together with the stalks 

before the buds emerging from the sheath. They can also be grown for its edible leaves which 

have a special flavour considered fragrant by some people. 

Use: The leaves and young flowers are used to flavour foods. 

The bulbs are used like garlic. 


Edible 

part 

Leaves 

Flowers 

Bulbs 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Importance: It is cultivated as a vegetable. 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

246 

Names 

English: Celery Scientific name: Apium graveolens var dulce L., (Mill.)D.C. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Apium dulce Mill. 


Description: A herb up to 1 m high. It has leaf stalks 

with ridges and they are like a half circle when cut 

across. The plant is strong smelling. The plant is 

smooth and hairless. The leaves are divided into a 

compound leaf. The wild plant has leaves in tufts from 

the base or spread along creeping stems. The flowers 

are white and in small compound arrangements where 

each flower is on a stalk from the same point. 

Distribution: It is a warm temperate plant. It is mainly 

grown in the highlands in the tropics. It grows up to 

about 2100 m altitude. It is damaged by frost. It often 

grows naturally in swampy conditions. In the tropical 

lowlands it grows as a small leafy plant but can be used 

for flavouring. It requires a rich sandy loam soil. 

Because celery has shallow roots it needs plenty of 

moisture and does best in humus rich soils. 

Cultivation: Plants are mostly grown from seed and transplanted. To produce white stalks, the 

plant is wrapped up or soil is mounded up around the plant. Newer varieties will naturally form 

whiter stalks. Plants should be grown close together to keep sunlight off the stalks. This applies 

especially for the naturally whitening (blanching) varieties. The stalks are cut before the plant 

flowers. 

Production: Leaf stalks take about 9 months from seed until harvest. 

Use: The leaf stalks are eaten raw or used to flavour foods. 

The leaves can also be used for flavouring. 

The dry ripe fruit can be used for flavouring. e.g. in salt. 




Leaf stalks 94.6 67 0.8 0.4 13 7 0.1 

Leaves 95.7 88.2 0.6 0.4 13 5 0.1 

Insects: 

Oribius destructor Mshl. Curculionidae (COL) Shot hole weevil 


Thysanoplusia orichalcea Fabricius Noctuidae (LEP) 

Diseases: 

Septoria leaf spot Fungus Septoria apiicola 

Pests: 

Importance: Plants are fairly commonly seen in highland markets in Papua New Guinea.

247 

Names 

English: Okra Scientific name: Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Hibiscus esculentus L. 


Description: A tropical annual plant. It grows erect, often 

with hairy stems. It mostly grows about 1 m tall but can 

be 3.5 m tall. It becomes woody at the base. The leaves 

have long stalks up to 30 cm long. Leaves vary in shape 

but are roughly heart shaped with lobes and teeth along the 

edge. Upper leaves are more deeply divided than lower 

ones. The flowers are yellow with red hearts. The fruits 

are green, long and ribbed. They have 5-7 ribs. They are 

7.5-15 cm long. The seeds are 4-5 mm across. They are 

round and dark green. Many varieties exist. 

Distribution: It suits the hot humid tropical lowlands but 

is unsuited to the highlands. It cannot tolerate drought. It 

is very sensitive to frost. They grow best where 

temperatures are between 20-36°C. It can grow well in 

dry climates with irrigation. It suits hot humid 

environments. It does best on well drained well manured 

soils but will grow on many soils. A pH or 5.5-7 is best. 

It suits plant hardiness zones 8-12. 

Cultivation: They are grown from seeds. Seeds are easy to collect. They need high 

temperatures for germination (over 20°C) and a sunny position. Often seeds are soaked for 24 

hours before sowing to give quick germination. Seeds are sown 1.5-2.5 cm deep with 2-3 seeds 

per hole. Later these are thinned out to one plant. Seeds can be sown in nurseries and plants 

transplanted. Pinching out the tops of plants when 30 cm high encourages branching. To select 

seed of a particular variety seed plants must be separated 400 m from other varieties. A spacing 

of about 90 x 45 cm is suitable. About 8-10 kg of seed are required for one hectare. Most kinds 

respond to fertiliser. 

Production: Plants maintain production if the fruits are harvested regularly. Plants are ready to 

harvest 8-10 weeks after sowing. Seed yields of 500-800 kg per hectare are recorded. Pod 

yields of 4-6 tons per hectare occur. For young pods it takes 2-4 months from sowing. Pods 

develop 5-10 days after flowering. Pod harvests can continue for 1-2 months. Leaving pods on 

the plants stops new pods developing. 

Use: Pods are eaten cooked. They are slimy, but less so if fried. Okra is frozen and canned. 

Dried powdered seeds can be used in soups. It thickens the soup. 

Young leaves can be eaten cooked. Flowers can also be eaten. They are slimy unless fried. 

The seeds are roasted and used as a coffee substitute. 




Pods 

Seeds 

90.0 134 1.9 0.5 58 16.3 0.6 

Leaves 

Flowers 

81.0 235 4.4 0.7 385 59 


Importance: An introduced vegetable grown in a few lowland areas of Papua New Guinea but 

not yet common. It is an important vegetable in Asia.

248 

Names 

English: Asparagus Scientific name: Asparagus officinalis L. 


Tok ples: Plant family: Liliaceae/Asparagaceae 

Description: A herb. A perennial plant with fern like leaves 

and underground root stock. It grows to 1.5 m high and 

spreads to 1 m across. The stems are erect but often hang 

over at the tips. The branches are soft. The leaves are 

feathery and a rich green colour. The flowers are small and 

greenish. They are of both sexes and occur either singly or in 

clusters of 2-4. The fruit are red berries. They are produced 

on female plants. They are 7-8 mm across. There are 2 or 3 

seeds. 

Distribution: It is a temperate plant. In Papua New Guinea it 

is grown mainly in the highlands at over 1000 m altitude in 

the tropics. It grows up to 2600 m. It can be grown on the 

tropical coast with special management. It prefers humus 

rich, moist, well drained soils. It does best in an open sunny 

position. It is frost resistant but drought tender. In China it 

grows naturally on the steppes in NW Xinjiang. It suits 


Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed. It is best to soak the seeds for 24 hours then sow 

them in a nursery. They are transplanted after 8-12 months. A spacing or 1 m x 1 m is suitable. 

If white shoots are required, the shoots need to be kept covered with soil. Shoots turn green in 

sunlight. Plants can also be grown by division of the clump. 

Production: The first harvest is 18-24 months after planting. The shoots are cut before they 

open out into the ferny erect stems. They are cut below ground level when about 15-20 cm high. 

Use: The young shoots are eaten cooked. They should only be washed just before cooking. 

The tuberous roots of some wild asparagus plants are eaten in China. Young roots should be 

used. 

The seeds have been used as a substitute for coffee. 




Shoots 

Roots 

95.4 52 1.7 0.6 50 16 0.3 

Insects: 


Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: Not widely grown in Papua New Guinea and then mostly near the houses of 

Europeans.

249 

Names 

English: Capsicum, Bell peppers Scientific name: Capsicum annuum var. annuum L. 



Description: An annual plant up to 1.5 m high. The 

leaves can be long and sword shaped or oval to 

rounded. The leaves can be 12 cm long. The flowers 

are produced singly, and are yellow or white. They are 

bell shaped. The flowers are 1.5 cm across and in the 

axils of leaves. Fruit are about 10 cm long and 6 cm 

wide and red when fully ripe. Kinds with different 

shaped fruit also occur. 

Distribution: Plants grow from sea level up to about 

2400 m altitude. They are killed by frost. Soils need to 

be well drained and fertile. The fruit and plants can rot 

in the middle of the wettest seasons. They need a 

temperature above 4°C. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. Both self and cross pollination occur. It is possible to 

save your own seed. Seed will keep for 2 to 3 years. Seeds germinate in 6 - 10 days. Plants can 

be transplanted. Plants need to be about 50 cm apart. About 50% of flowers set fruit. 

Production: The first fruit can be harvested after 3-4 months. 

Use: The fruit are edible raw or cooked. 

The leaves are edible cooked. 




Fruit 

Leaves 

93.5 65 0.9 0.4 59 100 0.2 

Insects: 

Atherigona orientalis Schiner Muscidae (DIPT) Shootfly 

Carpophilus maculatus Murray Nitidulidae (COL) Damaging fruit. 

Dacus bryoniae (Tryon.) Tephritidae (DIPT) Fruit fly 

Dacus musae (Try.) Tephritidae (DIPT) Banana fruit fly 

Dacus trivialis Drew Tephritidae (DIPT) Fruit fly larvae destroying fruit 

Euproctis sp. Lymantriidae (LEP) Reported eating leaves 


Homeoxipha fuscipennis Gryllidae (ORTH) Reported chewing leaves 

Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas) Aphididae (HEM) Potato aphid 

Oribius inimicus Mshl Curculionidae (COL) Shothole weevil 

Pinnaspis strachani (Cooley) Diaspididae (HEM) Armoured scale 

Planococcus pacificus Cox Pseudococcidae (HEM) Mealybug 

Plautia brunneipennis Pentatomidae (HEM) Stink bugs 


Pulvinaria ubicola (Cockerell) Coccidae (HEM) Soft scale 

Thrips tabaci Lind. Thripidae (THYS) Onion thrips 

Silba sp. Lonchaeidae (DIPT) Larvae boring into fruit

250 

Diseases: 



Fruit rot (Anthracnose) Fungus Glomerella cingulata (Stonem) Spauld & Schrenck 

Fruit rot Fungus Curvularia sp. 

Leaf blotch Fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris 

Wilt Fungus Fusarium solani 

Root rot Fungus Pythium sp. 



Storage rot Bacteria Erwinia carotovora 

Bacterial leaf spot Bacteria Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria 

Leaf distortion Virus Possibly potato virus y 

Pests: 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea it is becoming a popular vegetable to eat raw.

251 

Names 

English: Eggplant Scientific name: Solanum melongena L. 



Description: A perennial shrubby herb up to 1 m tall. It is 

often grown as an annual. It has a deep taproot and branched 

side roots. The stem is thick and covered with many woolly 

hairs. The plant has many branches. Often the plant is 

spiny. The leaves are large, alternate and simple. They are 

angular and unequal near the stalk. Leaves can be 20 cm 

long and wavy along the edge. Leaves are covered with 

hairs. Flowers are bluish red and 5 cm across. They are 

either solitary or in small groups opposite the leaves. They 

have 5 large woolly lobes which continue to surround the 

base of the fruit. Fruit are white, blue, green or purple. The 

fruit colour and shape vary. Sometimes the fruit is spiny. 

Often the fruit are 10 to 20 cm long and 5-8 cm wide. 

Numerous kidney shaped seeds are in the flesh of the berry. 

Distribution: A plant of the warm tropics. Plants grow from 

sea level up to 2200 m altitude in the tropics. It suits wet 

climates but does well in dry climates with irrigation. They 

are frost tender. They need a rich, friable, well tilled soil. In 

the subtropics they can be grown as a summer crop. In Nepal 

plants grow to 1500 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 9-12. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seeds. Seeds germinate slowly. Seedlings can be 

transplanted when about 8 cm tall. Plants need to be about 1 m apart. 

Production: Fruit are ready for harvest after 3 months. They continue to yield for 3-4 months. 

Use: Fruit are mostly fried then eaten. They can also be grilled, baked, stuffed and stewed. 

They are used in curries. The fruit are also dried and stored. 

The leaves although edible are hairy and not good flavour. 




Fruit 

Leaves 

91.8 117 0.83 0.4 6 1.3 0.2 

Insects: 

Licyllus albicollis F. Chrysomelidae (COL) 

Psylliodes loriae Jacoby Chrysomelidae (COL) 

Diseases: 


Collar & stem rot Fungus Pythium butleri 


Root rot Fungus Fusarium oxysporum 

Storage rot Fungus Alternaria sp. 

And Botrydiplodia theobromae 

And Curvularia lunata 

Importance: Occasionally seen in most areas of Papua New Guinea.

252 

Names 

English: Pea eggplant Scientific name: Solanum torvum Sw. 



Description: A shrub 1.5-3 m high. The leaves are 

oblong and 10-25 cm long. They can be entire or 

lobed. They often have prickles beneath the midrib. 

The young stem and undeside of leaves are hairy. The 

flower is white and 2 cm across. The fruit are round 

berries, yellow when ripe. They are about 1 cm across. 

They grow in clusters. The seed are roughly circular 

and 2-3 mm across. 

Distribution: In Papua New Guinea it grows from sea 

level to 2000 m altitude. In Cambodia it grows 

between 0 and 1200 m. In Nepal it grows to 1000 m 

altitude. It grows in open, moist places. in Yunnan in 

China it grows between 200-1650 m altitude. 


Production: 

Use: The green unripe fruit are added to curries in Malaysia. 

They are eaten in soup in Cambodia and China. 

They are pickled in Nepal. 

They are used in soup in China. They are also dried and preserved. 

Caution: This plant has been shown to contain poisonous compounds. 


Edible 

part 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

253 

Names 

English: Tomato Scientific name: Lycopersicon esculentum Miller 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Solanum lycopersicum L. 


Description: A short lived perennial plant. It is upright 

but with weak stems. It can grow to 2 m tall with 

support for the stems. The stems have long hairs. It is 

bad smelling. The leaves are deeply lobed with an odd 

number of leaflets. They have irregular teeth around 

the edge. There are up to 12 star shaped flowers on 

each raceme. Flowers are yellow. The fruit are round 

and red when ripe. Yellow coloured fruit also occur. 

There are many varieties. 

Distribution: It grows from sea level to 2400 m 

altitude in the tropics. It needs to be grown in fertile 

soil. For best production it requires much water, plenty 

of sunshine and low night temperatures. It is frost 

susceptible. In Nepal it grows to 1400 m altitude. It 


Cultivation: Plants are sown from seeds. These are normally sown in a nursery and 

transplanted. They can also be grown from cuttings. To give fewer and larger fruit the side 

branches of upright types are removed. Upright plant types need to be tied to stakes. Plants are 

often grafted into stronger rootstocks. 

Production: Harvesting commences after about 14 weeks. Yields can be 3-4 kg of fruit per 

plant. 

Use: The fruit are eaten raw or cooked. 

Caution: Although in a lot of places in Papua New Guinea the leaves are eaten this is probably 

not a good idea. Leaves and green fruit are poisonous. 




Fruit 93.0 88 1.0 0.6 45 26 0.1 

Insects: 


Chrysodeixis eriosoma Doubleday Noctuidae (LEP) Green looper 

Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) Noctuidae (LEP) Tomato grub 

Leptoglossus australis (Fabricius) Coreidae (HEM) Black leaf-footed bug 


Psylliodes sp. Chrysomelidae (COL) 

Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) Noctuidae (LEP) Cluster caterpillar 

Diseases: 

Target spot/ early blight Fungus Alternaria solani Sorauer 

Fruit rot Fungus Athelia rolfsii 

And Phytophthora nicotianae 


And Pythium butleri

254 

And Thanatephorus cucumeris 

Brown mould Fungus Cladosporium fulvum Cooke 

Anthracnose Fungus Colletotrichum sp. 

Leaf spot Fungus Curvularia sp. 

Fruit spot Fungus Didymella lycopersici 

Soft rot fruit Bacteria Erwinia carotovora 

Brown mould Fungus Fulvia fulvum 

Fusarium wilt Fungus Fusarium oxysporium f. lycospersici (Sacc.) Sny. & Hans. 

Wilt and collar rot Fungus Fusarium equiseti 

And Fusarium oxysporum 

Leaf spots Fungal Cercospora spp. 

And Corynespora cassiicola 

And Phoma destructive 

And Septoria lycopersici Speg. 

Leaf spot Fungus Helminthosporium sp. 

Bacterial wilt Bacteria Pseudomonas solanacearum E F Smith 

Brown leaf mould Fungus Pseudocercospora fuligena 

Small leaf spot Fungus Stemphylium lycopersici 

Bacterial leaf spot Bacteria Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria 

Mosaic Virus Tobacco mosaic virus 

Spotted wilt Virus 

Pests: 

Importance: Common in small amounts in most areas of Papua New Guinea but often for sale 

as it is not a popular food.

255 

Names 

English: Carrot Scientific name: Daucus carota L. 



Description: A root crop grown from seed. It can be 

60 cm high and spread to 50 cm wide. The root is long 

in shape and orange in colour. The stem is erect, tough 

and furrowed. The leaves are feathery and divided 3 

times. The leaves have a sheath clasping the stalk at 

the base. The flowers are white and lacy. They form a 

dense compound cluster at the top of the plant. 

Sometimes flowers are only produced into the second 

year of growth, depending on temperature. 

Distribution: In the tropics it is mostly grown in the 

highlands, but will grow from sea level to 2600 m 

altitude. Sometimes on the coast only leaves are 

produced. Carrots are frost resistant. In Nepal carrots 

are grown up to 1700 m altitude. It suits hardiness 

zones 3-9. 

Cultivation: They are grown from seeds sown directly. A spacing 5 cm apart in rows 15-20 cm 

apart is suitable. 

Production: 

Use: Both the roots and the leaves are edible. The young leaves are used in soups. 

The roots can be eaten raw or cooked. 




Roots 

Leaves 

91.5 79 0.6 0.4 2455 4 0.3 

Insects: 


Apirocalus cornutus Pasc. Curculionidae (COL) Horned weevil 


Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria dauci (Kuhn) Groves & Skolko 


Pests: 

Importance: Within Papua New Guinea carrots are not common but are occasionally seen in 

gardens in many areas of the country. Often it is grown for sale.

256 

Names 

English: Lettuce Scientific name: Lactuca sativa L. 



Description: A leafy vegetable which forms a heart or clump 

of tightly wrapped leaves under cool temperature conditions. 

The leaves are often pale green. Plants are about 20 cm high. 

In the tropics a leafy annual grown for its succulent crisp 

radical leaves. The lowland species has loose leaves, 

crumpled with frilly margins while the leaves of the highland 

variety fold over the growing point to form a head; with light 

green almost white leaves of a greasy texture and coarse 

veins and prominent midrib. There are many lettuce varieties 

Distribution: Plants are grown throughout the country of Papua New Guinea but particularly in 

the highlands and mainly for sale. Leafy forms are used in cooking in many parts of Asia. It 


Cultivation: Plants are grown from seeds and often transplanted. Seeds need to be sown very 

shallowly. In hot places lettuce develops a bitter taste if transplanted or checked in their growth. 

Cutting the tap root can stop plants seeding quickly. 

Production: 

Use: Eaten raw or in soups. 




Leaves 94.0 84 1.2 0.7 180 15 0.2 

Insects: 

Agrotis interjectionis Guenee Noctuidae (LEP) 

Ananipa sp. Gryllidae (ORTH) 


Apirocalus terrestris Thompson Curculionidae (COL) Horned weevil 

Cassida sp. Chrysomelidae (COL) 

Cicadella sp. Cicadellidae (HEM) 

Coelophora inaequalis Fab. Coccinellidae (HEM) 

Euscyrtus hemelytrus (de Haan) Gryllidae (ORTH) 

Helicoverpa armigera Hubner Noctuidae (LEP) Corn earworm 

Kolla sp. Cicadellidae (HEM) 

Spodoptera litura (Fab.) Noctuidae (LEP) Cluster caterpillar 

Diseases: 

Mosaic possibly Virus 


Leaf spot Fungus Septoria lactucae Pass. 


Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora brassicicola & Cercospora longissima 



Mosaic Possibly virus 

Importance: It has social significance to affluent people. It is mostly grown for sale in highland 

areas of Papua New Guinea.

Minor vegetables 

257

Minor and less common vegetables 

258 


Globe artichoke Cynara scolymus 259 

Parsley Petroselinum crispum 260 

Parsnip Pastinaca sativa 261 

New Guinea edible Mambu Nastus elatus 262 

bamboo 

Giant bamboo Dendrocalamus asper 263 

Giant bamboo Dendrocalamus giganteus 264 

Alfalfa, Lucerne Medicago sativa 265 

Endive Cichorium endivia subsp. endivia 266 

Chicory, Witloof Cichorium intybus 267 

Common bamboo Mambu Bambusa vulgaris 268 

Native bamboo Bambusa forbesii 269 

Buckwheat Fagopyrum esculentum 270 

Beetroot Beta vulgaris 271 

Sunflower Helianthus annuus 272

259 

Names 

English: Globe artichoke Scientific name: Cynara scolymus L. 



Description: A thistle like perennial plant. It grows 1- 

2 m high and spreads to 1 m across. It forms a clump. 

It has deeply lobed leaves. The leaves are 80 cm long. 

They are greyish green above. They have a woolly, 

white surface underneath. The flower is purple and 

surrounded by green bracts. It forms a large head. The 

flower head is about 8-15 cm across. 

Distribution: A Mediterranean plant. It can be grown 

in the highlands in the tropics. It suits drier areas. It 

prefers deep, rich, alkaline soils in an open sunny 

position. It is frost resistant but drought tender. 

Cultivation: Plants can be grown by seed or suckers. It 

is best to grow the seeds in a nursery and then 

transplant them. It can also be grown by dividing up a 

mature clump. 

Production: The flower buds can be produced over a 2 

or 3 year period. 

Use: The fleshy bracts of the flower and the base of the flower head are boiled and eaten. They 

can be used in soups. (To stop the cut artichoke turning brown in air, they can be dipped in 

lemon juice.) 




Flower 84.0 209 3.5 1.3 177 10 0.5 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: Not commonly seen in Papua New Guinea although apparently gaining some 

acceptance in some areas.

260 

Names 

English: Parsley Scientific name: Petroselinum crispum (Miller)Nym 



Description: A short lived perennial plant. Often it 

grows and flowers over two years. It forms clumps and 

is a hairless plant. It has stems up to 50 cm long which 

are upright and with grooves. They branch. Several 

stems come from the top of the fattened taproot. It 

spreads to 50 cm across. The leaflets are finely 

divided. They are fern like and dark green. They are 

triangular and divided 3 times. They are divided into 

toothed segments about 3 cm long. They have a stong 

smell. The flowers are greenish white and star shaped. 

They occur at the ends of branches. The flowers are 

flat topped and up to 4 cm across. There are about 30 

variations of curled parsley. Some are more tightly 

curled than others. 

Distribution: It can be grown from sea level up to 2400 m altitude in the tropics. It grows best 

in moderately cool, shady and humid conditions. It can grow well in full sunlight but also in 

slight shade. Young plants can be damaged by frost. It suits hardiness zones 7-9. 

Cultivation: It is grown from seed and transplanted. Seeds are slow to germinate. They can be 

sown directly where they are to grow. Seed are collected by cutting flowers before they ripen 

then shaking the seeds out onto a cloth. 

Production: 

Use: The plant becomes bitter after flowering. 

The leaves are used for flavouring. 




Leaves 78.7 88 5.2 8.0 7000 150 0.9 

Insects: 

Phytometra orichalcaea (F.) Noctuidae (LEP) Larvae of a moth 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance:

261 

Names 

English: Parsnip Scientific name: Pastinaca sativa L. 



Description: A plant with long thickened tap root. The 

stems are angular and have grooves along them. The 

leaves are divided. The ones near the base have 5-11 

lobes. These are oval and have teeth along the edge. 

The thickened root is yellowish white. 

Wild parsnip grows in some temperate places. It has a 

very strong parsnip smell. It can be used as food. 

Distribution: It grows in the highlands in the tropics 

from 1700-2600 m altitude. It is frost resistant. It suits 


Cultivation: Plants are grown from seeds. 

Production: Plants are slow growing. The taste is best 

after the first frosts. 

Use: The root is cooked and eaten. It can be boiled, baked, fried or used in stews. 

The root of wild parsnip is normally washed, peeled, cooked in salt water then strained and 

added to soups. 




Root 83.2 238 1.3 0.5 0 10 0.1 

Insects: 

Halticus tibialis Reuter Miridae (HEM) Grass bug 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea, it is not widely grown and not liked by many people.

262 

Names 

English: New Guinea Edible Bamboo Scientific name: Nastus elatus Holtumm 

Tok pisin: Mambu Synonyms: 


Description: A large bamboo with stalks 20 m long 

and 5 -6 cm across. The leaves are fine and narrow. It 

produces large clumps. 

Distribution: It grows in the highlands between about 

1200 m and 1900 m altitude. It only occurs in PNG. 

Clumps are planted near highland houses. 

Cultivation: It is planted by dividing an old clump and 

planting the shoots. It can also be grown from cuttings. 

Production: New shoots are produced throughout the year. 

Use: The pith in the centre of young shoots is eaten after cooking. 



part 

Shoots 

% KJ g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Insects: 


Locusta migratoria (L.) Acrididae (ORTH) Migratory locust 

Diseases: 

Leaf blotch Fungus Trematosphaerella bambusae (Miyake & Hara) Hino & Katumoto 

Pests: 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea, most highland families maintain at least one clump to use as 

containers and they eat surplus shoots. 

Zinc 

mg

263 

Names 

English: Giant bamboo Scientific name: Dendrocalamus asper 

(Roemer & Schultes) Backer ex K. Heyne 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Bambusa aspera Schult. & Schult. f. 


Description: A very large densely tufted 

bamboo. It forms large groves. The 

culms or stems can be 20-30 m high. 

The clumps can spread 12-24 m wide. 

The stalks are 15-20 cm across. They 

are covered with fine velvety brown 

hairs when young. The internodes can 

be 10-20 cm long lower down and 30-50 

cm long higher up. The nodes are 

swollen. The lowest nodes have many 

aerial roots. The nodes in the middle 

and higher have branches. The culm 

sheath is 20-40 cm long by 20-25 cm 

wide. The leaf blade is 30 cm long by 

2.5 cm wide. 

Distribution: A tropical bamboo. In tropical Asia it grows from sea level to 1500 m altitude. It 

does best between 400-500 m altitude. It grows best on heavy soils with good drainage. It suits 


Cultivation: It can be grown from rhizomes, culm or branch cuttings. The spacing is 5-10 m 

apart. Mulching is essential to produce young shoots. 

Production: The shoots emerge in the rainy season. They develop to their full height in one 

year. A good healthy clump can produce several shoots each year. A good clump with 10 culms 

can produce 60 shoots in one year. The edible portion of young shoots is 5.4 kg before peeling 

and 1.8 kg after peeling. A well established plantation can produce 10 tonnes/ha/yr of edible 

shoots. 

Use: The tender shoots are eaten as a vegetable or pickled in vinegar or salted. 

The shoots have good canning quality. 


Edible 

part 

Shoots 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: It is not known if this bamboo is used for food in Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

264 

Names 

English: Giant bamboo Scientific name: Dendrocalamus giganteus Munro 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Bambusa gigantea Wallich ex Munro 


Description: A clump forming bamboo. It can be 25- 

30-50 m tall. It has rhizomes which spread. The 

clumps can be 10-15 m wide. The canes can be 35 cm 

across. They are erect and jointed. The nodes are 

hairy. The leaf blades are sword shaped and smooth 

with fine teeth along the edge. The leaves can be 55 

cm long. These clasp the canes at their base. The 

flower is a long panicle which droops. 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant. It often grows in 

high mountains. It must have temperatures above 5°C. 

They are frost tender. It cannot tolerate drought. It 

prefers rich moist soil. In Nepal it grows between 200- 

1300 m altitude. 

Cultivation: The plants can be grown from seed. They can also be grown by dividing 

established clumps. Sections of the young stalk will shoot if cut and placed horizontally in a 

growing medium in a warm place. The cuttings should be 50 cm long and planted 20 cm deep. 

Production: Young shoots can grow at the rate of 30 cm a day. 

Use: Young shoots are eaten as a vegetable. 



part 

Shoots 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: It is widely used for building, water pipes and other uses. It is not known if it is 

used for food in Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

265 

Names 

English: Alfalfa, Lucerne Scientific name: Medicago sativa L. 



Description: An erect or spreading legume. It grows to 

80 cm high and spreads to 30-80 cm wide. It forms 

deep roots. It keeps growing from year to year. The 

stems are slender and hairy. The leaves are bluish 

green. The leaves have 3 leaflets like clover. The 

leaflets are oval or narrow. They are 3 cm long. The 

flowers are mauve. They appear in long stalked 

bunches. The fruit are small sickle shaped pods. The 

pods are deep brown. 

Distribution: It will grow in warm and temperate 

climates. It suits hardiness zones 4-8. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed sown where they are to grow. Plants can be 10 cm 

apart. Plants can be cut back to encourage new growth for the young leaves. 

Production: The first picking of young leaves can be made 3-4 weeks after sowing. 

Use: Seeds are often sprouted and the young sprouts eaten raw. 

Young leaves are eaten cooked. 

The dried and powdered leaves and flowers can be used as tea. 




Sprouts 

Leaves 

91.2 122 4.0 1.0 155 8.2 0.9 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: The sprouts are probably only used by expatriates and educated indigenes.

266 

Names 

English: Endive Scientific name: Cichorium endivia subsp. endivia L. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Cichorium endivia var. crispum Lam. 


Description: An annual plant, or one which grows one 

year, then flowers the next. It grows 20-50 cm high 

and spreads 20-50 cm wide. The plant looks a lot like 

lettuce but the leaves are wrinkled near the edge. 

Distribution: Plants grow from sea level up to 2600 m 

altitude in the tropics. It needs a fertile soil and the soil 

needs to be well drained. It is more tolerant to heat, 

than lettuce. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. They are often transplanted. A spacing of 30 cm x 30 

cm is suitable. Covering the plants for 2-3 weeks before harvesting, makes the leaves whiter, 

more tender and less bitter. It is possible to save seed. Plants which form a heart are covered 

with a cloth or pot to blanch them and reduce the bitterness. 

Production: Plants are ready about three months after transplanting. 

Use: The leaves are eaten raw or cooked. They have a slightly bitter taste. 

The broadleafed kinds are used in stews and the curled-leaf kinds are used in salads. 




Leaves 93.7 47 1.8 2.8 2000 12 0.3 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria cichorii Nattrass. 

Pests: 

Importance: Not widely grown in Papua New Guinea.

267 

Names 

English: Chicory, Witloof Scientific name: Cichorium intybus L. 



Description: A perennial herb up to 1 m high. It forms 

clumps. It has white, milky sap when parts are broken 

off. Kinds have been selected either for their fattened 

edible roots or for their edible leaves. The plant has a 

large taproot. The leaves are sword shaped and have 

teeth along the edge. The leaves form a cluster around 

the base of the plant. They can be 12 cm long. The 

leaves up the stem clasp the stem. The highest leaves 

are reduced to bracts. It has a bright blue, pink or white 

flowers on a branched stem. The flowers are 

dandelion-like. The flower heads can be 3.5 cm across. 

Several cultivated varieties have been produced. 

Distribution: A Mediterranean plant. It grows in the 

highlands in the tropics. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. Seed are sown 15 mm apart, in rows 20 cm apart. 

Seedlings do not transplant easily. Young tender shoots are formed by stripping roots of their 

leaves then covering with soil. Roots the size of a parsnip are harvested. These are then planted 

upside down in trenches in sand and after a few weeks more soil is added to exclude all light. 

The chicons are ready to use in 9-12 weeks. 

Production: Roasted chicory is made by digging up the taproot washing them cutting and drying 

the root then roasting. 

Use: The leaves and plant are eaten raw or cooked. They are bitter. Young leaves are less bitter. 

They are used in soups. 

The roots of some kinds are dried, roasted and powdered then added to coffee. 

The flowers can be used in salads. 

The large blanched heads are steamed or served raw. 




Stem 96.2 71 0.8 0.3 3 4 0.2 

Leaves 92.0 96 1.7 0.9 4 24 0.4 

Roots 80.0 305 1.4 0.8 1 5 0.3 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria cichorii Natrass 

Pests: 

Importance: Mainly in the gardens of expatriates within Papua New Guinea.

268 

Names 

English: Common bamboo Scientific name: Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. ex Wendl. 

Tok pisin: Mambu Synonyms: 


Description: An erect clump forming spineless 

bamboo. It is a large bamboo with strong stalks used 

for buildings. The stalks can be 20 m tall and 5-10 cm 

across at the base. They are often not straight. The 

stalks can be green and glossy or yellow or yellow with 

green stripes. It very rarely flowers. The distinctive 

culm sheath (top of the leaf that is wrapped around the 

stalk) helps identify the plant. The culm sheath is 

triangular and 15-45 cm long by 20 cm wide. The 

edges are hairy. The leaf blade is 6-30 cm long by 1-4 

cm wide. 

Distribution: It grows throughout the tropics and 

subtropics. It grows up to 1,200 m altitude. It does 

best at low altitudes. It can stand frost down to -3°C. It 

has been introduced to PNG and is common in the 

lowlands. (A different large bamboo is grown and eaten 

in the highlands of Papua New Guinea.) It suits 


Cultivation: It is easily grown by planting cut portions of the green stalks. It can also be grown 

from shoots off the rhizome or underground stem and from branches. 

Production: Offsets can produce mature clumps in 7 years. They grow very quickly. Haulms 

can grow 4 m high in 2 weeks. 

Use: The very young shoots are cooked and eaten. 

They are cooked and pickled. 


Edible 

part 

Shoots 

Insects: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungus Phaeoisariopsis bambusae 

Leaf spot Fungus Plectronidium minor 

Pests: 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: The plant is widespread in Papua New Guinea and is important for building. As a 

food plant it is only of minor importance. 

Zinc 

mg

269 

Names 

English: Native Bamboo Scientific name: Bambusa forbesii (Ride)Holttum 



Description: A scrambling bamboo which grows up to 

about 5 m tall and has canes about 3 cm across. There 

are several woody light coloured stems. It forms thick 

clumps which are hard to penetrate. The leaves are 20- 

50 cm long by 6-10 cm wide and rounded at the base. 

The leaves are light green. There are distinct hairs on 

the leaf sheath where the blade joins the stalk. The leaf 

sheath completely surrounds the stem. It flowers 

almost continually and doesn't die after flowering. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. It grows from sea level 

up to about 1250 m altitude in Papua New Guinea. 

Often the plant grows near watercourses that are 

flooded in wet seasons. It is very sensitive to cold. 

Cultivation: It is planted from cuttings of the cane. They take a little over a year to become 

established and produce edible shoots. They also grow wild. To stop clumps spreading the 

rhizome below the ground level needs to be chopped through. Young plants are not easily 

transplanted. Rooted shoots near the base can be separated off and replanted. 

Production: 

Use: The young shoots are harvested and cooked and treated like a pitpit. 


Edible 

part 

Shoots 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: It occurs fairly widely as a self sown plant and is a minor food in several areas. It 

is cultivated in gardens at Kutubu in Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

270 

Names 

English: Buckwheat Scientific name: Fagopyrum esculentum Moench 


Tok ples: Plant family: Polygonaceae 

Description: An upright annual plant up to 1 m high. It 

spreads to 1 m across. It has angular hollow stems. 

These are erect and branching. Leaves are heart shaped 

or triangular and small. It has groups of white or pink 

flowers. These have a smell. They occur in clusters at 

the ends of branches. Fruit are small and 3 angled. The 

plants are not grasses but the seeds are normally 

grouped with other grain crops. 

Distribution: It can be grown at high altitudes in the 

tropics. It will grow on poor soils. It prefers rich soils 

and a protected sunny position. It is resistant to frost 

but damaged by drought. In Nepal it grows between 

1000-2500 m altitude. In Uttar Pradesh it grows up to 

3000 m altitude. 


Production: Seeds usually germinate in 5 days. It has a very short growing period from sowing 

to maturity. It can produce a crop of leaves in 8 weeks and seeds in 12 weeks. Seed ripen 

irregularly over several weeks making harvesting difficult. Under cool conditions plants flower 

in 7-9 months. Commercial grain yields in Australia have been up to 2.5 tonnes/ha. In India 

yields of 600-800 kg/ha are achieved. 

Use: The seeds are eaten in porridge and biscuits etc. 

Seeds can be soaked overnight then sprouted and eaten. 

The tender leaves and shoots are cooked and eaten. 

Caution: The seeds are used mainly for flour and stock feed. Seeds are bitter. If they are eaten 

in large amounts they can produce an unpleasant skin disorder. 


Edible 

part 

Seeds 

Sprouts 

Leaves 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

271 

Names 

English: Beetroot Scientific name: Beta vulgaris L. 



Description: A dark green leafed plant. The plant is 

upright and about 20 cm tall. It can be grown as an 

annual plant. The leaves vary in shape and colour. 

They can be oval with an irregular wavy edge. They 

can be dark green or reddish. It has a round or 

elongated fattened root. The root is red in colour. 

(White varieties also occur). The flowers are small and 

green and have both sexes. They occur in flower 

arrangements with the end bud a flower bud. This 

forms a tall, branching, spike-like arrangement. The 

fruit are one seed. Often 2 or more seeds are joined 

together in a "seedball". 

Distribution: It is a temperate climate plant. It is 

mainly in the highlands between 1150 and 2600 m 

altitude in the tropics. Plants are frost resistant. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. Normally the plants are planted in the final site 

because transplanting is difficult. When the small clump of seeds or seed ball are planted more 

than one seedling will result. 

Production: 

Use: The red tubers are eaten after cooking. The root is also dried and powdered and the flour 

mixed with barley or wheat. 

They are often boiled, sliced and served with vinegar. 

Tops or leaves are edible. They are cooked in soups and stews. 




Root 82.7 189 1.8 0.4 4 5 0.4 

Leaves 89.0 113 2.6 1.9 510 25 0.5 

Insects: 

Alcidodes sp. Curculionidae (COL) Weevil 


Henosepilachna signatipennis (Boisd.) Coccinellidae (COL) Leaf eating ladybird 

Spoladea recurvalis Fabricius Pyralidae (LEP) Beet webworm 

Diseases: 


Blossom blight Fungus Choanephora cucurbitarum (Berk & Rav.)Thaxter 

Pests: 

Importance: Not often seen in Papua New Guinea.

272 

Names 

English: Sunflower Scientific name: Helianthus annuus L. 



Description: An upright annual plant. It varies in 

height from 1-4 m. It has a strong tap root. Plants are 

mostly unbranched but may have some branches. The 

stems are hairy. The leaves are large and oval to heart 

shaped. They have teeth around the edges. They are 

roughly hairy and mid to dark green. Leaves can be 10- 

40 cm long by 5-20 cm wide. The leaf stalk is long. 

The flowers are yellow and daisy like. Flowers are 9- 

20 cm across. Sometimes they are tinged red or purple. 

Distribution: It suits the highlands of the tropics and 

can stand a light frost. It needs a well drained soil. It 

prefers a rich soil. It is drought and frost resistant. 

Sunflowers grow from the equator to 55°N latitude. 

They do not suit the wet tropics. They cannot tolerate 

very acid soils. In Nepal it grows up to 600 m altitude. 


Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. Only well filled seed should be planted. It is easy to 

save your own seed. Dry seed stores well. It will grow on most soils. A plant spacing of 1 m by 

0.5 m is suitable. Seed are sown at a depth of 2-4 cm. At maturity heads are collected by hand 

and dried then threshed. 

Production: Time to maturity is usually 4-5 months. Seeds are ready to eat when the flower 

starts to wither. 

Use: An edible oil is extracted from the seeds and used for cooking. 

Sometimes seeds are eaten raw or roasted. 

The seeds can be ground into a meal for using in bread and cakes. 

They are also dried, roasted and ground and used as a coffee substitute. 




Seed 5.4 2385 22.8 6.8 5 1.4 5.1 

Insects: 


Helicoverpa armigera Hubner Noctuidae (LEP) Corn earworm 

Helicoverpa punctigera Wallengren Noctuidae (LEP) Corn earworm 


Oribius cinereus Mshl. Curculionidae (COL) Shot hole weevil 


Phaneroptera brevis Serv. Tettigoniidae (ORTH) Longhorn grasshopper 

Phytometra orichalcaea (F) Noctuidae (LEP) 

Plautia brunneipennis Pentatomidae (HEM) Stink bug 


Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: A major crop for oil seed. The seeds contain 40% oil. It is only a minor food in 

Papua New Guinea.

Grains and cereals 

273

Grains and cereals 

274 


Rice Rais Oryza sativa 275 

Wild rice Oryza rufipogon 278 

Sorghum Sorghum bicolor 279 

Wheat Triticum aestivum 280 

Bermuda grass Eleusine indica 281 

Job’s tears Coix lachryma-jobi 282

275 

Names 

English: Rice Scientific name: Oryza sativa L. 



Description: An annual grass with hollow stems. The 

stems can be 30 cm to 150 cm tall. (Floating varieties 

can be 5 m long.) The nodes are solid and swollen. 

The stem is protected by a skin layer which can often 

be high in silicon. A clump of shoots are produced as 

tillers from buds in the lower leaf axils. The leaves are 

narrow and hairy. They taper towards the tip. Each 

stem produces 10-20 leaves and the seeds hang from 

the flower stalk at the top. 

Distribution: It grows in tropical and subtropical 

countries. Plants are grown in both flooded and 

dryland sites. It will grow over a range of conditions 

but is normally between sea level and 900 metres 

altitude in the tropics. Occasionally it is grown up to 

1600 m. In Nepal it grows to about 2800 m altitude. It 


Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. Seed can be sown direct or in a nursery and 

transplanted. For dryland crops - 5 to 10 seeds in holes 20 to 25 cm apart. For transplanting 2 or 

3 plants as a 20 x 20 cm spacing is suitable. Weed control is a problem in the early stages. 

Flooding can be used for weed control. 

Production: The glumes are removed to produce husked rice. Polishing removes the integument 

giving polished rice. Rice development takes 90 to 200 days depending on variety. 

Use: The grains are boiled and eaten after the husks are removed by pounding and winnowing. 

Rice noodles and rice flour can be produced. 

Rice can be used to make alcoholic drinks. 


Edible part Moisture Energy Protein Calcium Iron proVit A proVit C 


Seed white 11.4 4.8 1.0 0 

Seed brown 8.0 2.5 

Insects: 

Amorbus rhombeus Westw. Pentatomidae (HEM) 


Atherigona oryzae Malloch Muscidae (DIPT) Paddy stemfly 

Blissus sp. Lygaeidae (HEM) 

Borbo cinnara Wallace Hesperiidae (LEP) 

Borbo impar tetragraphus Mab. Hesperiidae (LEP) Borbo butterfly 

Bothrichara palliata Macleay Cerambycidae (COL) 

Brevennia rehi (Lindinger) Pseudococcidae (HEM) Mealybug of rice 

Caenoblissus pilosus (Barber) Lugaeidae (HEM) Chinch bugs 

Chaetocnema basalis (Baly) Chrysomelidae (COL) 

Chilo auricilius (Dudg.) Pyralidae (LEP) Gold-fringed rice borer 

Chilo infuscatellus Snellin Pyralidae (LEP) 

Zinc 

mg

276 

Chilo suppressalis (Walker) Pyralidae (LEP) Purple lined rice stem borer 

Cicadella spectra (Dist.) Cicadellidae (HEM) White jassid 

Cicindela decem-guttata urvillei Dejean Cicindellidae (COL) 

Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Gn.) Pyralidae (LEP) Rice leaf roller 

Cnaphalocrocis poeyalis Boisduval Pyralidae (LEP) Rice leaf rollers 

Coronacella kirkaldyi Muir Delphacidae (HEM) 

Cyrtorhinus lividipennis Reuter Miridae (HEM) Predator of Nilaparvata lugens 

Dimorphopterus cornutus Slater Lygaeidae (HEM) 

Dimorphopterus sp. Lygaeidae (HEM) 

Eysarcoris ventralis West. Pentatomidae (HEM) 

Gonocephalum ochthebioides Ful. Tenebrionidae (COL) False wireworm 

Gryllotalpa africana Pal. Gryllotalpidae (ORTH) Mole crickets 

Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) Noctuidae (LEP) Corn earworm 

Leptocorisa acuta (Thunberg) Alydidae (HEM) Paddy bugs 

Leptocorisa discoidalis Alydidae (HEM) Paddy bugs 

Leptocorisa oratorius (Fab.) Alydidae (HEM) Paddy bugs 

Leptocorisa palawanensis Alydidae (HEM) Paddy bugs 

Leptocorisa solomonensis Ahmad Alydidae (HEM) Paddy bugs 


Lophops sp. Lophopidae (HEM) 

Maliarpha separatella Rag. Pyralidae (LEP) White stem borer 

Marasmia spp. Pyralidae (LEP) Rice leaf rollers 

Marasmia bilineatis Pyralidae (LEP) Rice leaf rollers 

Marasmia hexagona Pyralidae (LEP) Rice leaf rollers 

Meijerella inaequalis Becker Chloropidae (DIPT) 

Melanitis ledabankia F. Nymphalidae (LEP) Evening brown butterfly 

Meninda bisignata Walker Pentatomidae (HEM) 

Mythimna loreyi (Dup.) Noctuidae (COL) Rice armyworms 

Mythimna separata (Walk.) Noctuidae (COL) Rice armyworms 

Nephotettix apicalis (Motsch.) Jassidae (HEM) Green rice leafhopper 


Nilaparvata lugens Haseg Delphacidae (HEM) Brown backed rice planthopper 

Ostrinia furnacalis (Guen.) Pyralidae (LEP) Maize stem borer 

Oxya japonica (Thnb.) Acrididae (ORTH) 

Oxya vittigera (Blanch) Acrididae (ORTH) 

Pachybrachius nervosus Horv. Lygaeidae (HEM) 

Pelopidas agna dingo Evans Hesperiidae (LEP) 

Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch.) Aphididae (HEM) Corn leaf aphid 

Saccharicoccus sacchari (Cockerell) Pseudococcidae (HEM) Sugarcane mealy bug 

Scirpophaga innotata (Walker) Pyralidae (LEP) White rice borer 

Sesamia inferens (Walker) Noctuidae (LEP) Violet rice stem borer 

Sogatella furcifera Horvath Delphacidae (HEM) White backed rice planthopper 



Spodoptera mauritia (Boisduval) Noctuidae (LEP) Paddy armyworm 

Stenocatantops augustifrons (Walker) Acrididae (ORTH) 

Tetraneura nigriabdominalis (Sas.) Aphididae (HEM) Rice root aphid 

Trypopsilopa chinensis Wiedimann Ephydridae (DIPT) 

Valanga irregularis (Walker) Acrididae (ORTH) Giant grasshopper 

Valanga nigricornis (Burm.) Acrididae (ORTH) Javanese grasshopper 


Diseases: 

Rot at base of plant Fungus Athelia rolfsii 

Narrow brown leaf spot Fungus Cercospora oryzae 

Leaf spot & on grains Fungi Cochliobolus cynodontis

277 

(As Brown spot) and Fungus Cochliobolus geniculatus 

and Cochliobolus hawaiiensis 

and Cochliobolus miyabeanus 

Leaf smut Fungus Entyloma oryzae 

Seedling blight Fungus Fusarium lateritium 

Foot rot Fungus Gibberella fujikuroi 

Brown sheath rot Fungus Gaeumannomyces graminis 

Stem rot rice Fungus Magnaporthe salvinii 

Leaf blotch Fungus Metasphaeria oryzae-sativae 

White leaf streak Fungus Mycovellosiella oryzae 

Glume blotch Fungus Phaeoseptoria oryzae 

Sheath blight Fungus Thanatephorus sasakii 

Leaf spot Fungus Trichoconiella padwickii 

False smut Fungus Ustilaginoidea virens 

Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne sp. 

(Also several fungi isolated off stored grain.) 

Pests: 

Importance: Although rice is a very popular food, rice is only grown on a small scale in several 

coastal areas of Papua New Guinea.

278 

Names 

English: Wild rice Scientific name: Oryza rufipogon Griff. 



Description: It is wild rice. It has swollen roots. 

Distribution: It grows on the edges of ponds or 

floating on water. 

Cultivation: In Rajasthan in India, seed are produced in September to November. 

Production: 

Use: The seeds are eaten like rice. 



part 

Seed 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

279 

Names 

English: Sorghum Scientific name: Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Sorghum vulgare Pers., nom. illeg. 


Description: A millet grass. A mature sorghum plant 

resembles maize. Plants vary in height from 45 cm to 4 

m. It is an annual grass with erect solid stems. The 

stems can be 3 cm across at the base. Under the ground 

there is a widely branching extensive root system. Prop 

roots occur near the base. There are a range of different 

types of sorghum. Some have one main stem while 

others have many tillers. There are more tillers when 

plants are widely spaced. The nodes on the stem are 

slightly thickened. The distance between nodes is 

shortest near the base of the plant. Short eagerly kinds 

have 7 leaves while tall late varieties may have 24 

leaves. The leaf blade can be 30-135 cm long. Leaves 

are bluish green and waxy. They have a prominent 

midrib. The large flower panicle can be 20-40 cm long. 

The flower occurs at the top of the plant. It can stick 

upright or bend over. The flower can be open or 

compact. There are several different varieties. 

Distribution: It suits the savannah zones in the tropics. It tolerates heat and drought. It can 

recover from drought even as a seedling. It can tolerate waterlogging. It can be grown on heavy 

or light soils. Sorghum needs short daylengths to flower. Many kinds are adapted to specific 

daylength and rainfall patterns. It suits hardiness zones 9-12. 

Cultivation: Sorghum seeds will germinate soon after harvest. The seeds also store well if kept 

dry and protected from insects. 

Production: Grain is ready for harvest 4-8 weeks after flowering. 

Use: Flour is prepared then used for porridge or other dishes. It cannot be used for bread as it 

contains no gluten. 

The stems of some kinds are sweet and are chewed. 


Edible 

part 

Seed 

Stems 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: One of the most important cereals of the semi-arid tropics. It is the most important 

native African cereal. It is grown on 50 million hectares in Africa. It is mainly only used for 

poultry and stock food in Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

280 

Names 

English: Wheat Scientific name: Triticum aestivum L. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Triticum vulage Vill. 


Description: An annual grass. It easily 

forms tillers to produce a clump of 

shoots. Plants grow between 30 and 80 

cm tall. The stems are erect and simple. 

They are usually without hairs. The 

stems have 5-7 nodes and are hollow 

between these. The leaf sheath is 

wrapped around the stem. It is entire at 

the lower section but split further up. 

The strap like part where the leaf blade 

forms is coourless and jagged. The 

blade is flat, narrow and pointed. It is 

about 20-37 cm long and 1.2 cm wide. 

The veins are parallel. The flower stalk or ear is at the end of the stem as a compound spike. It 

is 5-10 cm long. There are 2 rows of spikelets along each side. Usually 2 grains per spike 

develop and these are oval with a groove along the centre. There is a tuft of hairs at the end. 

Distribution: A temperate plant. It is grown st higher altitudes in the subtropics and tropics. In 

East Africa most wheat is grown between 1,600 and 3,000 m altitude. The best temperature for 

germination is about 29°C and the minimum temperature about 4°C. Under good conditions 

seeds germinate in about 4-5 days. In Nepal it grows to about 3,000 m altitude. Wheat can be 

grown to 57°N in Britain. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. 

Cultivation: Seed should be sown into a clean weed free seedbed. Seeds can be broadcast or 

drilled. Seed should be 2.5-5 cm deep and plants 20-25 cm apart. 

Production: Spring wheat has a growing period of 100 days or more. The rainfall of most wheat 

areas is 750 mm per year or less. In the tropics maturity varies between 95 and 150 days. 

Yields of 1,420 kg per ha are world average. 

Use: Wheat is mostly ground for flour. It is used for bread, chapaties and a range of doughs and 

cakes. 


Edible 

part 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: It has been tried in trials in the equatorial highlands but most wheat is imported. It 

is a major import into Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

281 

Names 

English: Bermuda grass Scientific name: Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. 



Description: A tufted annual grass. It grows up to 0.6 

m tall. It has many branches from the base and tough 

wiry stems. The stems are slender and flattened. The 

leaves are 17 cm long and 3-8 mm wide. The leaves 

are covered with a bluish-green bloom. They are 

folded. The flower spikes are divided like fingers on a 

hand except for one which is single and below. The 

flowers do not have stalks and the flower spikes are 4- 

15 cm long. The seed heads shatter at maturity 

dropping their seed. 

Distribution: It is mainly a tropical and subtropical 

plant. In the tropics it grows from sea level to 1800 m 

altitude. It tends to grow in places high in nitrogen. It 

grows on clayey soil. 

Cultivation: It is mostly self sown from seed. Seed are spread in animal manure. 

Production: It Australia plants flower and fruit in April. 

Use: The seeds are used as food in times of food shortage. 

The young shoots are eaten. 



part 

Shoots 

Seeds 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

282 

Names 

English: Job’s tears Scientific name: Coix lachryma-jobi Linnaeus 



Description: A millet grass. It is a loosely tufted, tall, 

annual grass. It grows up to 1-2 m high with long 

slender leaves. The stems have a soft, white, centre 

inside. The leaves can be 60 cm long and 3-5 cm wide. 

The sheath of the leaf around the stem, is short. The 

flower stalk is long and arching. Male and female 

flowers are in separate spikes on the flowering stalk. 

The female flowers have a hard covering which 

changes from green to black to white, as it ripens. 

Male flowers are small and on top. The seed is like a 

bead and used for necklaces. They are 1.5 cm long. 

The seeds are green when young, and turn to pearly 

grey or purple when mature. 

Distribution: A tropical and subtropical plant. It 

grows wild and semi-cultivated in many areas of Papua 

New Guinea. It is well suited to grow in swampy 

places. It grows up to 2000 m altitude in the tropics. It 


Cultivation: Plants are grown by seed. It grows wild in many swampy places. Seed are sown 5 

cm deep. Plants are spaced at 40-60 cm. 

Production: Seeds are ready to harvest about 5 months after sowing. On poor soils in dry 

conditions, hollow fruits may be produced. The tough seed shell has to be broken. 

Use: The seeds are eaten raw. They can be cooked like rice. 

The seeds can be crushed to produce a cereal flour. 




Seed 12.5 588 15.0 0 0 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora sp. 

Tar spot Fungi Phyllachora coicis P.Henn 

And Phyllachora graminis Fuch. 

Rust Fungus Puccinia operta Mundk. & Thirum. 

Leaf galls and mosaic Viruses 

Pests: 

Importance: Common in most areas of Papua New Guinea but rarely eaten. It is eaten often in 

some places e.g. Mendi Valley. Similarly in many tropical countries, the thin shelled form is 

used as food. 

Zinc 

mg

Nymphaea violacea 

283 

Waterlilies 

Nymphaea pubescens 

Nelumbo nucifera

Waterlilies 

284 


Lotus root Nelumbo nucifera 285 

Giant waterlily Nymphaea gigantea 286 

Nymphaea lotus var. pubescens 287 

Nymphaea macrosperma 288 

Tiny waterlily Nymphaea nouchali 289 

Blue waterlily Nymphaea violacea 290

285 

Names 

English: Lotus root Scientific name: Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner 


Tok ples: Plant family: Nelumbonaceae/Nymphaeaceae 

Description: A herb which grows in water and continues 

growing for several years. The rootstock is under water and 

creeping. The leaf stalk grows 1-2 m high. The leaves can be 

20-90 cm across. It has large round leaves which stand out of 

the water. The stalk joins to the centre of the leaf. It has large 

attractive pink, red or white flowers which stand out of the water 

on long stalks. Flowers are pink or white and 15 to 25 cm 

across. The flower stalk can be longer than the leaf stalk. The 

mature fruit is a spongy cone shaped structure with several seeds 

about 1 cm across under the holes in the top. These fruit can be 

7-15 cm long. The edible rhizome is submerge in mud. 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant but will grow in cooler places. 

It needs 20-30°C. It needs full sunshine. It can grow in deep 

water. It does best in fresh water. The pH can range from 5.6- 

7.5. It suits hardiness zones 9-12. It will probably grow up to 

about 1000 m altitude. 

It occurs in the Fly and Sepik River areas in Papua New Guinea. It is cultivated in most of China 

except the very northern areas. It suits hardiness zones 9-12. 

Cultivation: It can be grown from sections of the root or from seed. Seed germinate between 

25-30°C. The hard seed coat needs to be cracked to enable seed to grow. Seed will remain 

viable for many years. Plants grown from seed vary as seed do not breed true. It needs to be in 

water at least 30-50 cm deep. Rhizomes with 2-3 segments are used. They are put in the mud at 

a 30° angle. 

Production: Rhizomes are harvested all year round and contain an abundance of starch. Plants 

grown from seed take 2 years to produce. Plants grown from cuttings can produce the same 

year. 

Use: The seeds are eaten raw or roasted. Ripe seeds are prepared by removing the seedcoat and 

the intensely bitter plumule and then boiled in syrup. Slightly unripe seeds are also eaten raw. 

The white roots are eaten raw with meat. 

The flower stalks are cooked as a vegetable. They are also eaten raw. 

The young tender leaves are eaten with a savoury sauce. 

The stamen are used for flavouring tea. 




Seed 38.8 545 8.8 8.0 2 3 0.2 

Root 

Flower stalks 

Leaves 

81.4 276 1.6 0.9 0 27.4 0.3 


Importance: The rhizomes are sold in markets. The stalks are sold in markets. The plant occurs 

in several coastal areas of Papua New Guinea and the seeds are the part most commonly used for 

food. It is a sacred plant to Hindus.

286 

Names 

English: Giant waterlily, Blue waterlily Scientific name: Nymphaea gigantea Hook. 


Tok ples: Plant family: Nymphaeaceae 

Description: A plant which grows in water. It grows 

8-40 cm high and spreads 0.9-3.5 m wide. It is a herb 

with a round rhizome or underground stem. The leaves 

are 80 cm across. They are round but with a slit 

towards the centre. They float on the water. They are 

green. The edges have uneven teeth about 0.5 cm long. 

The flowers are about 25 cm across. They grow on 

stems which reach 50 cm above the water. There are 4 

sepals and 32 petals. The sepals are 11 cm long and 

green with purple stripes. The petals are white, pink or 

blue. The flowers open during the day and close at 

night. The fruit is a berry 5 cm across. It is round. 

Distribution: It is a warm temperate or subtropical 

plant. It usually grows in pools or permanent water. It 

can grow in water 1-3 m deep. It grows in soft mud. It 

needs water above 27°C to bloom and grow. It suits 


Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed or by division of the rhizome. 

Production: 

Use: The porous seed stalk is peeled and eaten raw or roasted. 

The tubers are roasted and eaten. 




Seed 57.4 3.4 1.8 9 0.2 

Tubers 55.3 563 2.1 22.2 2 2.1 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance:

287 

Names 

English: Waterlily Scientific name: Nymphaea lotus var. pubescens L., 

(Willd.)Hook.f.& Th 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Nymphaea pubescens Willd. 


Description: A herb which grows in water. The 

rhizome creeps in the mud. They produce slender 

stolons or runners. The leaves are oval or round. They 

are deeply divided into a heart shape. They have coarse 

teeth. Leaves are 15-26 cm across. They float on the 

water. They are papery. They are hairy underneath. 

The leaf stalk is cylindrical. The flowers are above the 

water. The flowers occur singly. There are 4 outer 

green segments. There are 12-14 petals. Flowers are 

large (5-8 cm across) and white, pink or violet. The 

fruit is round and compressed. It is fleshy and ripens 

under the water. There are many seeds, which are 

round. The seeds are 1-2 mm across and have lines 

along them. 

Distribution: It is cultivated in ditches and ponds. In China it grows in ponds in the hills. 

Cultivation: The stalks of the flowers are edible. They are eaten raw or added to soup. 

Production: 

Use: The seeds can be eaten raw when the fruit are green. 

The seeds from dry heads are removed and ground into flour and used for bread. 

The root can be baked or boiled and eaten. 



part 

Seeds 

Root 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

288 

Names 

English: Waterlily Scientific name: Nymphaea macrosperma Merr. & Perry 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Nymphaea dictophlebia Merr. & Perry 


Description: A plant which grows in water in swamps. 

This herb keeps growing from year to year. The 

rhizome or underground stem is round. The leaves are 

55 cm across. The leaves are almost round but with a 

split towards the centre. The edges of this overlap. 

The leaf lays near the water surface. There are evenly 

spaced teeth around the edge of the leaf. The flower is 

on a stalk above the water. The flower is 15 cm across 

and occurs singly. It is 30 cm above the water. The 

flowers have a sweet smell. The flowers open during 

the day and close at night. There are 4 sepals and 22 

petals. The sepals are 6.5 cm long and green with 

purple stripes. The petals are white, blue or pink. The 

fruit is a berry 4 cm across. It is round. 

Distribution: It grows in water up to 3 m deep. It grows in the tropics and subtropics. 

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed or by dividing the rhizome. 

Production: 

Use: The seed are eaten after extracting from the fruit. 

Some parts of the young flower buds are eaten raw. 

The flower stem is eaten raw after peeling off the skin. 

The tuber is roasted then peeled and eaten. 



% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calciu 

m 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Seeds 54.2 479 2.9 2.5 4 0.5 

Flower buds 

Stalks 

Tuber 33.6 575 9.6 3.4 4 0.8 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Zinc 

mg

289 

Names 

English: Tiny waterlily, Blue lotus Scientific name: Nymphaea nouchali Burm.f. 



Description: A herb which grows in water and 

keeps growing for several years. It is about 

1.5 m high. The rhizomes or underground 

stems are erect and unbranched. The leaves 

arise from the base of the plant and are very 

large with few teeth around the edge. The 

leaves are shaped like an arrowhead. They are 

green on the upper surface and reddish on the 

lower surface. Leaves are 13 cm long and 7- 

10 cm wide. They can be 45 cm across. They 

are on long stalks. The flowers are slightly 

above the water. The flowers are very large 

with white petals tinged with pink or yellow. 

The flowers are 8-18 cm across. There are 10-30 petals. The fruit are fleshy. They are round 

and 1.5-4.5 cm across. There are many seeds inside. The seeds are oval or round and 0.5-1.3 

mm across. They have rows of hairs along them. 

Distribution: It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It grows in ditches and rice fields. They are 

widely distributed in the Philippines being very abundant in some lakes. 

Cultivation: 

Production: Tubers are normally available throughout the year. 

Use: The seed are eaten raw. 

The stalks and roots are cooked and eaten. 

The stalks are also eaten raw. 



part 

Seed 

Stalks 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: The stalks are sold in markets. In Papua New Guinea, the plant is more commonly 

used in very swampy lagoon areas such as Suki and Balimo in the Western Province. In India, 

stalks are sold in markets. 

Zinc 

mg

290 

Names 

English: Blue Water lily Scientific name: Nymphaea violacea Lehm. 



Description: A herb which grows in 

water. It keeps growing from year to 

year. It floats on the water with the 

rhizome rooted in the mud. The leaves 

are large and smooth. The are round 

with a deep split or lobe at the base. The 

blade is 10-30 cm long by 10-25 cm 

wide. It floats on the water surface. The 

leaf is dark green and has easy to see 

veins underneath. The edges of the leaf 

are sometimes slightly wavy. There is a 

long thick fleshy stalk. The flowers are 

large and white or blue or pink. They 

are many yellow stamens in the centre. 

The flowers are 5-15 cm across. They occur on long stalks either at water level or up to 15 cm 

above the water. The fruit are spongy berries. These have many seeds. They are green and 

about 2-3 cm across. They are carried under the water and break up when ripe. 

Distribution: They grow naturally in fresh water swamps. 

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed or by dividing the rhizome. 

Production: 

Use: The rootstock, stalk and seed head are eaten raw or cooked. 

The seeds can also be made into flour. 



part 

Seeds 

Root 

Stalk 

Seed head 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

291

292 

Nuts 


Java almond Galip Canarium indicum 293 

Canarium kaniense 295 

Canarium salomonense 296 

Canarium vitiense 297 

Canarium sp. 298 

Canarium schlechteri 299 

Canarium lamii 300 

Canarium decumanum 301 

Melville Island white beech Canarium australianum var.glabrum 302 

Canarium acutifolium 303 

Vutu kana Barringtonia edulis 304 

Pao nuts Pao Barringtonia procera 305 

Barringtonia niedenzuana 306 

Pao Barringtonia novae-hibernae 307 

Breadfruit Kapiak Artocarpus altilis 308 

Jackfruit Artocarpus heterophyllus 311 

Artocarpus vrieseanus 313 

Karuka Karuka Pandanus jiulianettii 315 

Wild karuka Wail karuka Pandanus brosimos 317 

Pandanus antaresensis 318 

Coastal pandanus Pandanus tectorius 319 

Pandanus dubius 320 

Okari Terminalia kaernbachii 321 

Talis Terminalia impediens 322 

Talis Terminalia copelandii 323 

Tropical almond Terminalia catappa 324 

Terminalia calamansanai 325 

Terminalia megalocarpa 326 

Terminalia microcarpa 327 

Terminalia sepicana 328 

Terminalia solomonensis 329 

Finschia nuts Finschia chloroxantha 330 

Finschia ferruginiflora 331 

Finschia rufa 331 

Macadamia Macadamia ternifolia 332 

Rough shelled madacamia Macadamia tetraphylla 333 

Polynesian chestnut Aila Inocarpus fagifer 334 

Nypa Nypa fruticans 336 

Tambour Omphalea queenslandiae 337 

Cape chestnut Horsfieldia australiana 338 

Elaeocarpus polydactylus 339 

Elaeocarpus womersleyi 340 

Elaeocarpus pullenii 341 

Queensland almond Elaeocarpus bancrofti 342 

Blue quandong Elaeocarpus angustifolius 343 

Arnhem land quandong Elaeocarpus arnhemicus 344 

Qandong Elaeocarpus culminicola 345 

Castanopsis chestnut Castanopsis acuminatissima 346 

Candle nut Aleurites moluccana 347

293 

Names 

English: Galip nut, Java almond Scientific name: Canarium indicum L. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Canarium commune L. 

Tok ples: Plant family: Burseraceae 

Description: It is a large tree often up to 40m 

high. The stems are often twisted or rough and 

1 m across the trunk and there are usually 

buttresses at the base of the tree. The 

buttresses are tall but thin. The small branches 

are more or less powdery. The vascular 

strands are unusual as can be seen in the pith 

or centre mass of cells, not spaced in a 

continuous circle as in many trees. The leaf of 

a galip tree is made up of 3 to 7 pairs of 

leaflets. The leaves do not have hairs on them. 

The leaflets are oblong and can be 7 to 28 cm 

long and 3 to 11 cm wide. In young trees the 

leaves are distinctly larger. The leaves are 

pointed at the tip and rounded at the base. The 

leaflets are stiff and glossy being dark green 

on top and light green underneath. At the base 

of a leaf where the stalk joins the branch there 

is a stipule and it is large and has saw like 

teeth around the edge. This is important for 

identifying species. 

The flowers are mostly produced at the end of the branches. A group of flowers are produced on 

the one stalk. The flowers are separately male and female often on separate trees. The male 

flowers have 6 anthers or pollen containers in a ring. In the female flower these 6 stamens are 

improperly developed (staminodes) around a 3 celled ovary. The fruit is slightly triangular in 

cross section and black when mature. The galip fruit has 3 cells (sometimes 4) but mostly only 

one cell is fertile so that 2 of the cells are empty, and one has a kernel. The fruit has a thin layer 

of pulp and a very hard inner shell. The kernel is inside the shell. Fruit can be 6 cm x 3 cm. 

This kernel is oily and edible. Considerable varietal variation occurs. 

Distribution: The galip (Canarium indicum) grows in coastal areas, and is most common in the 

islands such as North Solomons Province, New Britain and New Ireland. It also occurs naturally 

in the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Guam. It occurs on the New Guinea mainland and Irian 

Jaya as well as in Maluku in Indonesia. It has been taken to some other countries to grow. It is a 

tropical plant. Galip nuts are common in the lowland rainforest. They mostly grow from sea 

level up to about 450 m altitude in the equatorial tropics. 

Cultivation: Trees are planted near houses. They are mostly grown from seed. Many of the 

galip nuts take several months for the seeds to start to grow. As well, the seeds normally should 

not be buried under the ground, but should be just near the surface of the ground. Care is needed 

to see that the seeds and seedlings do not dry out. As the seed grows or germinates, a well 

defined cap is split off the nut. Trees grow fairly quickly. They can be grown by budding or 

grafting. 

Production: The main season is often April to May but trees can bear nuts 2 or 3 times a year. 

An average kernel weighs 3 g.. Climbing the large trees is difficult and dangerous, so often nuts 

are harvested after they fall. Nuts are often stored inside houses after the fleshy outer layer is 

removed but the hard shell remains. Nuts which are removed from the shell and roasted can be

294 

stored in sealed containers for many months. The nuts are often coarsely ground and added to 

other foods. 

Use: The kernels are eaten raw or slightly roasted. Seeds can be dried and stored. 

The nuts can be pressed for oil. The fresh oil is mixed with food. 

Caution: The seed coat should not be eaten as it carries some substance producing diarrhoea. 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Nut 13.5 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Insects: 

Coccus hesperidium Linnaeus Coccidae (HEM) Soft brown scale 

Ectatorhinus magicus Gerstaecker Curculionidae (COL) weevil boring into trunk of galip 

Pinnaspis buxi (Bouche) Diaspididae (HEM) 


Pseudococcus solomonensis Williams Pseudococcidae (HEM) 

Diseases: 

Heart rot Fungus Phellinus noxius (Corner) G H Cunn. 

Pests: 

Importance: Moderately common and popular in coastal and island areas in Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

295 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Canarium kaniense Lauterbach 


Tok ples: Piu, Usasi Plant family: Burseraceae 

Description: A large tree up to 40 m high and 

sometimes with buttresses. The small branches are 0.5- 

1 cm thick. They do not have hairs. The branches have 

one or two round cylinders of vascular strands when cut 

cross ways. (Like in a root). The leafy stalk (stipule) at 

the base of the leaf is oval and 1-3 cm long by 0.5-2 cm 

wide. The edges of this are deeply toothed and can be 

almost like a fringe. The leaf can have 3-5 or 6 leaflets. 

They do not have hairs. The leaflets are oval and 8-12 

cm long by 3.5-7 cm wide. They can be papery or 

slightly leathery. The base of the leaflet is slightly 

slanting. The leaflets do not have teeth around the 

edge. The top of the leaf ends fairly abruptly. There are 9-15 pairs of side veins. These are 

slightly curved and at an angle. The flowers are near the ends of the branches. The flower 

clusters can be 30 cm long. They are densely covered with fine hairs. There are 5-6 fruit on a 

stalk. Individual fruit have very short stalks. Fruit are 5-6 cm long and 3-4 cm across. They are 

triangular in cross section. Normally there is only one seed inside with the other cells empty. 

Distribution: It occurs mostly on the mainland and only in PNG. Plants are mostly between 

1,000 and 2,000 m altitude. 

Cultivation: Plants normally are self sown from seed. 

Production: The fruit/nut production is seasonal. Flowering is in December and fruiting from 

January to March. 

Use: The oily seeds are eaten. 


Edible 

part 

Nut 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

Importance: A minor wild edible nut in Papua New Guinea. 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

296 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Canarium salomonense B.L.Burtt 


Tok ples: Adoa, Gatoga Plant family: Burseraceae 

Description: A large tree up to 30 m high with 

buttresses at the base. The buttresses branch. The bark 

is smooth grey and peels off in thin flakes. The small 

branches are round in cross section and less than 1 cm 

across. The wood and bark have a mild pineapple-like 

smell. The leaves can be 18 to 30 cm long made up of 

several leaflets but often without a leaflet at the end. 

The leaf like part (stipule) near the base of the leaf is 

about 1 cm from where the leaf stalk joins. It is small, 

ear-shaped and without the toothed edge like in 

Canarium indicum. The flowers occur on the ends of 

branches. The male flower clusters have more 

branches, more flowers and are larger (20-30 cm long) 

while the female flower clusters are slender, with fewer 

flowers and are smaller (8-20 cm long). The flowers 

have short soft hairs but become hairless at maturity. 

The male flowers are smaller (0.4-0.5 cm long) than the 

female (0.9-1 cm long). The flowers are pale yellow or 

light green. The fruit is 3-4 cm long and 1-2 cm across, 

slightly flattened and purplish black. Normally only 

one cell of the seed is developed. There are a range of 

varieties which differ in size, flavour and ease of 

opening. 

Distribution: It occurs in North Solomons Province of Papua New Guinea and in the Solomon 

Islands from sea level up to 500 m or more. It grows in the rainforest and is cultivated near 

villages. 

Cultivation: It grows wild and is cultivated. 

Production: The nuts have a hard shell and are opened by striking on the side. 

Use: The seeds are eaten. 

(The resin is used for making torches.) 


Edible 

part 

Nuts 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Importance: A minor edible nut. 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

From Leenhouts 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

297 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Canarium vitiense A. Gray 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Canarium schlechteri Lauterb. 

Tok ples: Kaunithina Plant family: Burseraceae 

Description: A slender or spreading tree. It can be 7- 

30 m high. The trunk can be 1.5 m across. There are 

1-6 pairs of leaflets. The leaflets are 3.5-15 cm long by 

2.5-6.5 cm wide. The flower buds are greenish white 

and the petals are white or cream. The young fruit are 

green or bluish. They become dark purple black at 

maturity. 

Distribution: It occurs in dense or dry forest. It grows 

from sea level to 1,000 m altitude. In Samoa it grows 

from sea level to 700 m altitude. 

Cultivation: Trees flower and fruit throughout the year. 

Production: 

Use: 


Edible 

part 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

298 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Canarium sp. 


Tok ples: Nakeo Plant family: Burseraceae 

Description: A fairly large tree 20-30 m high. The 

leaves are oval 15-18 cm by 7-8 cm. The leaves are 

dark green and shiny on the upper surface and dull and 

lighter green underneath. Fruit are grouped tightly 

together. They are small blue/black fruit oval and 2-3 

cm by 3-4 cm. The young fruit are green and turn blue 

when mature. There is a large seed inside. 

Distribution: Coastal. 

Cultivation: The trees are planted from seed. 

Production: Fruiting is seasonal. (Fruiting Aug. '82 in Papua New Guinea.) 

Use: The outside layer of the fruit is eaten after cooking. 



part 

Fruit 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea, it is a minor cultivated fruit near Kawito in the Western 

Province. 

Zinc 

mg

299 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Canarium schlechteri Laut. 


Tok ples: Bitung, Aropir, Banaga Plant family: Burseraceae 

Description: A tree up to 25 m high. It sometimes has 

small buttresses. The trunk can be 30-40 cm across. 

The small branches are slender. On the leaf stalk there 

is a leafy structure called a stipule which is 3 cm from 

the base of the stalk. It is thread like. The leaves have 

3-6 pairs of leaflets and can be softly hairy. The 

leaflets are oval and 12-20 cm long by 5-7 cm wide. 

There are 11-20 pairs of veins in the leaflets and 

continuing fairly straight towards the edges of the 

leaves. The flower clusters occur in the axils of leaves. 

They are 12-22 cm long. There can be up to 9 flowers. 

The fruiting clusters are up to 10 cm long with 1-3 fruit 

in a cluster. There is a saucer like structure (calyx) 

around the base of the fruit. The fruit are long and 

slightly triangular in cross section. They are 4 cm long 

by 2 cm across. The stone of the fruit has 6 ribs. There 

are 1-2 seeds inside. The seeds are edible. 

Distribution: A small understory tree in lowland and foothill rainforests. It is recorded from 

Morobe Province and New Britain as well as Malaysia. It grows up to 250 m altitude. 

Cultivation: The tree grows wild. 

Production: The flowers are recorded in June, August and November. The fruit are recorded in 

March and May to September. 

Use: The seeds have been recorded as edible. 


Edible 

part 

Nuts 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: This species has been recorded as having edible seeds. Its potential is not known, 

but it is only a minor food. 

Zinc 

mg

300 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Canarium lamii Leenh. 


Tok ples: Djaato kenari Plant family: Burseraceae 

Description: A medium sized tree which grows to 20 

m high. It is 50 cm through the trunk. The small 

branches are 6-7 mm thick. The leaves have 3 pairs of 

leaflets. The leafy structures (stipules) at the base of 

the leaf stalk occur 1-1.5 cm from the base and are oval 

and stiff and tend to run down the stem. The leaflets are 

sword shaped and 11-18 cm long by 6-7 cm wide. The 

base is unequal and rounded while the tip ends bluntly. 

There are 10-12 veins which are somewhat curved. 

The fruiting branch occurs near the end of branches and 

has one fruit. The fruit are oval and 6 cm long by 4 cm 

wide. The stone is rounded triangular in cross section. 

There are 1 or 2 seeds inside. (It is somewhat similar to 

Canarium harveyi). 

Distribution: They occur in forests at very low altitudes. 

Cultivation: 

Production: 

Use: 


Edible 

part 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

301 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Canarium decumanum Gaertn. 



Description: A large tree with very large buttresses. 

These can be 8 m high and 5 m across. The tree grows 

to 30-60 m high. The trunk can be 1-2 m across. The 

small branches are 1-1.5 cm across and angular. These 

leave large leaf scars. At the base of the leaf stalk there 

are small stipules that look like small simple leaves 

without teeth around the edge. The leaves are arranged 

in spirals. They are made up of 4-6 pairs of leaflets. 

The leaves are 35-45 cm long and the leaflets are oval 

and between 5-30 cm long by 3-10 cm wide. The 

leaflets are stiff and papery. The base of the leaflets is 

rounded. The tip of the leaf tapers to a point. The 

flower clusters occur in the axils of leaves. The male 

flower clusters are 4-19 cm long with many flowers, 

while the female flower clusters are 5-7 cm long and 

with few flowers. The fruiting cluster has few fruits 

and there is not one flower at the end of the cluster. 

The fruit are somewhat triangular in cross section and 

7-8 cm long by 4-6 cm wide. There can be 1 to 3 seeds 

inside the fruit. 

Distribution: It grows in primary forests at low altitudes. 

Cultivation: 

Production: Plants flower from April to May and fruit June to November. 

Use: The seeds or kernels are eaten. 


Edible 

part 

Seeds 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Importance: They are a minor food. 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

302 

Names 

English: Melville Island White Beech Scientific name: Canarium australianum var. 

glabrum F.Muell., Leenh. 



Description: A deciduous tree. It loses its leaves in the 

dry season. It grows to 12-25 m high and spreads to 3 

m wide. The stems are erect and branching. They 

branches have leaf scars on them. The bark is smooth 

and slightly scaly. It is cream-grey. The leaves are 

compound and alternate. The whole leaf is 30 cm long. 

There are 4-7 pairs of oval leaflets and a leaflet at the 

end. These are 7-16 cm long by 4-7 cm wide. Leaves 

are dark green and smooth on top and paler and 

sometimes slightly hairy underneath. The veins are 

distinct. The edges of the leaves are finely toothed on 

younger leaves. The leaf stalk is 5-15 cm long. Trees 

are separately male and female. The flowers are like 

tubes and occur in clusters in the axils of leaves near 

the ends of branches. The flowers are small and 

creamy white and 0.3-0.7 cm long. The flower cluster 

may be 25 cm long. Male clusters are larger and more 

open than female clusters. The fruit are oval fleshy 

fruit with a hard stone inside. They are 2.5 cm long by 

1.5 cm wide. They are blue-black when ripe. Inside 

there is a hard brown one seeded nut. The seed is 1.5 

cm long. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. It grows on light to medium, well drained soils. It prefers an 

open sunny position. It is drought and frost tender. It is most common in open forest and near 

the sea on sand dunes. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. Seeds do not all germinate at the same time. This can 

be improved by filing to break the hard seed coat. Trees can be propagated by aerial layering. 

Grafting may also be possible. 

Production: Young trees grow rapidly. In Australia trees flower September to December and 

fruit April to October. Flowering and fruiting time varies with location. 

Use: The seeds are eaten. 

The ripe fruit is eaten after cooking (roasting). 



part 

Seeds 

Fruit 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Importance: The seeds are eaten especially by children. 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

303 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Canarium acutifolium (DC.)Merr. 



Description: A tree which grows to 20 m high and 

occasionally to 40 m high. The trunk can be 20-90 cm 

across. It can have buttresses up to 3 m high. The 

small branches are 1.5 cm thick. The leafy structures 

(stipules) at the base of the leaf stalk are like threads 

and 1.5-3.5 cm long. The leaves have 3-5 leaflets. 

These are oval and 12-30 cm long by 4-11 cm wide. 

They are papery. The base of the leaflet is slightly 

oblique but rounded and the tip is long and slender. 

There are between 11 and 20 pairs of veins which curve 

near the edge of the leaf. The flower clusters are a 

shaped like a pyramid and in the axils of leaves. The 

male clusters are up to 50 cm long and the female 

clusters 40 cm long. There are many small flowers 4 

mm long. The fruit clusters are rigid and have many 

fruit. The fruit are oval and round in cross section. 

They are 12-15 mm long by 8-10 mm wide. There is 

one seed inside. Three different varieties occur based 

on the number of stamens and number of veins in the 

leaflets. 

Distribution: It grows in rainforest and more open forest near river banks. It suits wet clayey 

soil. It grows from sea level up to 200 m and occasionally up to 700 m altitude. 

Cultivation: 

Production: Trees flower in July to September. 

Use: 


Edible 

part 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

304 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Barringtonia edulis Seem. 


Tok ples: Vutu kana Plant family: Barringtoniaceae 

Description: A small tree up to 15 m high. The trunk 

is 30 to 40 cm across. The bark is smooth and greyish 

brown. The leaves are glossy on both sides and are 

large. They are 17 to 45 cm long by 10 to 20 cm 

across. They are wedge shaped near the base, and 

wavy or with rounded edges, near the tip. The midrib 

and veins are raised on both leaf surfaces. The leaf 

stalk is about 1 cm long and there are 15 to 20 pairs of 

veins. This nut tree has flowers with stalks from a 

single unbranched stalk. These flower and nut stalks 

come from the end of the branch and hang down. The 

flower stalk can be up to 50 cm long and have about 40 

flowers and nuts. The fruit can be 4 or 5 cm long and 2 

cm across and when ripe the fruit skin colour is green. 

The seed kernel inside the hard shell can be 3 cm by 1 

cm in size. This species is very similar to Barringtonia 

procera but this one has leaves with leaf stalks, the 

flowers are on stalks, the fruit is green when fresh and 

the fruit is more smooth and egg shaped. 

Distribution: This species mainly occurs in Fiji. Other similar species occur in Solomons, 

Papua New Guinea and other Pacific countries. It occurs in forest, woodland and grassland up to 

400 m above sea level. The flowering and fruiting is mostly just before Christmas, from 

September to December. 

Cultivation: 

Production: 

Use: 



part 

Nuts 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: The trees occurring in Papua New Guinea may not be Barringtonia edulis. Other 

Barringtonia species are important nuts in Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

305 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Barringtonia procera R Knuth 

Tok pisin: Pao nuts Synonyms: Barringtonia magnifica Laut. 

Tok ples: Plant family: Barringtoniaceae 

Description: A small tree up to 15 m tall. The trunk is 

8 cm across and the twigs are about 1 to 1.5 cm across. 

The leaves are smooth and hairless and can be 30 to 50 

cm long by 8 to 20 cm wide. They are oblong and very 

shiny. They have a tapering tip which curves 

backwards and at the base are wedge shaped. The 

flower stalk is at the end of a branch, is 30 to 80 cm 

long and hangs down. There can be up to 120 flowers. 

The fruit are 8 sided and about 6-8 cm long by 3-5 cm 

across. The seed kernel inside the hard shell inside the 

fruit is about 3 cm by 1.5-2 cm cross. It is slightly 

flattened in one direction. This nut tree has short 

flower stalks (shorter than Barringtonia edulis) and the 

skin colour of the ripe fruit is purple. The leaves also 

are almost without stalks. 

Distribution: It grows in secondary rainforest at low 

altitude. It is also planted in villages. 

Cultivation: 

Production: Trees flower and fruit throughout the year. 

Use: The nuts are eaten. 



part 

Nuts 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: A common and popular nut in some coastal areas of Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

306 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Barringtonia niedenzuana 

(K.Schum) R. Knuth 



Description: A small tree up to 15 m tall. Trunks are 5 

to 25 cm across and twigs are 2 to 5 mm thick. The 

tree has a dense cone shaped group of leaves at the top. 

The bark is cracked and irregular. The leaves are egg 

shaped and 12 to 26 cm long by 4 to 9 cm wide. The 

leaves are like paper with a wavy or toothed edge. 

They are dark green on top and paler underneath. A 

cluster of five leaves occurs on the end of a branch. 

The leaves are pointed at the tip and wedge shaped at 

the base. The midrib and main veins are prominent on 

both sides while the fine veins are only prominent 

under the leaf. The flower stalks are 20 to 90 cm long, 

with about 30 flowers. The flower buds are pale green 

sometimes with a purple tinge. The flower petals can 

vary from purple to red, pink or yellow. The fruit is 

dark green. The fruit have 4 angles and are about 5 cm 

long by 1 cm across. The kernel or seed is about 3 cm 

long by 5 mm wide. 

Distribution: It grows in rainforest especially on limestone slopes. It can also grow under the 

rainforest and in low damp places near mangroves. It occurs up to 700 m above sea level. 

Cultivation: 

Production: Flowering occurs from January to November and fruiting is mainly between April 

and November. 



Edible 

part 

Nuts 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

307 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Barringtonia novae-hibernae Laut. 

Tok pisin: Pao nuts Synonyms: 


Description: The tree grows up to 6 or 8 metres tall. 

The trunk is often only 10-15 cm across and near the 

top the tree has a few short thick branches. The leaves 

are large and shiny. The leaves are crowded towards 

the end of branches. A leaf can be 50-60 cm long and 

20-24 cm across. Near the tip of the leaf the edge is 

wavy and often slightly toothed, with the tip bent 

backwards. The veins of the leaf show up clearly on 

both sides of the leaf. The leaf stalk is only short, about 

1 cm long. A long hanging yellow flower is produced 

from the branches. It can be 80 cm long and is densely 

covered with flowers. There can be up to 120 flowers 

along a stalk. The flowers do not have a scent. Along 

this the fruits form, giving a long hanging stalk of quite 

large nuts. The fruit are oval shaped and about 6-8 cm 

long by 3-4 cm across. The seed or nut inside the fruit 

has lines running along its surface. This edible part is 

about 3 cm long by 1-2 cm across and white coloured. 

The seed is flattened particularly on one side. Pao nut 

trees tend to flower and produce nuts throughout the 

year. There are some different kinds. The size and 

shape of the nuts can vary slightly. Also some are white inside and some are red. The most 

obvious difference is the colour of the outside of the fruit. Some kinds are green or slightly blue 

whereas other kinds are a dark reddish black. The nuts have a fairly hard shell and are split open 

with a knife. The white part in the centre is eaten raw. It also has a fairly hard texture. 

Distribution: Trees grow in tropical coastal areas and up to about 600 m altitude. They occur in 

primary rainforest on rich alluvial soil. They grow naturally and are also planted. In Papua New 

Guinea it grows in the Huon Peninsula, Manus, New Britain, New Ireland and Bougainville. 

Cultivation: Pao nut trees are mostly grown from seed. Several different races or types of pao 

nut have been selected by villagers and these trees seem to produce fruit that is similar to the 

seed that was planted. Trees can be grown from stem cuttings. Trees grown from cuttings have 

shorter trunks and branch closer to the ground. 

Production: If trees are planted in suitable sites and well looked after, they can produce fruit in a 

year or two. As pao nuts often do well and are most common on low off shore islands and coral 

waterfront villages, it may be particularly suited to coral and alkaline soils. This needs to be 

further studied. Flowering is not seasonal. Well grown trees can produce after one year. 

Use: The kernels inside the nuts are eaten raw or roasted. 

Caution: The related plant Barringtonia asiatica (L) Kurz which grows along the foreshore is 

used as a fish poison. 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Nuts 

Insects: Pests: Diseases: A leaf spot occurs on the leaves. 

Importance: A common and popular nut in some coastal areas of Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

308 

Names 

English: Breadfruit Scientific name: Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson) Fosberg 

Tok pisin: Kapiak Synonyms: Artocarpus communis Forster & Forster f. 


Description: A large tree up to 20-26 m in height. The 

trunk can be 6 m tall before branching. The trunk can 

be up to 1 m across. It is an evergreen tree but can lose 

its leaves in dry weather. The leaves are large and vary 

in the amount the leaves are divided. They can be 

entire or divided into 5 to 11 lobes. The leaves are 

bright green on the upper surface with yellow veins and 

are pale and dull on the under surface. They have very 

small stiff hairs underneath. Male and female flowers 

occur on the same tree. The male flowers are 

cylindrical spikes which droop and are 12-30 cm long. 

The female flowers are grouped in a round head. The 

flower head develops into the compound fruit. The 

fruit are large and green. They can be 20 cm across. 

Seeded kinds have spines, and seedless kinds have a 

more smooth surface. Seeded, small seeded, and non 

seeded types occur. There are a number of cultivars of 

each. Seed can be 2 cm across and with darker lines. 

Fruit can be 12-22 cm long and 9-17 cm wide. The fruit shape varies from round to oblong. 

Leaves vary from entire to deeply lobed and from rough to smooth and shiny. The central core 

and the skin are not eaten. Seeded fruit have projecting tuberances on the surface of the fruit. 

Seedless fruit have rounded or 5 to 6 sided processes on the surface. 

Distribution: It occurs in the hot, humid, tropical lowlands. The plant is purely tropical and 

normally below about 650m altitude, but trees grow from sea level up to about 1150 m. Seeded 

types are more dominant in the west of Papua New Guinea. Trees are killed by temperatures 

below 5°C. It probably requires an average temperature over 22°C to grow well. It tends to 

grow in the temperature range 16°C to 38°C. It grows on a range of soils providing they are well 

drained. There is some cultivar difference in drought tolerance and salt tolerance. Uniformly 

warm humid climates suit it best. An annual rainfall of 200-250 cm and a relative humidity of 

70-80% suits. It suits hardiness zone 11-12. 

Cultivation: Seeded forms are self sown by birds or bats, and also grown from seed. The 

presence or absence of seeds significantly affects the production. Seeded trees are mostly 

propagated by seed which needs to be sown fresh, without seed drying out. Seedless trees are 

propagated by root cuttings. Cuttings of roots 1.5 cm to 4 cm across and 25 cm long are suitable. 

Cuttings can be rooted during the wet season, in sand. They should be placed horizontally. 

They need to be kept moist and shaded. Using intermittent mist improves root formation and 

cutting establishment. Rooting hormones also assists. This process takes 10 weeks or more and 

then rooted cuttings should be hardened off in a sunny position for up to 3 more months before 

planting out into the field. Young plants do best with adequate sun and not shade. Root suckers 

produced naturally, or by damaging the roots, are a common method of production of new 

material. Marcottage or budding can also be used for propagation. Because trees often occur 

from natural seed dispersal by fruit bats and marsupials trees are often randomly spaced and 

common in secondary forest. A spacing of 10-13m is suitable between trees. Trees rarely 

receive much attention after establishment but pruning of branches to allow easier access to fruit 

is sometimes undertaken.

309 

Production: Male and female flowers grow separately on the same tree. Male flowers form an 

oblong catkin while female flowers form a globular head. The flowers are in the axils of leaves. 

Both flowers normally appear at the same time. Artificial pollination has resulted in increased 

yields in some places. This is both an increase in fruit size and more fruit retained on the tree to 

maturity. The pollen in the male flower is available 10 to 15 days after emergence. It is about 3 

months from flowering to fruit maturity. Seeded fruit have 30 to 90 seeds per fruit. Seedless 

fruit are picked before maturity when the fruit is eaten by boiling. Harvesting mature fruit can 

be sweeter fruit but they need to be cooked by baking or roasting. Seeded fruit are normally 

allowed to drop and are then harvested. Seeds are boiled in salted water or roasted. A mature 

tree can yield up to 700 fruit per year. Fresh fruit are highly perishable and need to be handled 

carefully and efficiently. Pit preservation of breadfruit involves lactic acid fermentation. The 

fermentation needs to be undergone for 2 to 3 months to produce a palatable product. Breadfruit 

slices can be stored under refrigeration in a fresh marketable state at 14°C for up to 10 days. 

Segments can be boiled for 2 to 5 minutes then frozen at minus 15°C for at least 11 weeks. 

Trees begin to bear after 3-6 years. Growth of the trees is vigorous, with fruiting starting 

after about 3 years. Trees grow to 10-15 m in 10-12 years. Mature trees can be 30 m high. 

Fruiting can occur over 5-8 months in some locations and this is partly due to varieties with 

overlapping fruit seasons. A tree can produce 50-150 fruit per year. A fruit can weigh 1-1.6 kg 

each. Large trees can give 700 fruit per year of 1-4 kg each. An average seed weighs 5 g. 

Use: The large seeds are roasted and eaten. The flesh of the fruit is eaten cooked. The young 

leaves are edible. The male and female flowers are edible. 




Seeds 56.5 799 7.4 3.7 26 6.6 0.9 

Fruit 

Leaves 

Flowers 

74.4 506 1.5 0.4 4 25 0.2 

The seeds are about 20 % of dry matter as protein with a good nutritional balance. The essential 

amino acid levels are high for vegetable protein. 

Insects: 

Abgrallaspis cyanophylli (Signoret) Diaspididae (HEM) 

Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell) Diaspididae (HEM) Yellow scale 


Bactrocera frauenfeldi Tephritidae (DIPT) Fruit flies 

Bactrocera frenchi Tephritidae (DIPT) Fruit flies 

Bactrocera obliquus Tephritidae (DIPT) Fruit flies 

Bactrocera peculiaris Tephritidae (DIPT) Fruit flies 

Bactrocera umbrosus (F.) Tephritidae (DIPT) Fruit flies 


Chrysomphalus aonidum (Linnaeus) Diaspididae (HEM) Florida red scale 






Hemiberlesia palmae (Cockerell) Diaspididae (HEM) 


Kilifia acuminata (Signoret) Coccidae (HEM) 

Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) Pseudococcidae (HEM) Hibiscus mealy bug 

Milviscutulus mangiferae (Green) Coccidae (HEM) 

Mutabilicoccus vanheurni (Reyne) Pseudococcidae (HEM)

310 




Pseudococcus longispinus Targioni Pseudococcidae (HEM) Longtailed mealybug 

Pseudaulacaspis pentagona (Targ.) Diaspididae (HEM) White scale 


Telostylinus sp. Neriidae (DIPT) 

Xyleborus spp. Scolytidae (COL) Island pinhole borer 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungus Pseudocercospora artocarpi (H & P Sydow)Dei 

Rust Fungus Uredo artocarpi Berk & Br 

Pests: 

Importance: A quite important supplementary seasonal food in many coastal areas. The seeded 

forms are more common in the western part of Papua New Guinea.

311 

Names 

English: Jackfruit Scientific name: Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Artocarpus integra (Thunb.) Merr. 


Description: An evergreen tree up to 20 m tall and in 

the breadfruit family. Trees form many branches but 

have one or two main trunks. The bark is smooth and 

dark green. Leaves of young trees have 1 or 2 lobes but 

mature leaves are long (15 cm) and entire. They are 

leathery, deep green and glossy. Flowers occur on 

spikes, on stalks from the trunk or main branches. 

Some stalks only have male flowers, others only have 

female flowers while some have both male and female 

spikes. Generally male flowers are on short stalks 

among the leaves, and female flowers are on trunks. 

Male flowers are 5 cm long by 2 cm wide and are dull 

green. Female flowers are bright green. The very large 

spiny fruit grow on main branches and the trunk. The 

fruit is a composite fruit made up from the many 

individual flowers of the flower cluster. Fruit can be 1 

m long and weigh 36 kg. They have 6 sided fleshy 

spines. Each seed is surrounded by a yellow fleshy 

sheath. Seed are 2-4 cm long and 1-2 cm wide. There 

can be 100-500 seed in a fruit. Unlike breadfruit, there 

are no seedless Jackfruit. When ripe the unopened fruit 

has a strong smell 

Distribution: It grows in the tropical lowlands and up to about 1200 m altitude. It grows in 

Nepal up to 800 m altitude. It can stand some drought, but not water-logging. Trees do best 

where there is year round rainfall. It does best in a well drained, frost-free location that is warm 

and sunny. They are slightly more tolerant of cold than breadfruit. Trees can survive occasional 

frosts down to 0°C. They have some wind and salt tolerance. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. 

Cultivation: Trees are usually sown from seeds, but it is best to sow them in their final location 

as the plants don't transplant easily. They have a long delicate taproot which makes 

transplanting difficult. Fresh seed must be used (less than 4 weeks). If fresh seed are planted 

immediately they grow more quickly and more seeds germinate. It is better to use larger seed. 

The fleshy layer around the seeds should be removed. Seeds can be soaked in water for 24 hours 

to give better germination. It is best to sow seeds with the embryo pointing downwards and also 

with the narrow end pointing downwards. Seeds germinate in 3-8 weeks. A spacing of 12 m is 

suitable. Where trees are used as a wind break, trees are spaced 6 m apart. Air-layering can be 

used, and stem cuttings are also possible. Air layering is best done in the rainy season. Rooting 

hormones can be used to help roots develop. The shoots used for air layering should be 2-3 

years old and brown in colour. To produce air layers, a small branch 3-4 cm across, is cut below 

a node and only part way around the stem. A ring 5-7 cm wide is cut and a layer of sand 

wrapped around the stem and covered with plastic. Using 1% IBA growth substances helps 

shoots to strike and form roots. Roots form in about 22 days and the stem can be cut off and 

planted after about 2-3 months. Because trees vary in their growth rate, how quickly they flower 

and fruit, and in the fruit quality, it is best to grow plants by using vegetative parts from good 

trees. This can be done by budding or grafting onto 12 month old seedlings already established 

in the field. Budding and grafting are not easy with jackfruit. Because the fruit develops on the 

trunk, early pruning to allow 2-3 trunks to develop is helpful. As well, trees can be topped to 

prevent them becoming too tall and large.

312 

Production: Jackfruit is a fast growing tree. They can be 7 m tall by 3 years old. Trees begin 

bearing after about 8 years. The fruiting season lasts about 4 months in subtropical places, but 

fruit can be produced year round in tropical places. Fruit take about 100 to 120 days from when 

the flower is pollinated until a fully mature fruit is developed but can take another 4 months to 

ripen. Trees tend to have heavy crops every second year. Pollination is by wind but hand 

pollination has been used to improve the amount of fruit set. Fruit can be up to 50 kg in weight. 

Fruit change from green to yellow when mature. Up to 250 fruit can be produced each year on 

large trees. Fruit do not store well but can be kept in a cool store for 4-6 weeks at 11°-12°C and 

with high humidity. 

Use: The flesh of ripe fruits can be eaten raw. 

Unripe fruit can be cooked and eaten as a vegetable. 

The seeds (5%) can be roasted and eaten. (Some kinds have more seeds). 

The young leaves and flowers are edible. 




Fruit ripe 74.5 395 1.5 0.6 30 6.7 0.4 

Seeds 57.6 5.6 0.8 10 

Fruit unripe 

Leaves 

Flowers 

85.8 1.6 0.1 13 

Insects: 

Anthococcus kerevatae Williams Coccidae (HEM) 


Chrysomphalus dictyospermi (Morgan) Diaspididae (HEM) 





Milviscutulus mangiferae (Green) Coccidae (HEM) 


Parastasia guttulata Fairmaire Scarabaeidae (COL) 



Unaspis citri (Comstock) Diaspididae (HEM) White louse scale 

Diseases: 

Pink disease Fungus Phanerochaete salmonicolor (Berk & Br.) Julich 


Pests: 

Importance: Gaining importance in some areas of Papua New Guinea, such as the Sepik. At 

present it is mainly only the seeds that are eaten.

313 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Artocarpus vrieseanus Miq 



Description: A tall tree. The branches are brown with 

shallow cracks along their length. They also have 

round air pores in the bark. The leaves are thin and can 

be soft or papery. They are oval and have a tail at the 

tip. They are smooth and 20 cm wide by 25 cm long. 

The flower cluster has male and female flowers 

separately. The fruit is a composite fruit with parts 

fused together. It is 5 cm across. The fruit are orange, 

pulpy and edible. 

Distribution: A coastal tropical plant. 

Cultivation: Plants are mostly self sown. Presumably they grow from seeds. 

Production: 

Use: The fruit are eaten after cooking. 

The young fruit are chewed as a substitute for betel nut. 


Edible 

part 

Fruit 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Importance: A minor fruit in Papua New Guinea. 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

314

315 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Pandanus jiulianettii Martelli 

Tok pisin: Karuka Synonyms: 

Tok ples: Plant family: Pandanaceae 

Description: Pandanus jiulianetii is cultivated karuka. 

Pandanus trees are separately male and female. With 

cultivated karuka, male trees are rare. About 25-30 

cultivars of cultivated karuka are recognised and named 

within an area of cultivation. The karuka tree is a tall 

palm like tree with a straight trunk and aerial prop roots 

at the base. Sometimes it branches near the top to 

produce 3 or 4 crowns of leaves. The leaves grow in 

pairs opposite each other and they are twisted to look 

like a spiral going up the trunk. The leaves are long (3 

m), narrow, have spikes along the edges and are often 

bent at the tips. The fruit is a round composite fruit 15 

to 30 cm across which is made up of about 1,000 

individual keys which contain the nut which is eaten. 

On a branch that is about to bear fruit, the leaves are 

upright and clumped slightly together. The fruit bunch 

emerges from the centre of these leaves. It hangs close 

to the trunk amongst the dead hanging leaves. Large 

leaves (bracts) almost cover the fruit bunch while it 

hangs there. 

Distribution: Trees grow between 1800 and 2500 m altitude. They do best in the forest 

clearings. They also occur in Irian Jaya. Outside this range it often does not grow well. They do 

best in the forest clearings. The microenvironment for karuka to grows best includes fairly good 

soil fertility such as along the banks of small creeks; in the natural hollows that occur around the 

edges of hills, and around the edges of small clearings in the bush. Karuka on knobs in the 

grassland often only bear small nuts. 

Cultivation: Trees can be grown from seed. More commonly vegetative cuttings of the top 

section of a branch is used. This is suitable for a tree that has several branches. When planted in 

moist fertile soil it quickly develops roots and becomes established. This maintains the trees true 

to variety. Old trees with a number of branches tend to have smaller clusters of fruit because the 

fruit are competing on the same plant for their requirements so this pruning inproves production. 

Sometimes karukas develop young suckers or shoots near the ground. When these are seen, they 

are broken off and replanted from these vegetative suckers. All cultivated karuka are planted. 

Seedling trees are slower to produce and have a taller straighter trunk. Karuka can be grown 

from seeds. It is best to wait till the nuts are fully ripe and start falling naturally from the tree. 

These nuts are taken and planted while fresh. They are planted in the shell with the bristles 

uppermost. Normally the seeds are established in a nursery and then transplanted to their 

permanent sites a few months later. Clonally propagated trees produce 5-8 years after planting. 

To produce good sized nuts the karuka plantation needs to be kept free of weeds. Fruiting is 

seasonal and probably biennial for any individual branch of the tree. One crown of leaves on the 

one branch of a karuka tree normally only produces one cluster of nuts (called a syncarp ) during 

the one season. In fact, that particular branch normally only produces one bunch every second 

year. 

Production: Karuka nuts can be harvested before they are fully ripe by climbing the tree and 

cutting the whole bunch. When this is done, the fruit bunch is cut in half the central pink portion

316 

cooked and eaten and the two halves with the outside skin burnt off can be stored in a platform 

above the fire. These halves can be cooked over hot stones and the nuts eaten. The season is 

normally Dec to Feb but may occur in mid year. Trees last 50-60 years. The nuts can be eaten 

raw or cooked. Dried nuts store well. The season is normally Dec to Feb but may occur in mid 

year. Trees bear every second year. They take 5-8 years from planting to first harvest. Trees last 

50-60 years. An average karuka fruit can be about 6 kg weight. It is about 25 cm high and 20 

cm across. It contains about 1000 separate nuts. After burning off the outside and removing the 

stalk, the weight is about 5 kg. A single kernel weighs about 0.5 g. The weight of edible kernels 

in a fruit is about 8% of the total fresh weight or about 0.5 kg. 

Use: Both the kernel inside the individual nut is eaten and the mesocarp inside the cephalium is 

eaten. The nuts can be eaten raw or cooked. 

The flesh in the centre of the fruit can be eaten cooked. 

Dried nuts store well. 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Nut 2868 11.9 

Flesh 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Insects: 

Segetes cornellii F. Willemse Tettigoniidae (ORTH) Longhorn grasshoppers 

Segetes gracilis Tettigoniidae (ORTH) 

Segestidea montana F.Willemse Tettigoniidae (ORTH) 

Grubs eat the spongy layer inside the fruit. 

Diseases: 

Black leaf mould Fungus Lembosia pandani (Rostr.) Theiss 

On seeds Fungus Macrophoma pandani Berl. & Vogl. 

Sooty mould Fungus Meliola juttingii Hansf. 

On stems Fungus Polyporus gilvus (Schw.)Fr. 

Large leaf spot 

Leaf spot 

Yellow spot mosaic Probably virus 

Pests: Tree kangaroos 

Importance: A very important nut crop in high altitude areas. 

Zinc 

mg

317 

Names 

English: Wild karuka Scientific name: Pandanus brosimos Merrill & Perry 



Description: A screwpine with erect leaves which are 

normally not bent at the tip. The wild karuka plant looks a 

lot like the cultivated karuka except that the leaves are 

bigger and normally they point straight up instead of 

bending over at the top. The trunk of the tree is straight 

like a palm but it can have some branches near the top. 

The leaves are long and have thorns along the edge. Dead 

leaves normally hand down around the top of the tree. 

The leaves are close together. The leaves at the centre 

turn red then white at fruiting time. The fruit is a round 

cluster of nuts. The ends of the individual nuts come to a 

sharper point than in cultivated karuka. The shell of the 

nuts is very hard. The large fruit is made up of about 1000 

nuts. The fruit hangs on a stalk against the trunk. 

Different varieties of wild karuka are recognised. These 

have different shaped nuts. Other small differences are 

also noticed by village growers. As a wild karuka plant is 

getting ready to produce a bunch of nuts the leaves at the 

top of the tree go tightly together and stick straight up. 

Then the top of the leaves become a red colour (With 

cultivated karuka the top of the leaves change to a white 

colour.) 

Distribution: The usual range is from 2500 to 3100 m altitude. Some are transplanted to lower 

altitudes. 

Cultivation: Trees are normally self sown but some are transplanted. Self sown plants are 

weeded, protected and owned. The wild karuka is disemminated throughout the high altitudinal 

forest as single widely spread trees and the dispersal agent is claimed to be marsupials (tree 

kangaroos etc). Some are transplanted to lower altitudes. The fruiting is seasonal and often a 

good season occurs every second year. Individual people within the clan are given permission to 

look after different sections or trees and these people clear the bush near the base of the tree and 

build traps to stop tree kangaroos. 

Production: The fruiting is seasonal and often a good season occurs every second year. 

(Sometimes nuts are stored in the ground to soften the hard shell.) 

Use: The kernel of the nuts is eaten. 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Nuts 10.0 8.5 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Insects: 

Segestidea spp. Tettigoniidae (ORTH) Longhorn grasshoppers 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea, an important wild harvested nut for people with land at the 

right altitude. 

Zinc 

mg

318 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Pandanus antaresensis St John 



Description: A branched screwpine with crowns 

normally at the same height. Fruit are large clusters 

made up of groups of 5 nuts. The kernels are small and 

hard to extract. When ripe the fruit turn red and the 

nuts drop individually. 

Distribution: It grows in the highlands from about 

1600 to 2500 m altitude. 

Cultivation: Plants are often self sown but are also planted from seed. 

Production: Nuts are usually harvested after they fall. Production is not distinctly seasonal. 

The outside fibres are burnt off then the shell splits. 

Use: The kernels are eaten. 


Edible 

part 

Nuts 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: Although the trees are fairly common in Papua New Guinea, the nuts are not 

highly prized because they are hard to extract. 

Zinc 

mg

319 

Names 

English: Coastal Pandanus Scientific name: Pandanus tectorius (Solander) Parkinson 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Pandanus odoratissimus sensu auct.non L.f.; 


Description: An erect branched shrub 3 to 5 m high. It 

can be 14 m tall. The trunk has several prop roots. The 

leaves are spirally crowded towards the ends of 

branches and covered with waxy powder. They are up 

to 1.5 m long and 3 to 5 cm wide. The edge of the leaf 

and the midrib have sharp spiny teeth pointing towards 

the end of the leaf. The fruit are alone and hang down. 

They are rounded and 20 cm long. They are composed 

of 50 to 75 fibrous fleshy fruit with a stone in the 

centre. They are somewhat angular. 

Distribution: It grows on the sandy edges of 

mangroves and along rivers. They are very common 

along the seashore throughout the islands of the 

Philippines. They are never found very far inland. It 


Cultivation: Plants are normally self sown. The preferred kinds are grown from cuttings. 

Production: 

Use: The fleshy portion of the lower part of the mature fruit is eaten raw. 

The seeds are eaten. 

Caution: The seeds can contain calcium oxalate crystals. These can be removed by cooking 

and straining. They irritate the mouth. 

The tender shoots are eaten as a vegetable. 

The tip of the aerial root is eaten raw or roasted. 



part % KJ g 

Fruit 

Seeds 

80.0 0.4 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

Importance: Probably only rarely used in Papua New Guinea. 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

320 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Pandanus dubius Spreng. 


Tok ples: Bakong Plant family: Pandanaceae 

Description: A large erect and branched screwpine 

with prop roots. The leaves are numerous and spirally 

arranged and crowded towards the ends of branches. 

The edges and midrib are covered with spines. 

Distribution: They are widely distributed in wooded 

areas along the seashore of Mindanao in the 

Philippines. 

Cultivation: 

Production: 

Use: The kernels of the nuts are eaten raw. 

They are also cooked and stored. 



part 

Nuts 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: It is probably only of occasional occurrence and minor use in Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

321 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Terminalia kaernbachii Warb. 

Tok pisin: Okari Synonyms: Terminalia okari C.T.White 

Tok ples: Plant family: Combretaceae 

Description: A large tree. It can be 20-30 m tall. It 

usually has buttresses. The branches are in layers and 

the leaves are mostly near the ends of the thick twigs. 

The twigs are hairy when young. The young leaves are 

yellow-green. The leaves are large, hairy and reddish 

brown. The leaf stalks are 2 cm long. The leaves can 

be 15-28 cm long by 6-13 cm wide. They are thick and 

with a tip at the end. They taper towards the base. The 

veins often stick out underneath the leaf and are 

depressed on the upper surface of the leaf. The flowers 

occur on spikes which stick upwards. The buds are 

usually hairy. The flower stalks are shorter then T. 

impediens. The fruit is very large, up to 11 cm x 8 cm 

and slightly flattened. They are red and smooth when 

ripe. The fruit have reddish brown hairs when young. 

The fruit has a large woody stone inside. The stone 

inside the fruit splits into 2 more or less equal parts. 

The seedling leaves are 3-4 and thin. 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant. It occurs in lowland 

areas. They will grow up to 1300 m altitude but do not 

produce well at this altitude. 

Cultivation: Okari nut trees are normally grown from seeds. Seeds grow easily but rapidly lose 

their viability. The trees grow very fast and they can increase in height by up to 2 metres in one 

year. But trees need to be fairly old before they produce many nuts. Twenty year old trees often 

only produce a few nuts. Fruit are normally harvested after falling. 

Production: Trees grow quickly but nut production may not start for 20 years. The kernel can 

be 7-8 cm long and 3-4 cm wide. The kernel is made up of coiled leaves which make up the 

seed. A kernel can weigh up to 10 grams in weight. 

Use: The kernel inside the stone of the fruit is edible. 

The seed can be pressed to extract oil. 


Edible 

part 

Nuts 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

Importance: A very popular and very important nut in Papua New Guinea. 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

322 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Terminalia impediens Coode 

Tok pisin: Talis Synonyms: 


Description: A tree up to 42 m tall. Often the tree has 

buttresses. The twigs are usually fairly large. The 

young parts of the tree are sometimes hairy. The young 

leaves are purple underneath. It has leaves that are 

clustered at the ends of thick twigs. Leaves can be 25 

cm x 12 cm or larger and they taper towards the stalk. 

The leaves are often blunt at the tip. The leaves often 

have a purplish colour underneath. The flowers occur 

on spikes 10-30 cm long. The flowers are small. The 

flower spikes are longer than okari nut (Terminalia 

kaernbachii) and less hairy looking. The fruit are 7-9 

cm long by 3.5-6 cm wide. They are red and have 

fibrous flesh. They usually do not have a wings or 

flanges. Inside there is a large woody stone. The stone 

inside the fruit splits into 2 unequal parts. The 2 

kernels inside are edible. 

Distribution: It occurs in the lowland forest in Papua 

New Guinea. 

Cultivation: Trees grow wild and are preserved in gardens. They grow from seed. 

Production: 

Use: The kernel inside the hard shell of the fruit is edible. 


Edible 

part 

Nut 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

Importance: An important nut in the lowlands of Papua New Guinea. 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

323 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Terminalia copelandii Elm 

Tok pisin: Talis Synonyms: Terminalia catappoides C.T. White & Francis 


Description: A large tree up to 40 m tall. Trees often 

have many buttresses. The twigs are thick and have 

leaf scars which are prominent. The leaves are 

crowded at the thickened end of the small branches. 

Leaves are 22-36 cm long and 9-13 cm wide. They 

have no real leaf stalk. Flowers are small and white on 

many flowered stalks 22-30 cm long and near the end 

of branches. Flowers towards the base of the flower 

spike are female and the ones towards the end are male. 

The fruit is 3.5-6 cm long and 2.2-3 cm wide. They are 

oval and slightly flattened. 

Distribution: They occur in primary rainforest up to 

500 m altitude. This species occurs in Malaysia, 

Indonesia and the Philippines as well as PNG. It is 

mostly known from the Western Province within PNG. 

Cultivation: 

Production: 

Use: The fruit are recorded as edible. 



part 

Fruit 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: The tree is not common in Papua New Guinea and mostly occurs in the Western 

Province. It is only a minor food. 

Zinc 

mg

324 

Names 

English: Java almond, Tropical almond Scientific name: Terminalia catappa L. 



Description: A large tree up to 25-40 m tall. It loses its 

leaves during the year. The trunk can be straight or 

twisted. There can be buttresses up to 3 m tall. The 

branches lie horizontally and come out in layers. The 

leaves are long, smooth and shiny with an abrupt point 

at the tip and a rounded base. Leaves tend to be near 

the ends of branches. Leaves can be 17-29 cm long and 

10-15 cm wide. Young leaves have soft hairs. The 

leaves turn red and fall off twice a year. Flowers are 

greenish white and in a spike at the end of the branches. 

The lower flowers on a spike are female, then the 

others are male. The fruit is about 6 cm long by 3-4 cm 

wide, thick and flattened with a flange around the edge. 

The fruit are green and turn red when ripe. The pulp is 

edible. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. This tree occurs on the beach front in most tropical countries in 

the world. They occur near the seashore from northern Luzon to southern Mindanao in the 

Philippines. They are sometimes cultivated as a shade tree. The tree is common in lowland areas 

particularly on sandy or rocky beaches. Seeds are spread by both bats and sea water as well as 

being planted by people. Trees are common along streets in coastal towns. They will grow from 

sea level up to about 800 m altitude. Plants are frost tender. They can tolerate drought. It suits 


Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed. Seeds can be stored dry for a year or more. Seeds 

germinate freely and most seeds grow. 

Production: It is fast growing. Nut production is seasonal. 

Use: The kernels of the fruit are eaten raw. 

An edible oil can also be extracted. 




Nut 4.2 2987 20.0 6.3 0 2 41.0 

The seed kernel is rich in zinc. 

Insects: Insects can badly damage the leaves of young seedlings. 

Aiteta iridias Meyr. Noctuidae (LEP) Larvae feed on leaves 

Neotermes sp. Colotermitidae (ISOPTERA) 

Perissopneumon Mealy bug 

Nagia episcopalis Hampson Noctuidae (LEP) Noctuid moth larvae 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora catappae 

Sooty mould Fungus Lembosia terminaliae Hansf. 

Pests: 

Importance: In coastal areas of Papua New Guinea trees are common and the nuts are popular 

especially with children.

325 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Terminalia calamansanai (Blanco)Rolfe 



Description: A large tree. It grows up to 40 m tall. 

The tree has plank like buttresses which extend 10 m up 

the trunk. The small branches are often grouped in 

rings and thickened where they branch. The young tips 

of branches are ridged. The leaves are crowded near 

the ends of twigs and leave scars after they fall off. 

The leaves are hard and stiff. The leaves are oval and 

8.5-16 cm long and 4-8 cm wide. They taper towards 

the base. Flowers are yellowish green to brown and 

easily fall off. They are very small. The fruit is 

flattened and has very broad wings. The fruit is more 

broad than long. It is 2-5 cm wide and 1-2 cm long. 

The fruit is dry and does not burst open. The seeds are 

brownish yellow and covered with fine short hairs and 

two wings up to 4 cm wide and less than 1 cm long. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. Occurs occasionally in most areas of the Philippines amongst 

trees near the sea. 

Cultivation: 

Production: 

Use: The fruit are eaten raw. 


Edible 

part 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: It is probably only of occasional occurrence and minor importance in Papua New 

Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

326 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Terminalia megalocarpa Exell 



Description: A tree which can be up to 40 m tall. The 

leaves are at the tips of twigs and tend to hang 

downwards. The leaf stalks are quite long (307 cm). 

The fruit is large and up to 8 cm long. The fruit inside 

is thin shelled and the embryo inside has 3 or 4 twisted 

cotyledons. 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant. It occurs in lowland 

forests. 

Cultivation: 

Production: 

Use: The outer flesh of the fruit is edible. 


Edible 

part 

Fruit 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

Importance: A selected yellow fleshed form is eaten in the Solomon Islands. 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

327 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Terminalia microcarpa Decne 


Tok ples: Kalumpit, Ganurru Plant family: Combretaceae 

Description: A large tree. It loses its leaves during the 

year. The leaves are smooth and pointed at both ends. 

The flowers are yellowish white, on slender flower 

stalks which grow from the axils of leaves. The fruit 

are about 3 cm across, smooth, dark red and fleshy. 

Distribution: It grows naturally in monsoon vine 

forests. Very common and widely distributed in the 

forests throughout the islands of the Philippines. 

Cultivation: The fruit are generally collected from the ground. 

Production: 

Use: The fruit are eaten raw when ripe or made into jam. There is little flesh but it is very sweet. 



part 

Fruit 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: It is probably only an occasional introduction and very minor food in Papua New 

Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

328 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Terminalia sepicana Diels 



Description: A tree up to 25 to 40 m tall. It often has 

buttresses. The leaves are clustered at the twig tips. 

The leaf stalks are less than 2 cm long. The leaves are 

8.5 to 15 cm by 4-8 cm. They taper near the base. The 

flowers are 3-4 mm long and 1-3 fruit are produced per 

spike. The fruit are 4-6 cm long by 2.5 to 4.5 cm wide. 

They are green with 4-5 flanges. The fruit redden and 

become fleshy when ripe. 

Distribution: It occurs in lowland rainforest and often 

in swampy areas. It occurs in Papua New Guinea and 

the Solomons. 

Cultivation: 

Production: 

Use: 


Edible 

part 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

329 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Terminalia solomonensis Exell 



Description: Trees from 25 to 40 m tall. The 

trunk can be 3.3 m around. The bark is dark 

brown and thick. It peels in strips from 

below and the lower part bends outwards. 

The crown is small and cone shaped. The 

branches are not in distinct layers. The 

leaves are generally in clusters on the ends of 

twigs. The leaf stalk is 2-3 cm long and often 

curved. The leaves are 10-18 cm long and 6- 

9 cm wide. The tip is rounded but the base is 

tapering. The flowers are about 3 mm long 

and on spikes about 18 cm long. Male and 

female flowers are separate on the same 

spike. The fruit is 4-5 cm long and 2-3.5 cm 

wide. It is mostly smooth and unwrinkled 

but sometimes flattened. It does not have a 

distinct wing. The fruit is red and firmly 

fleshy when ripe. 

Distribution: It is mostly in the lowland areas but can be up to 1200 m altitude. It can grow on 

swampy ground. 

Cultivation: In Papua New Guinea trees are in flower in July and August with fruit in 

December. 

Production: 

Use: The flesh of the ripe fruit can be eaten. They are preferred cooked. 



part 

Fruit 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

330 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Finschia chloroxantha Diels 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Grevillea densiflora Diels 

Tok ples: Sauge, Akama, Togtua, Mbrein Plant family: Proteaceae 

Description: A tree up to 24-30 m tall with 

adventitious roots up to 1.5 m above the ground. 

Leaves are long (25 cm) and narrow (5 cm) and without 

hairs. The leaves are often clustered near the ends of 

branches so that the tree does not have a dense covering 

of leaves. The leaves can be 25 cm by 10 cm in size 

and have a vein around the edge joining the other leaf 

veins. The flowers occur is a long cluster up to 30 cm 

long and are bright orange in colour. They hang below 

the leaves and on the older wood. The flowers have 

both male and female parts in the same flower. The 

nuts are round and 2.5 cm by 3 cm across and brown. 

They have a sharp point on one side. The outside of the 

fruit is soft but there is a hard shell inside with one 

large edible seed. Flowers are rusty brown in long 

strings up to 20 cm long. Fruit are about 5 cm across. 

They have one seed inside. The nuts are round and 2.5 

cm by 3 cm across and brown. 

Distribution: Trees occur in lowland and mountain areas throughout Papua New Guinea up to 

about 1800 m altitude. They are usually in well drained primary forest. They also occur in the 

Solomons and Vanuatu. 

Cultivation: Trees are planted from seed but also grow wild. Seeds often germinate slowly. 

The fruit is harvested when ripe and roasted to crack the shell to obtain the edible kernel. The 

seeds are cooked and eaten. 

Production: Trees flower from December to March and nuts are available from March to 

August. The seeds can be 3-4 g weight. 

Use: The kernels of the fruit are eaten. The hard shell is broken by burning after cooking. 


Edible 

part 

Nut 

Insects: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

Diseases: 

Black leaf mould Fungus Chaetothyrium fusisporium Fraser 

Rust Fungus Puccinia finschiae Cummins 

Black leaf mould and spots Fungus Verrucispora proteacearum 

Pests: 

Importance: A quite important nut tree in several areas of Papua New Guinea. 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

331 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Finschia ferruginiflora White 


Tok ples: Plant family: Proteaceae 

Description: A tree up to 30 m tall with adventitious 

roots up to 1.5 m above the ground. Leaves are long 

(25 cm) and narrow (5 cm) and without hairs. Flowers 

are rusty brown in long strings up to 20 cm long. Fruit 

are about 5 cm across. They have one seed inside. 

Distribution: They occur in rainforest between 1500 

and 1800 m altitude. 

Cultivation: Trees grow from seed. 

Production: 

Use: The seeds are cooked and eaten. 


Edible 

part 

Nut 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea, the species has mostly been recorded in the Eastern 

Highlands near Aiyura and Okapa. 

Another species Finschia rufa Warb. also has edible nuts. 

Zinc 

mg

332 

Names 

English: Macadamia nut Scientific name: Macadamia ternifolia F.Muell 


Tok ples: Plant family: Proteaceae 

Description: A medium size evergreen tree. It has a 

bushy habit. It grows 5-10 m tall. The young shoots 

are pink. Young leaves are long and toothed at the 

edge. The leaves are 10-18 cm long by 3-5 cm wide. 

The leaves mostly occur in rings of three. They are 

stiff, leathery and dark green. Flowers are in stalked 

clusters 10-20 cm long. They are produced in the axils 

of leaves and hang downwards. The flowers are 0.8 cm 

long and pink. The fruit are 1.5-2 cm long and are 

produced in a hanging cluster. The nuts are smooth, 

woody, and rounded with a point at the tip. 

Distribution: It is a tropical and subtropical plant. In 

Papua New Guinea it does well at 1000 to 1200 m 

altitude and will grow up to 1700 m. 

Cultivation: Trees are mostly grown from seed. They can be grown from cuttings. Pruning 

increases branching. A spacing of 5 to 10 m is suitable. 

Production: Trees produce in 7 years from seed and 3-4 years from grafted trees. Nuts on some 

types are produced seasonally about Dec to April. Nuts are harvested after they fall. The 

outside husk needs to be rubbed off then the nuts dried in the sun. 

Use: The nuts are edible. 

The nuts yield an oil used with salads. 




Nuts 2.5 3238 7.46 0.2 Tr 

Insects: 

Gesonula mundata Walker Acridiidae (ORTH) Grasshopper 


Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Zinc 

mg

333 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Macadamia tetraphylla L.Johnson 


Tok ples: Macadamia, Rough Shelled Bush Nut Plant family: Proteaceae 

Description: A tree which grows 8-15 m high. It 

spreads to 6-8 m wide. It has a spreading bushy habit. 

Young growth is red. Young leaves are coarsely 

toothed. The leaves are 6-30 cm long by 2-5 cm wide. 

They occur in whorls or rings of 3-5 leaves but usually 

4 in a ring. The leaves are stiff and dark green. There 

are coarse spines on the edge of the leaf. The flowers 

are in dense stalks 15-45 cm long which hang down 

from the axils of leaves. The flowers are 1 cm long and 

slender. They are pink or white and densely hairy. The 

fruit are 2-3.5 cm across and green and leathery. The 

nuts are the same size. They are brown and rough. (It 

produces natural hybrids with Macadamia integrifolia.) 

Distribution: It is a subtropical plant. It can grow from 

temperate to tropical climates. It grows naturally in 

Australia in the rainforest. It can grow in full sun or 

light shade. It will tolerate light frost. It needs a welldrained 

soils and benefits from mulching. It suits 


Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed. Fresh seed should be used and seeds germinate and 

grow easily. Budding or grafting onto seedlings is possible. They can be grown from cuttings. 

Production: In Australia, the nuts are ripe January to March. 




part 

Nut 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: Introduced into Papua New Guinea. Although not yet common in Papua New 

Guinea it is probably one of the nuts worth promoting. 

Zinc 

mg

334 

Names 

English: Polynesian chestnut Scientific name: Inocarpus fagifer (Parkinson)Fosberg 

Tok pisin: Aila Synonyms: Inocarpus fagiferus (Park.)Fosb. 

And Inocarpus edulis J. R. Forst. & G. Forst. 


Description: A tree from 9-30 m tall with buttresses at 

the base of the trunk. The bark is dark grey and gives a 

red sap when cut. The branches droop downwards. 

The leaves are long (20 cm), leathery, shiny and feather 

veined. The leaves have short stalks and are one after 

the other (alternate) along the branch. The leaves are 

large and reddish when young and shiny green when 

adult. The flowers of Aila are not obvious. They are 

pale yellow and hang loosely on the twigs from the 

angles where leaves join. They have 5 narrow petals 

joined in a tube. The flowers smell sweetly. The fruit 

is irregular or kidney shaped and is a one seeded pod 

with ridges on the surface. It can be 8-10 cm across 

and 3 cm thick. The ripe fruit is yellow. 

Distribution: It grows in the lowland primary and secondary forest from sea level up to 390 m 

altitude. It often grows near rivers and swamps and mostly as a clump of trees. Often they are 

very close to the water front. It also occurs in the Pacific Islands. They do better where there is 

no distinct dry season. Seeds are mostly planted. Seeds are also naturally distributed by bats. 

Plants can be propagated vegetatively by cuttings of half ripe wood. Seeds are the more 

common method of production. Seeds store easily for over a month but viability declines fairly 

rapidly in salt water. Trees prefer swampy ground but they also grow satisfactorily on higher 

slopes. It is presumed that plants have some salt tolerance as they often grow along the 

foreshore. 

Cultivation: Time to first production of nuts from planting is about 8 years. An average seed 

weighs 40 g. Fruit production occurs throughout the year but has a main season. Uncooked 

seeds can be stored. 

Production: 

Use: Seeds are cooked and eaten. 

The fleshy layer around the seed is eaten after cooking. The nuts are usually roasted although 

they can be boiled. Soaked nuts can be grated, mixed with coconut milk and roasted in banana 

leaves. Seeds can be stored by partly fermenting them in pits in the ground. Nuts can be stored 

for a considerable time but once shelled or cooked will only keep a short time. 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Seed 43.0 1008 4.5 0 2 

Fruit 

Insects: 

Bactrocera sp. Fruit fly maggots 



Zinc 

mg

335 

Coccus viridus (Green) Coccidae (HEM) Green scale 



Ischnaspis longirostris (Signoret) Diaspididae (HEM) Black thread scale 

Lepidosaphes rubrovittata Cockerell Diaspididae (HEM) 

Maculicoccus malaitensis (Cockerell) Pseudococcidae (HEM) 

Neoplatyolecanium sp. Coccidae (HEM) 

Parlatoria crotonis Douglas Diaspididae (HEM) 

Pinnaspis aspidistrae (Signoret) Diaspididae (HEM) 




Diseases: 

Pests: 

Fungus Helotium inocarpi P Henn. 

Importance: They occur in most coastal areas of Papua New Guinea, normally very close to the 

coast. Fruit are sold in markets.

336 

Names 

English: Nypa palm Scientific name: Nypa fruticans Wurmb. 



Description: A palm with stout creeping underground 

stems. It forms clumps. The stems lie along the 

ground and are underground in soft mud. The leaves 

have leaflets along a 7 m long axis. The leaves occur in 

erect clusters. The leaflets are 0.-1.3 m long by 5-8 cm 

wide. The fruit are flat and 12 cm long by 10 cm 

across. They are crowded into a very characteristic 

large round fruiting head which is borne on a special 

erect stalk. The female flower is a round head on the 

end of the stalk and below it long male flowers are 

produced. The centre of the fruit is edible. 

Distribution: They occur along tidal streams throughout the Philippines. They thrive in 

brackish swamps. They occur in tidal mud flats. They occur naturally along the Papuan coast of 

Papua New Guinea but are most likely planted along the North coast. 

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed. Plants can be grown by dividing off suckers. To 

get the sap to flow in the stalk, the stalk must be banged and shaken then the end cut off and 

trimmed daily. Tree densities of up to 2,500 palms per hectare occur but only 700-750 are sap 

producing. Plants are spaced at 1.5-1.7 m giving 390 per hectare where plantings occur. Plants 

are pollinated by insects therefore contact insecticides need to be avoided. To collect sap the 

almost full grown head is cut off. About 2 mm of the tip is removed each day during sap 

collection. Sap flow is increased by banging the trunk and tapping the fruit stalk regularly. 

Production: Palms flower and fruit after 3-5 years. Yields of sap of up to 1,500 ml of sap per 

day per palm over one month can be achieved. Tapping can occur for 50 years. Near Kerema in 

Papua New Guinea it flowers in May and fruits in July. The season is later in the Western 

Province. 

Use: The kernel inside the nut is edible. It is normally eaten while immature. 

Also the base of the "nut" is chewed. 

Sugar (or vinegar) can be obtained by collecting the sap from the fruit stalk. 

Young shoots are eaten. 




Nut 

Sap 

Shoots 

88.9 1.6 0.4 2 

Insects: 


Oryctes spp. Scarabaeidae (COL) Rhinoceros beetle 

Diseases: 

Black plaque on leaves Fungus Rhipidocarpan javanicum (Pat.)Theiss & Syd 

Pests: 

Importance: The palm occurs near mangrove swamps and along the shoreline, in Papua New 

Guinea. The nut is used especially by children. 

Zinc 

mg

337 

Names 

English: Tambor Scientific name: Omphalea queenslandiae F.M.Bail. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Omphalea gageana (Pax & Hoffm.)Airy Shaw 


Description: A large woody vine which climbs high up 

into trees. It has a red sticky sap when cut. The vine 

can become 10 - 15 cm across and grow to 20 m long. 

Leaves are alternate. Young leaves are deeply five 

lobed and the base of the leaf can extend down the 

stem. Leaves are 10-18 cm across and 15-20 cm long. 

Leaves are dark green and leathery. At the base of the 

leaf there are conspicious glands. Flowers are white, 

greenish or red. The flowers are of one sex with several 

male flowers clustered around one female flower. A 

cluster of fruit is borne on a branch up to 5 cm long 

near the base. Fruit is 6-10 cm across and fleshy with 

3-4 lobes. The fruit surface is smooth and yellow when 

ripe. The seed coat is hard, brown and ridged. The 

kernel is white. 


1800 m altitude in hot places near the equator and to 

800 m in Queensland. It grows in the rainforest. 

Cultivation: It is normally self sown. Plants can be grown from seed or from cuttings of firm 

new growth. Plants require a sunny position in well drained soil. It can not withstand frost. 

Production: Fruit production is seasonal. Fruit are ripe February to May. A kernel of a nut 

weighs about 3 g. 

Use: The kernels are eaten after cooking. 




Nut 28.5 1991 11.5 2.1 3.4 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: The nut occurs occasionally in forest areas both in the highlands of Papua New 

Guinea and on the islands.

338 

Names 

English: Cape nutmeg Scientific name: Horsfieldia australiana Blake 


Tok ples: Plant family: Myristicaceae 

Description: A tree. It grows 10-120 m high and 

spreads 3-6 m wide. It has a dense spreading crown. 

The bark is slightly rough and cream and blotchy. It 

flakes and has fine cracks along it. The stem has a 

distinct ridge which zigzags from leaf to leaf. The 

leaves are simple, alternate and smooth and leathery or 

papery. They are oblong and 16-28 cm long by 4.5-7 

cm wide. They are shiny dark green on top and paler 

underneath. The tip of the leaf is rounded or slightly 

pointed. There are 12-15 pairs of side veins. The leaf 

stalk is thick and curved. It is about 1 cm long. Male 

and female flowers occur on separate trees. The 

flowers are very small and orange-yellow. Male 

flowers have a spicy scent and are 0.2 cm across. They 

occur in dense clusters in the axils of leaves. The 

female flowers are nearly round and in flower clusters 

1.5-2.5 cm long. The fruit are smooth and oblong. 

They are 4 cm long by 2.5 cm across. They hang in 

clusters along the stalk. They are pale yellow when 

ripe. The fruit stalk is very short. Inside is one seed 

covered by a fleshy orange-red aril. The seed is 1.5 cm 

long. 

Distribution: Tropical. It grows naturally in thick monsoon forest near freshwater streams. It is 

often on moist organic soils in sandstone country. They need deep, well drained soils. It 

requires ample moisture. 

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed. The seed should be sown fresh. 

Production: In Australia, trees flower from August to October and fruit from November to 

January (January to March). 

Use: The kernel of the fruit is eaten raw. 




Nut 3.6 2384 11.0 4.0 2.2 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: This species is being grown commercially in Darwin, Australia for its edible seeds.

339 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Elaeocarpus polydactylus 

Schltr. gp 4 Schltr. 


Tok ples: Plant family: Elaeocarpaceae 

Description: A tree or shrub up to 13 m tall. The 

leaves are 3-6 cm wide and 6-11 cm long and leathery. 

Flowers are few and are 5-11 cm long. Fruit are 1.5 cm 

x 1 cm. They are green when unripe and blue when 

ripe. 

Distribution: It grows in regrowth forest at 1850-2550 

m above sea level. It mainly occurs in the Western and 

Eastern Highlands Provinces of Papua New Guinea. 

Cultivation: Trees grow wild from seed. 

Production: 

Use: The kernels inside the seeds are eaten. 



part 

Nuts 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: An occasionally eaten wild edible nut in some areas of Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

340 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Elaeocarpus womersleyi Weibel 



Description: A large tree up to 34 m tall mostly with 

buttresses. The leaves are arranged alternatively, are 

simple and have a toothed margin. The flowers and 

fruit are in groups on a small branch. The fruit can be 

up to 10 cm across with green flesh and a stone inside 

which has a hard corrugated surface. The hard stone has 

3 valves and is cracked to release the kernel. 


2400 m altitude but is most common in mid altitude 

regions. It is common in bush regrowth in old gardens. 

Cultivation: It normally grows wild but is occasionally planted from seed. 

Production: Fruit production is seasonal probably late August to September. 

Use: The kernel of the nut is eaten. 


Edible 

part 

Nut 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Insects: 

Rhyparida coriacea Jac. Chrysomelidae (COL) A leaf eating beetle 

Diseases: 

Rust Fungi Aecidium elaeocarpi Racib. 

And Aecidium elaeocarpicola Cummins 

And Aecidium morobense Cummins 

Sooty mould 

Pests: 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea, an occasional nut tree in quite a few highland areas. It is 

mainly just harvested and used when found. 

Zinc 

mg

341 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Elaeocarpus pullenii Weibel 



Description: A tree up to 30 m tall. The leaves are 

long (18 cm x 8 cm) and shiny. They are clustered near 

the ends of twigs. The leaf stalks are long (5 cm) and 

twigs are bluish. The fruit is large (5.5 cm x 4.5 cm) 

with a bluish skin. Inside a 3 cornered hard stone has 

one seed inside 

Distribution: It occurs in rainforest and near streams. 

It is known from 700 to 1100 m above sea level. 


Production: 

Use: The seed is recorded as being eaten. 



part 

Seed 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea, an occasionally eaten wild edible nut. 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

342 

Names 

English: Queensland almond, Karanda nut Scientific name: Elaeocarpus bancrofti 

F. Muell & F.M.Bailey 



Description: A medium sized to tall tree. It 

grows 15-30 m tall and spreads 8-15 m across. 

The bark is dark grey and scaly. Young shoots 

are covered with fine silky hairs. The leaves 

are oblong to sword shaped and 7-15 cm long 

by 2-6 cm wide. They are dark green and 

glossy on top and paler underneath. The edges 

of the leaf are entire. The flower racemes are 

4-8 cm long with flowers 1.5 cm long. These 

flower arrangements grow in the leafless part 

of the stem. The flowers are white and bell 

shaped. The edges of the flower petals have 

lobes. 

The fruit is 2.5-3.5 cm across and rounded. They are greenish black. The kernel of the fruit is 

edible. The shell around the kernel is very hard. 

Distribution: It is native to NE Australia. It grows in tropical rainforests. It requires well 

drained soil and plenty of moisture. It is sensitive to drought and frost. 


Production: Seedlings grow quickly. In Australia flowering occurs from March to June and 

fruit are mature in July to October. 

Use: The kernel of the fruit is eaten. 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Kernel 37.6 1000 2.3 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

343 

Names 

English: Blue quandong Scientific name: Elaeocarpus angustifolius Blume 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Elaeocarpus grandis F. Muell.; 


Description: A medium sized to tall tree. It 

grows 35-40 m high. There are buttresses 5-6 

m up the trunk. It has an open crown. The 

bark is light grey. The young shoots are pale 

green. The leaf stalks are long 15 mm, slender 

and narrowly winged near the tip. The leaves 

are partly deciduous. The leaves are oval and 

7-18 cm long by 3.5-5 cm wide. They are dark 

green and glossy on top and paler underneath. 

They are thin textured. The edges of the 

leaves have fine teeth. Old leaves turn bright 

red. The flowers are borne on twigs behind 

the leaves. Flowers are 1.2-1.5 cm across and 

placed along a stalk on side branches. 

This flower arrangement is 5-15 cm long. The flowers are greenish white. The petals have a 

fine fringe. The fruit is 2-3 cm across and round. It is shiny bright blue or purple. The flesh is 

often fibrous. The seeds have a hard pitted coat. The fruit are edible. 

Distribution: It occurs in lowland secondary forest from India to Fiji. It grows in rainforests 

and along stream banks. They require well drained soil and need plenty of moisture. In Nepal it 

grows between 600-1100 m altitude. It grows in hardiness zones 10-12. 

Cultivation: Seed only germinate irregularly. Cracking the hard seed coat helps seeds grow 

more quickly. Seeds have also been made grow better by fermenting them and by storing them 

in plastic bags. Plants can be grown from cuttings. 

Production: Plants are very fast growing. In Australia plants flower in March to June and then 

in December and fruit are mature in August to January. 

Use: The fleshy layer around the hard stone is edible, when ripe. 


Edible 

part 

Fruit 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

344 

Names 

English: Arnhem Land quandong Scientific name: Elaeocarpus arnhemicus F. Muell. 



Description: A tall shrub or small evergreen tree. It 

grows 6-15 m tall and spreads 3-5 m across. The crown 

has a spreading pattern. The bark is pale grey and 

smooth. Young shoots are hairy and the stems reddish. 

The leaves are oblong and 3-8 cm long by 3-4 cm wide. 

They are blunt at the end. They are dark green above 

and dull green underneath. The edges of the leaves are 

notched. The flower racemes are 2-8 cm long and the 

flowers about 0.5 cm long. The flower arrangements 

occur in the axils of the upper leaves and the flowers 

are greenish white with a fringe. The fruit is 1.2-1.5 cm 

long with a central stone. It is oval and bright blue. 

Distribution: It is native to N Australia and Papua New 

Guinea. Plants grow naturally along stream banks in 

tropical places. They extend into drier areas. It often 

grows in rocky areas. It needs a sunny position and a 

well drained soil. It can tolerate some frost. It is very 

tolerant of drought and salt. 


Production: Seed do not germinate regularly. Plants can also be grown from cuttings. In 

Australia fruit mature November to January. 

Use: 


Edible 

part 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

345 

Names 

English: Qandong Scientific name: Elaeocarpus culminicola 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Elaeocarpus michaelii 


Description: A shrub or bushy tree. It grows up to 10 

m tall. The leaves are glossy and bright green. They 

are leathery and 12 cm long by 6 cm wide. The edges 

of the leaf have coarse teeth. The flower racemes are 7 

cm long and the flowers 1.5 cm long. The flowers are 

pink and bell shaped. The fruit are blue, oval and 1.5 

cm long. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. It needs a sunny 

sheltered position. 

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from fresh seed. The seed germinates erractically. 

Production: In Australia, flowering occurs August to September and fruit are ripe February to 

March. 

Use: 


Edible 

part 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

346 

Names 

English: Castanopsis chestnut Scientific name: Castanopsis acuminatissima (Bl.)A DC 


Tok ples: Plant family: Fagaceae 

Description: This tree grows up to 40 metres tall and it can 

have a trunk 1 metre through at the base. Most trees have 

several suckers growing from their base and the roots of the 

tree are close to the surface. It is a widely spreading tree. 

The bark is quite rough and yellowish. The leaves are 

mainly horizontal with recurved tips. They are rich green 

on the upper surface and copper brown underneath. The 

male and female flowers occur separately but they both 

occur on the one tree. The tree has flushes of growth with 

new leaves having a slightly reddish colour. The fruit are 

borne on spikes 15 to 25 cm long carried near the ends of 

twigs. They are covered with a prickly envelope. The nut 

has a spiky type of covering around it and as it ripens this 

peels back and the nut falls. The nut is pointed, brown and 

slightly hairy. It is about 1.5 cm long and has two large 

"seeds" inside. 

Distribution: It occurs throughout much of Papua New Guinea and can form pure stands in 

lower montane rainforest between 500 and 2000 m altitude. The most common place is between 

1100 and 2300 metres above sea level but they can occur down to 500 metres or sea level. Often 

these chestnut trees are more common on the boundary between the grassland and the forest. 

They form a thick covering of leaves which stops many smaller plants from growing underneath. 

As well they commonly grow in groups or clumps made up only of chestnut trees. From planes, 

these Castanopsis forests can be picked out because they have a distinctive yellowish brown 

colour. Under the trees there is usually a thick layer of fallen leaves. 

Cultivation: The seeds grow easily. Self sown plants can often be found under large trees. 

These can be transplanted to where you want to grow a tree. A nursery can be used by planting 

seeds and then transplanting them when they are big enough. Although suckers are common 

near the base of trees they do not grow easily. 

Production: Pollination is most probably by wind. Nut production is seasonal. Large numbers 

of nuts are produced in a good season. The nut is about 1.5 cm long and pointed at the end. A 

nut is quite small. One nut weighs about 1 gm and the edible seed inside weighs about 0.5g. 

Use: The seeds are eaten preferably after cooking. They are boiled. Small numbers of the nuts 

are eaten raw by children. If small amounts are available they are boiled in a container. If large 

quantities are available they are cooked in earth ovens. Cooked they taste like rice. Pigs readily 

eat the nuts so people tie them up under the trees in the bush during the nut season. 

Caution: Mouth ulcers and anaemia have been reported from eating large numbers of raw nuts. 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Nuts 

Insects: Pests: 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungus Aporhytisma urticae 

Slimy brown mould 

Importance: A fairly common nut tree in most highland areas of Papua New Guinea, but more 

important in some areas. 

Zinc 

mg

347 

Names 

English: Candle nut Scientific name: Aleurites moluccana (L.)Willd. 



Description: A large tree up to 40 m tall and 1 m 

through at the base. The bark is rough. The leaves are 

large and can be round, triangular or have several lobes. 

The leaves have a pale colour. The leaves are alternate, 

silvery green and crowded near the tips. Young leaves 

are hairy and sometimes lobed. The leaves, leaf stalks 

and flowers are all covered with short soft hairs. There 

are 2 distinct brown glands where the leaf blade and 

stalk join. The flowers are small and white and in large 

groups on the ends of branches. Male and female 

flowers are separate but on the same tree. The female 

flowers are on the end surrounded by small male 

flowers. The fruit is a large (4 to 5 cm across) green 2 

lobed berry with 1 or 2 large (2.5 cm across) seeds with 

a hard corrugated shell. They do not open naturally to 

release the seeds. 

Distribution: It is a tropical tree. It mostly grows in the lowland rainforest but can be at up to 

2000 m altitude. It suits drier climates. It does well on well drained sandy soil. It suits 


Cultivation: The trees grow wild but are transplanted. Often candle nut trees are just self sown, 

growing in the bush where the seeds fell. These small trees can be transplanted to a more 

suitable place if needed. Seeds are very hard shelled. To get seeds to start growing more 

quickly, the seed coat needs to be cracked. To do this a single layer of seeds are put on the 

ground covered with dry grass then burnt. Immediately after burning while the seeds are still 

hot they are thrown into cold water, and then planted. This cracks the shells allowing more rapid 

germination. Without this it may take many months for this hard shell to break down and 

germination to commence. Trees can also be grown from cuttings. 

Production: The tree grows quickly. 30-45 kg of nuts can be produced on a tree in one year. 

Trees can start producing after one year. 

Use: The nuts are normally roasted. The hard, oily nut is used for thickening in Asian dishes. 

They are used in a sauce for the greens eaten with rice. 

Caution: The nuts contain a moderately poisonous substance so should be cooked before eating. 

The raw kernels of candle nut are poisonous. They are a strong purgative. Before eating they 

must be well cooked. Mostly the nuts are roasted in the fire until the shell is blackened and half 

burnt, then the kernels are taken out by cracking the shells. The nuts should probably only be 

eaten in moderate amounts. Because the kernels are high in oil, they can be burnt as candles. 




Nut 1.4 2836 20.6 22.6 3.2 

Insects: 

Chrysomphalus aonidum (Linnaeus) Diaspididae (HEM) Florida red scale 

Coccus longulus (Douglas) Coccidae (HEM)

348 


Eucalymnatus tessellatus (Signoret) Coccidae (HEM) 





Diseases: 

Leaf spot Probably fungus 

Pests: 

Importance: A reasonably important nut in several areas of Papua New Guinea.

349 

Other minor nuts 

often from others places 

and introduced for trials

Minor and introduced nuts 

350 


Cashew Anacardium occidentale 351 

European chestnut Castanea sativa 353 

Fragrant screwpine Pandanus odoratissimus 354 

Moreton Bay chestnut Castanospermum australe 355 

Pecan Carya illinoinensis 356 

Hazel Corylus avellana 357 

Walnut Juglans regia 358 

Pangi Sis Pangium edule 359 

Pistachio nut Pistacia vera 360 

Almond Prunus dulcis var. amygdalus 361 

Java olive Sterculia foetida 362 

Peanut tree Sterculia quadrifida 363 

Sterculia schumanniana 364 

Sloanea tieghemii 365

351 

Names 

English: Cashew Scientific name: Anacardium occidentale L. 


Tok ples: Plant family: Anacardiaceae 

Description: A spreading evergreen tree up to 7-14 m 

tall. It has spreading branches. The canopy can spread 

12 m. The roots grow deeply and spread widely. The 

bark is rough. The trunk is 15-20 cm across. The 

leaves are alternate. The leaves are pale green and 

large. They are 10-15 cm long by 6-8 cm wide. They 

have fine veins. They are narrow at the base. The leaf 

stalk is 1-2 cm long. The leaves are shiny. The flowers 

are produced on the ends of the branches. They are red 

in colour. About 14 % of the flowers are both male and 

female and the remainder are male. Many of the 

flowers which contain female flower parts do not form 

fruit. The nut is borne below the "apple" which is 

really a fleshy stalk. The nut is kidney shaped. It is 

about 3 cm long. 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant. It suits the lowland 

tropics but will grow up to about 1200 m altitude. It 

only bears well in dry areas because of blight of the 

flowers. It needs warm frost free locations. It grows 

with temperatures between 22-26°C. A rainfall of 1750 

mm per year is considered suitable but good yields 

have been obtained with rainfall of 750 mm. Wider 

spacing is needed in drier areas. It can grow on poor 

soils. It needs good drainage. It is drought resistant. 

In South India it grows up to 1000 m altitude. It suits 


Cultivation: It is usually grown from seeds. Seeds germinate poorly and slowly. Only nuts 

which sink in water (or a solution of 150 g of sugar in a litre of water) should be planted. Seeds 

are sun dried for 2-3 days to improve germination. Seeds can be sown in a nursery then 

transplanted or more commonly are sown directly. Trees are spaced 7-10 m apart. The crop is 

cross pollinated mostly by insects. It can be propagated by air layering. For good production 

complete fertiliser or appropriate organic material should be applied. Pruning to shape the tree is 

often undertaken in the first 2 or 3 years. Cashews are often planted scattered in gardens or 

amongst other trees. Clearing under the tree prevents fire and makes finding nuts easier. 

Allowing nuts to fall before harvesting ensures only ripe nuts are collected. Resin in the cashew 

nut shell can damage hands and discolour the nuts. Roasting the nuts before removing the kernel 

avoids this. 

Production: Trees commence bearing after 3 years. Fruit production is seasonal. The fruiting 

season is normally October to January. Mature nuts are produced in 2-3 months. Yields of 80- 

200 kg per hectare of nuts are normal. Trees produce maximum after 10 years and trees last for 

about 100 years. 

Use: The fleshy "apple" is edible but acid until very ripe. It is used for jams and drinks. 

The nut is eaten after roasting. 

The young shoots and leaves are edible. 

Caution: The oil of the nut can blister the skin till roasted.

The apple is used to make alcoholic drinks. 

352 




Nut 4.0 2478 17.5 2.8 4.8 

Fruit 

Leaves 

84.7 213 0.8 1.0 0.12 265 0.2 

Insects: 


Eupholus cinnamoneus Pasc. Curculionidae (COL) Weevil 


Oribius cruciatus Fst. Curculionidae (COL) Shot hole weevil 

Selenothrips rubrocinctus (Giard.) Thripidae (THYS) Cacao thrips 

Scopelodes nitens B Bak. Limacocidae (LEP) Cup moth 

Symphilites sp. Cerambycidae (COL) 

Diseases: 

Algal spot Algae Cephaleuros virescens Kunze 

Twig dieback Fungus Glomerella cingulata 

Pests: 

Importance: At present mainly on research stations in Papua New Guinea. It is very important 

in India and common in Africa. The shell contains anacordolic which affects the salivary glands 

and can paralyse the jaw.

353 

Names 

English: European Chestnut Scientific name: Castanea sativa Mill. 


Tok ples: Plant family: Fagaceae 

Description: A large deciduous tree up to 30-40 m 

high. It spreads to 6-15 m across. The stem is erect 

and stout. It has spreading branches and a wide 

rounded crown. The bark is grey-brown. The bark is 

ridged in a right handed spiral. The large leaves have 

toothed edges. The leaves are oblong to sword shaped 

and have prominent veins. The leaves can be 20 cm 

long. Leaves turn yellow to brown in autumn. Male 

and female flowers are separate. The male flowers are 

brownish and hang down like a cat's tail. They are 20 

cm long. The female flowers are joined together into a 

distinctive little tube. Normally male flowers are lower 

in the current season's shoots while the female (or both 

sexes) flowers are nearer the end of the shoot. The 

pollen can have an unpleasant smell. The brown nuts 

are inside green, spiny coverings. These burrs open to 

reveal the nut. The outer shell is shiny light brown. It 

needs to be cut off with a sharp knife. A softer layer 

appears inside surrounding the nut. 

Distribution: A Mediterranean climate plant. It can withstand frost. Trees do produce in the 

highlands of South India so may produce in the highlands of PNG. It requires light to medium, 

well drained soils. It is drought tender. It is slightly hardier than a peach and has less chilling 

requirement than a walnut. It is not suited to heat or humidity. It suits hardiness zones 5-9. 

Cultivation: Trees are mostly grown from seeds, but it is better to use grafted trees onto chestnut 

seedlings. Trees can be grown from cuttings. They can also be grown by layering. Seeds 

should be from cross pollinated trees and should be stored in a refrigerator at just below freezing 

for several months to break the dormancy, before planting. Some trees need to be cross 

pollinated, but some kinds will self between male and female flowers on the one tree. 

Pollination is by wind so trees should be near each other. Normally trees are trained to have a 

single trunk with at least 1.5 m to the lowest branch. 

Production: This is the fastest growing of the chestnuts. Trees can live for centuries. Seedling 

trees can bear after 3-10 years. Up to 100 kg of nuts can be produced per year. There is little 

seasonal fluctuation in nut production. The nuts fall naturally. The nuts need to be partly dried 

to improve the taste and stop rots. The nuts can be stored in closed boxes, with newspaper to 

absorb the moisture. If kept cool they will store for 6 months. Kernels can be kept for much 

longer if cooked and frozen. To do this the nut is placed in boiling water for 2 minutes then 

peeled and cooled and frozen. 

Use: The kernel of the nuts is eaten boiled or roasted. 

They are also slowly dried then ground and made into porridge. 




Nut 51.7 720 2.0 0.9 0 27 


Importance: Seeds have been introduced into Papua New Guinea for growing trials only 

Zinc 

mg

354 

Names 

English: Fragrant screwpine Scientific name: Pandanus odoratissimus L.f 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb.; 


See Pandanus tectorius. 

Description: A screwpine or erect branched shrub 3 to 

5 m high. The trunk has several prop roots. The leaves 

are spirally crowded towards the ends of branches and 

covered with waxy powder. They are up to 1.5 m long 

and 3 to 5 cm wide. The edge of the leaf and the 

midrib have sharp spiny teeth pointing towards the end 

of the leaf. Trees are of one sex. The male flowers are 

in loose spike of flowers with a fleshy axis and 

enclosed by a spathe. These have several 5-10 cm long 

spikes along them. The female flowers are solitary and 

5 cm across. The fruit are alone and hang down. They 

are rounded and 20 cm long. They are composed of 50 

to 75 fibrous fleshy fruit with a stone in the centre. 

They are somewhat angular with fruit in groups of 6-7 

forming a large cluster. There are several forms or 

kinds which vary in details. 

Distribution: Plants occur in coastal areas especially just behind the shoreline. They grow along 

the coasts in India. It grows at Mumbai, India. It suits hardiness zones 11-12. 

Cultivation: Plants are normally self sown. 

Production: 

Use: The strongly scented flavouring essence is distilled from male flowers. 

The fleshy base of the fruit is eaten in one kind. The lower part of the fruit is sucked. 

The kernels are eaten in another kind. Kernels are eaten raw or lightly cooked. 

The growing shoot can be eaten after thorough washing in salt water. 

Drinks are made using the male flower. 

Caution: The fruit can cause irritation in the mouth when eaten. 

The young tender leaves near the flower are eaten raw or cooked. They are used to flavour drinks 

and desserts. 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Insects: 

Nacoleia octasema (Meyrick) Banana scab moth 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: Moderately common in coastal areas in Papua New Guinea, but nut only eaten in 

some places. 

Zinc 

mg

355 

Names 

English: Moreton Bay Chestnut Scientific name: Castanospermum australe 

A Cunn & Fraser ex Hook 



Description: An evergreen tree up to 18-35 m tall. It 

spreads to 5-12 m across. The stem is erect and stout. 

The bark is grey to brown and smooth. The leaves are 

glossy dark green. The leaves are 30-45 cm long. 

Leaves have 11-15 leaflets. These are slightly curved. 

The leaflets are 7-12 cm long by 2-5 cm wide. The 

leaves or cut bark have a cucumber like smell. Flowers 

are in clusters 5-15 cm long on old wood. They are 

yellow to orange. The flowers are pea shaped and grow 

one after another along a stalk in dense clusters. The 

fruit are broad, bean-like pods. The pods are up to 20 

cm long and thick. They can be 4-6 cm wide and 

woody. Inside the pods, the seeds are in a white pith. 

There are 1-5 seeds in a pod. The seeds are large and 

starchy with a shiny brown coat. They are 3-5 cm long. 

Distribution: Introduced and grown along the coast in Papua New Guinea in some areas. It 

suits rainforest and creek bank sites. It needs light, well drained soil in a protected sunny 

position. It is drought and frost tender and is damaged by wind. Trees need a temperature above 

7°C but can stand very short periods down to 0°C. It suits warm temperate to tropical regions. It 


Cultivation: It grows from seeds which often commence germinating while still in the pod on 

the ground. Seeds germinate very easily. Seed need to be sown when the temperature is at least 

13-18°C. 

Production: In Australia fruit are produced from March to November. 

Use: The seeds are eaten after extensive processing (They are soaked for 10 days, pounded and 

baked.) They may still contain some poison. 

Caution: In Australia several deaths and stomach upsets have been reported in cattle which 

have eaten the seeds. 




Seeds 51.4 824 4.0 6.1 0.3 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: The tree is introduced to Papua New Guinea and may not be much used for food.

356 

Names 

English: Pecan Scientific name: Carya illinoinensis (Wang.) K.Koch 


Tok ples: Plant family: Juglandaceae 

Description: A large tree up to 55 m high. Trees lose 

their leaves during the year. Branches extend upwards 

giving the tree an open, rounded crown and the tree can 

be 8 m wide. The stem is stout and erect. The bark is 

grey and furrowed with an ornamental appearance. The 

leaves are bright green, compound leaves. The leaves 

are 30-50 cm long. The leaves are made up of 7-10 

leaflets. These are long and curved sword shaped. The 

leaflets have short leaf stalks. The leaves turn yellow 

before they fall. The flowers are greenish and small. 

Trees normally have male and female flowers 

separately on the same plant, but because the flower 

parts develop at separate times, cross pollination 

normally occurs. Male flowers grow on catkins near 

the branches on the previous year's growth. The fruit 

are dark brown nuts that are carried in clusters of 4-12. 

The fruit can be 6 cm long. It has a thin shell. At 

maturity the fruit splits into 4 valves and reveal the 

smooth brown kernel. There are many cultivars. 

Distribution: It is native to S. United States. It requires a dry subtropical climate. It does best 

in loamy soil in an open sunny position. It is frost resistant but drought tender. They need to be 

in areas with warm summers. Trees grow naturally near streams in arid areas. They need deep 

fertile, well drained soil. Thick shelled varieties are more cold tolerant. Trees can tolerate 

temperatures above 38°C. Trees need to have 700 hours with a temperature under 7°C. It is 

grown extensively in China. It suits hardiness zones 6-11. 

Cultivation: Plants are normally grown from seeds. It can be grown from root-shoots. Seeds 

need to be fresh or they won't grow. Nuts which will grow, sink when put into water. Trees can 

be pruned to stop them growing too tall. Often trees are pruned to 15 m high. Trees easily suffer 

from zinc deficiency. Thin shelled selections are grown using cuttings grafted onto seedlings. 

Cross polination normally means better nut production. Different pollinating kinds are inter 

planted to ensure pollen is shed while female flowers are receptive. 

Production: Trees grow slowly at first while they form a taproot, then they grow more quickly. 

During the first 8-15 years they do not produce nuts. Trees can live for 1000 years. Grafted 

trees produce more quickly. 

Use: The nuts are eaten raw or cooked. 




Nuts 3.2 3188 9.3 2.4 8 2 4.5 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: Nuts have been imported into Papua New Guinea for trial plantings. Trees at 

Aiyura bear irregularly.

357 

Names 

English: Hazel nuts Scientific name: Corylus avellana L. 


Tok ples: Plant family: Betulaceae, Corylaceae 

Description: A small deciduous tree up to 7 m high. It 

spreads to 3-5 m across. The stem is erect, with 

smooth, brown bark and hairy twigs. The trees sucker a 

lot, which produces a clumpy bush. The leaves are 

rounded, tapering to a point, with a heart shaped base. 

They are 10 cm long, and dull, dark green. The edges 

of the leaves have saw-like teeth. The leaves are hairy. 

Male and female flowers are separate, on the one tree. 

Male flowers are greenish-yellow stalks, like cat's tails. 

They are 8 cm long and hang downwards. The female 

flowers are very small, and in groups of four. The fruit 

are brown nuts 2 cm across. A green husk covers the 

nut, but then shrinks to allow the nut to darken and 

ripen. Plants within the Hazel nut group hybridise 

easily, giving rise to new kinds. 

Distribution: A temperate climate plant. They are very frost resistant. They need a certain 

minimum cold requirement for good production of nuts, so are basically unsuited to the tropics. 

They need 800-1600 hours of chilling, about the same as apples. They grow in light, welldrained 

soils, in a protected, partly shaded position. They are drought tender. The flowers can 

withstand frosts down to -8°C and the wood down to -20°C or -30°C. It suits hardiness zones 4- 

8. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. Once established, they can be grown from suckers, 

layering or cuttings. They are often pruned to a single trunk, to make harvesting easier. Trees 

normally cannot be pollinated from flowers on the same tree. They mostly require cross 

pollination by wind from suitable pollinator trees. Trees transplant fairly easily. A spacing of 3 

m x 3 m is suitable. 

Production: Nuts are produced 3-4 years after planting. Layered plants produce nuts in 2-3 

years. Yields of 4-6 kg of nuts per tree, are average. Nuts fall when mature. Nuts store well. 

They should be kept dry and cool. 


The seeds are eaten both raw and dried. 

The kernels have a fatty oil which is edible. 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Nuts 5.2 2810 12.0 3.8 3 1.9 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: Seeds have been introduced into Papua New Guinea for trial plantings only and are 

not really a suitable plant for the country. 

Zinc 

mg

358 

Names 

English: Walnut Scientific name: Juglans regia L. 


Tok ples: Plant family: Juglandaceae 

Description: It is a large deciduous tree up to 30 m 

high. The trunk can be 120 cm across. The trunk is 

straight. The leaf stalks are 5-7 cm long. Leaves are 

often 30 cm long and with 5-9 leaflets. Leaflets can be 

6-15 cm long by 3-6 cm wide. They are smooth except 

for a tuft of hair in the axils of the veins. Flowers are 

small and greenish. Male flowers are compact in 

hanging spikes. Female flowers are on short stalks. 

The fruit has a green leathery husk. Nuts are hard 

shelled and about 4 cm across. The surface is figured. 

The kernels are edible. 

Distribution: It is native to China and S.E. Europe. Trees can stand hard frosts when no flowers 

are on the tree. It is a cold temperate plant. It grows in Vietnam between 500 and 1,500 m 

altitude. As it does not bear in the highlands of India it is unlikely to succeed in PNG. In India it 

produces in Garhwal Himalayas. In China they are common in the northern regions. They are 

grown in China between 23-42°N. They grow on mountain slopes between 500-1800 m altitude. 


Cultivation: Trees can be grown from seeds but quality is often variable. It is best to used 

grafted trees. They can be pruned. Pruning should be done during the summer as calluses form 

more easily preventing bleeding. They easily become boron deficient. 

Production: Seedling trees can produce nuts in 8-12 years. Grafted trees can produce in 4 years. 

Trees can live for 150 years. 

Use: The kernels of the nuts are eaten raw or cooked. 

The young green fruit can be pickled in vinegar and eaten. 

Oil is extracted from the fruit. The remainder can be used in bread. 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Nuts 4.4 2903 14.4 2.5 4 3 2.7 

Fruit 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: Seeds have been introduced into Papua New Guinea for trial plantings only. 

Zinc 

mg

359 

Names 

English: Pangium Scientific name: Pangium edule Reinw. ex Blume 

Tok pisin: Sis Synonyms: 

Tok ples: Plant family: Flacourtiaceae 

Description: A large tree reaching a height of 25-40 m 

and about 50-100 cm across the trunk. The crown of 

the tree can spread to 50 m across. It has buttresses. 

The branches normally droop over. The leaves are very 

large and smooth. They can vary between 10 to 60 cm 

long by 8 to 40 cm across. They can be entire or lobed, 

pointed at the tip and rounded or heart shaped at the 

base. Leaves in young trees have 3 lobes. Often leaves 

are in a spiral arrangement near the ends of branches. 

Flowers are separate sexes and often on different trees. 

The flowers are yellowish white and have a faint smell. 

They are about 4 cm wide. The fruit are large, up to 15 

cm long, brown and contain several seeds embedded in 

yellowish edible pulp. The seeds are about 5 cm long. 

The fruit has a strong smell. 

Distribution: It is native to SE Asia. It is a plant of the hot humid tropics. They are widely 

distributed in primary forests and clearings at low and medium altitudes from southern Luzon to 

Palawan and southern Mindanao in the Philippines. It mostly grows below 300 m altitude but 

can be up to 1000 m. It is in the lowland and mid altitude rainforests often near creeks. It 

prefers slightly acidic soils. 

Cultivation: Plants grow wild and are also cultivated from seeds. Seeds can float for a long time 

in water. 

Production: Trees start to fruit when about 10-15 years old. Trees live for a long time. Fruiting 

is seasonal and the fruit season tends to be May to August. 

Use: The old leaves are eaten after shredding and being cooked. 

The fleshy portion around the seeds is eaten raw or cooked. 

The seeds are eaten after steeping and roasting in an extensive process to remove poison. 

Sometimes seeds are buried and fermented for about 40 days. 

Caution: All parts of the plant can contain large amounts of poison (Prussic acid). This must be 

thoroughly removed by processing. Mature fruit are less poisonous than young fruit. 


Edible 

part 

Seeds 

Fruit 

Leaves 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Pests: 

Importance: Seeds are sold in markets. The tree is moderately common in coastal areas of 

Papua New Guinea, but the nut is not always eaten. It is popular near Madang. 

Zinc 

mg

360 

Names 

English: Pistachio nut Scientific name: Pistacia vera L. 



Description: A small deciduous tree up to about 10 

metres tall. It can have one or several trunks. Trees 

tend to dropp and spread. Leaves are large and greyish. 

They have 3-5 leaflets. These are roundish and 5-10 

cm long. Trees produces clusters of small green nuts. 

Male and female flowers are borne on different trees. 

Male and female flowers occur on separate trees. The 

fruit are red and wrinkled. The kernel is 3 cm long by 

1.5 cm wide. It is protected by a thin shell. The seed is 

edible. 

Distribution: It suits hot dry places. They do well in light calcareous soils. They need fertile, 

well-drained soils. They can tolerate drought. Winters need to be cool to break bud dormancy. 

Trees need 600 to 1,500 hours of chilling. Trees do not do well in areas with high humidity. 

They grow in places with temperatures from -10°C in the winter to 40°C in the summer. In 

western Asia they grow to 1500 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 8-10. 

Cultivation: Mostly grown from seed. The seed should be presoaked in alkalized water or for 3- 

4 days in warm water before sowing. Germination can be slow and irregular. Cuttings of half 

ripe wood from young trees can be used. Trees can be grown by layering. Because male and 

female flowers occur on separate trees both male and female trees must be present. One male 

tree to 5 female trees is suitable. It is possible to graft a male branch onto a female tree. The 

pollen is carried by wind. The flowers are small and green in clusters in the axils of leaves. The 

nuts are normally knocked off the trees then harvested off the ground. 

Production: Seedlings take 8 years to bear. Budded and grafted trees can bear in 4 years. Trees 

can live for centuries under suitable conditions. 

Use: The nuts are eaten after roasting and salting. They can be eaten raw. 

An edible oil can be produced from the seed. 

The fruits can be used for marmalade. 




Nuts 

Fruit 

5.9 2598 17.6 7.3 55 7 2.2 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance:

361 

Names 

English: Almond Scientific name: Prunus dulcis var. amygdalus Batsch 


Tok ples: Plant family: Rosaceae 

Description: A small tree. It grows 5-7 m tall. Leaves 

are narrower than those of peach but long and toothed 

around the edge. Flowers can be 5 cm across and are 

slightly pink. Leaves are folded in the bud. The fruit is 

green and leathery. The edible kernel is in a hard shell 

covered with a downy covering. 

Distribution: It needs reasonable soil drainage. It is 

suited to areas with a long, hot dry summer. 

Cultivation: Seeds grow more quickly if chilled in a fridge for 2 weeks then planted in warm 

damp sand (26°C). Trees often need to be pollinated by another kind of almond. 

Production: Trees commence fruiting after 3-4 years. Trees can live for 50 years on their own 

rootstock. 

Use: The kernels of the nuts are eaten. 




Nuts 4.7 2336 16.9 4.2 0 Tr 3.1 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: Introduced to Papua New Guinea but no other information.

362 

Names 

English: Java olive Scientific name: Sterculia foetida Linn. 


Tok ples: Plant family: Malvaceae/Sterculiaceae 

Description: A medium sized tree. It grows to 10-20 

m high. The tree has a straight trunk and branches to 

form a small crown. The bark is brown and flakes off. 

It loses its leaves during the year. The leaves are 

crowded at the ends of branches. They are compound 

and with 7 to 9 leaflets borne in a ring at the end ot the 

leaf stalk. Each leaflet is 10-18 cm long by 3-5 cm 

wide. They have a pointed tip. The leaf stalk is 15-24 

cm long and grooved. The flowers are strongly 

scented. They are red, dull yellow or purple. They are 

2-4 cm wide in clusters 15-20 cm long and shaped like 

a pyramid. Male and female flowers are separate. The 

fruit are large, woody, nearly smooth and oval. They 

are 7.5-10 cm long and flattened. They turn red when 

ripe. The ripe fruit splits open showing large black 

seeds. The seeds are edible. 

Distribution: Plants grow in the tropical lowland in dry woodlands. They are common 

throughout the islands of the Philippines along the seashores and partly open forests at low and 

medium altitudes. In Nepal it grows up to 300 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. 


Production: 

Use: The seed kernels are eaten raw. 

They can also be roasted like chestnuts. They can be soaked to remove the skins before roasting. 

The seeds can be used for oil. 

Caution: The seeds eaten in large numbers can cause diarrhoea and headaches. 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Seeds 21.0 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

363 

Names 

English: Peanut tree, Red-fruited Kurrajong Scientific name: Sterculia quadrifida R. Br. 



Description: A small to medium sized tree. It grows 

up to 5-12-20 m tall. It has an open rounded crown. It 

is a straggly plant and the smaller stems are thick. The 

bark is smooth and grey. The leaves are long and heart 

shaped. They are 9-23 cm long by 5.5-17.5 cm wide. 

They are dark green and rough with prominent veins. 

They are paler and finely hairy underneath. The leaves 

fall off during the year. The leaf stalk is 4-10 cm long. 

The flowers are small, greenish-yellow and not easily 

noticed. They are produced in flower heads towards 

the ends of branches. The sepals of the flower remain 

joined forming a tube which is bell-shaped. They are 

0.5-1 cm long by 0.5 cm wide. The outer surface is 

green and hairy. Several flowers occur together in 

flower arrangements that are 3-10 cm long. The fruit 

are groups of leathery pods or capsules carried stiffly 

on the stems. The fruit are 5-8 cm across by 3-4 cm 

long. The skin is rough velvety and leathery and turns 

red when ripe. The ripe pods split to show the light 

shiny inner surface and black seeds. There are 2-8 

shiny seeds. The seeds are 1-2 cm long. The seeds are 

edible. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. It grows naturally in coastal monsoon vine thickets and on sand 

dunes behind the beach. It can be grown on a wide variety of well-drained soils. It suits 



Production: Young plants are fast growing. In Australia, flowering occurs from February to 

November and fruiting from April to December. 

Use: The seeds are eaten raw. When peeled they have a pleasant peanut like taste. 




Nut 40.7 1249 12.3 2.6 2 6.5 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance:

364 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Sterculia schumanniana (Laut.) Mildb. 



Description: A medium sized tree up to 20 m high. 

The trunk is often crooked and the tree slender. The 

trunk can be 45 cm across. It has buttresses. The 

crown of the tree is often broad. The branches are 

slender, light brown and often with grooves. The 

leaves are alternate, simple and at the ends of branches. 

They are oblong and have a tail. The blade can be 20 

cm long by 8 cm wide. There are 6-7 pairs of side 

veins. The leaf stalk is 2.5 cm long and and thicker at 

both ends. The flowers are bell shaped. Plants can 

have male, female or both sex flowers. These hang in 

loose stalked branches. These can be in the axils of 

leaves but are mostly on buds from stems and main 

branches. The flowers are dull red. The fruit are often 

in clusters. They have 3-5 velvety sacs. The fruit is 

bright orange-red at maturity. The seeds inside are 

black. They are 1.8 cm long by 1 cm wide. 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant. It occurs in the lowlands. 


Production: 

Use: The nut-like fruit are eaten. 


Edible 

part 

Nuts 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

365 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Sloanea tieghemii gp 4 (F.Muell)A.C.Sm. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Sloanea archboldiana Smith 


Description: A small shrub or a large tree. It can be 2- 

30 m high. Larger trees have buttresses. It has 

alternate leaves which are almost opposite. The leaves 

are 3-5 cm x 2-3 cm and not consistently hairy. The 

edge of the leaves is fairly smooth. The leaf stalk is 

0.5-2 cm long and is usually thickened at each end. 

The flowers are small but showy. 

Distribution: They grow from 2200 to 2800 m altitude. 

It often grows naturally in old gardens and regrowth 

sites. 

Cultivation: They mostly grow wild from seed. They can be grown from ripe wood cuttings. 

Production: 

Use: The kernels of the nuts are eaten after cooking. 



part 

Nuts 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

Importance: Scattered trees occur in highland areas of Papua New Guinea. 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

366

367

368 

Fruit and other often sweet foods 


Sugarcane Suga Saccharum officinarum 369 

Pawpaw Popo Carica papaya 371 

Mountain pawpaw Carica pubescens 373 

Pineapple Painap Ananas comosus 374 

Bukubuk Burckella obovata 376 

Watermelon Citrullus lanatus 377 

Marita Pandanus conoideus 379 

Pandanus englerianus 381 

Pandanus krauelianus 382 

Pandanus lamekotensis 383 

Pandanus lauterbachii 384 

Cherimoya Annona cherimola 386 

Atemoya, Custard apple Annona cherimola x A squamosa 387 

Soursop Sapasap Annona muricata 389 

Bullock’s heart Annona reticulata 391 

Sweetsop Annona squamosa 392 

Pacific lychee Ton, Taun Pometia pinnata 394 

Avocado Apokat Persea americana var. americana 395 

Guava Psidium guajava 397 

Cherry guava Psidium cattleianum 399 

Golden apple Spondias cytherea 400 

Spondias philippensis 402 

Carambola Faiv kona Averrhoa carambola 403 

Bilimbi, Tree cucumber Averrhoa bilimbi 405 

Pomelo, Pummelo Citrus grandis 407 

West Indian Lime Citrus aurantifolia 408 

Grapefruit Citrus paradisi 409 

Orange Swit muli Citrus sinensis 410 

Lemon Muli Citrus limon 411 

Citron Citrus medica 412 

Mandarin Citrus reticulata 413 

Wild lime Citrus hystrix 414 

Sour orange Citrus aurantium 415 

Clymenia Clymenia polyandra 416 

Lime berry Triphasia trifolia 417 

Mundroi Corynocarpus cribbianus 418 

Baccaurea papuana 419 

Tree tomato, Tamarillo Cyphomandra betacea 420 

Naranjilla Solanum quitoense 422 

Argus pheasant tree Mon Dracontomelon dao 423 

Surinam cherry Eugenia uniflora 424 

Beach cherry Eugenia reinwardtiana 425 

Watery rose apple Syzygium aqueum 426 

Malay apple Laulau Syzygium malaccense 427 

Java apple Syzygium javanicum 428 

Rose apple Syzygium jambos 429 

Pink satinash Syzygium sayeri 430 

Lockerbie Satinash 

See more page 432 

Syzygium branderhorstii 431

369 

Names 

English: Sugarcane Scientific name: Saccharum officinarum L. 

Tok pisin: Suga Synonyms: 


Description: A tall thick stemmed clumpy grass. It has 

many nodes. It grows 1-6 m tall. It spreads 100 cm 

wide. A large number of different cultivars occur. The 

leaves are long and narrow. They taper to the tip. They 

are rigid and droop at the tip. The cane varies in 

thickness, length of nodes, colour etc. The stalks have 

distinct nodes and the bottom of the leaf is wrapped in a 

sheath around the stalk. The flower is brownish. It is 

surrounded by dense silky white hairs. 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant. It occurs throughout 

the country of Papua New Guinea. It needs a 

temperature over 21°C for sprouting. It is frost 

sensitive. In Nepal it grows up to about 1400 m 


Cultivation: Plants are mostly grown from tops of canes. They can be grown from sections of 

the stalk or division of the root stock. It requires a good fertility and good rainfall. Plants can be 

ratooned or cut back if the soil fertility is high. Tall cultivars need staking. 

Production: Plants mostly take 14-18 months until they are ready for harvest. 

Use: The stems are chewed. 

The flowers can be cooked and eaten before the flower opens. 




Stem 

Flowers 

78.8 343 0.3 0.7 2 

Insects: 

Borers 

Bathytricha truncata Walker Noctuidae (LEP) Large sugarcane moth borer 

Chilo terrenellus Pag. Pyralidae (LEP) Sugarcane borer 

Maliarpha separatella Rag. Pyralidae (LEP) White rice stem borer 

Ostrinia furnacalis Pyralidae (LEP) Maize stem borer 

Rhabdoscelis obscurus (Boisd.) Curculionidae (COL) Cane weevil borer 

Sesamia grisescens Wal. Noctuidae (LEP) 

Sesamia arfaki B-B. 

Sap suckers 

Noctuidae (LEP) 

Aleurodes comata Aleurodidae (HEM) 

Aphis sacchari Aphididae (HEM) Sugarcane aphid 

Ceratovacuna lanigera 

Aphididae (HEM) Sugarcane woolly aphid 

(Zehntner) 

Neomaskiella bergii (Sig.) Aleyrodidae (HEM) Sugarcane white fly 

Perkinsiella spp. Delphacidae (HEM) Sugarcane leafhoppers 

Saccharicoccus sacchari (Cock) Pseudococcidae (HEM) Pink sugarcane mealybug 

Tettigella sp. Cicadellidae (HEM) 

Zinc 

mg

370 

Leaf eating insects 

Anomala comata Rutelidae (COL) 

Aracerus sp. Anthribidae (COL) 

Araeocorynus sp. Anthribidae (COL) 

Arrhenes dschilus Hesperiidae (LEP) 

Brontispa lateralis Chrysomelidae (COL) 

Mythimna unipuncta Haw Noctuidae (LEP) 

Euryphlepsia sp. Cixiidae (HEM) 

Hypolixus ritsemae Pasc. Curculionidae (COL) 

Lophops saccharicida K. Lophopidae (HEM) 

Melanitis constantia Cr. Nymphalidae (LEP) 

Opogona spp. 

Grasshoppers 

Hieroxestidae (LEP) 

Atractomorpha crenaticeps Bl. Acrididae (ORTH) 

Austracris sp. Acrididae (ORTH) Spur throated locust 

Locusta migratoria (L) Acrididae (ORTH) Migratory locust 

Heteropternis obscurella (Bl.) Acrididae (ORTH) 

Stenacatantops angustifrens (Walk.) Acrididae (ORTH) 

Valanga irregularis (Walk.) Acrididae (ORTH) Giant grasshopper 

Diseases: 

Redrot leaf sheath Fungus Athelia rolfsii 

Brown stripe Fungus Bipolaris stenospila 

Eye spot Fungus Bipolaris sacchari 

Yellow spot Fungus Cercospora koepkei Kruger 

Brown spot Fungus Cercospora longipes 

Red leaf streak Fungus Cercosporella sp. 

Pineapple disease Fungus Ceratocystis paradoxa (Dade) Moreau 

Veneer blotch Fungus Deightoniella papuana D Shaw 

Pokkah boeng Fungus Gibberella fujikuroi 

Red rot Fungus Glomerella tucumanensis (Speg)Arx & Mull 

Ring spot Fungus Leptosphaeria sacchari 

Yellow spot Fungus Mycovellosiella koepkei 

Downy mildew Fungus Peronosclerospora sacchari 

Rind disease Fungus Phaeocytostroma sacchari 

Tar spot Fungus Phyllachora sacchari 

Rust Fungus Puccinia kuehnii (Kruger)Butler 

Red leaf streak Fungus Ramulispora sacchari 

Leaf scorch Fungus Stagnospora sacchari 

Ramu stunt 

Red stripe Bacteria Pseudomonas rubrilineans 

Fiji disease Virus Sugarcane Fiji disease virus 

Mosaic Virus 

Pests: 

Rats 

Rat damage to sugarcane 

Importance: A very important snack and social food in all areas of Papua New Guinea. Papua 

New Guinea has the largest range of sugarcane varieties in the world and has contributed these to 

most of the sugarcane grown in the world.

371 

Names 

English: Pawpaw Scientific name: Carica papaya L. 

Tok pisin: Popo Synonyms: 

Tok ples: Plant family: Caricaceae 

Description: Pawpaw is one of the very well known fruits 

of the tropics. The straight soft stemmed plant grows up 

to 3-5 metres tall and only occasionally has branches. The 

stem is softly woody and has scars from fallen leaves 

along it. At the top of the plant there are a clump of 

leaves. The leaves are large (50 cm wide) deeply lobed 

and on long leaf stalks. The leaf stalks are 90 cm long. 

There is a crown of leaves at the top of the trunk. Trees 

can be male, female or bisexual. The male flowers are 

small and white and on long stalks. Female and bisexual 

flowers are on short stalks. These have no fruit, round 

fruit and long fruit respectively. There are three forms of 

long fruit. The seeds are black. 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant. Pawpaws will grow 

from sea level up to about 1700 m altitude in the 

equatorial tropics. In cooler regions they have to be 

planted but in humid tropical regions are commonly 

self sown. Sunlight allows germination when forest is cleared. Plants cannot stand frost. Also 

they cannot stand waterlogging. Plants die after 48 hours in standing water. It suits hardiness 

zones 11-12. 

Cultivation: Pawpaw seeds grow easily and plants grow quickly. Fresh seeds can be used, or if 

dry seeds are used they should be soaked before planting. To produce well they need a 

reasonably fertile soil. Seeds can be sown directly or the seeds can be put in a nursery and the 

seedlings transplanted. Seeds in a nursery should be about 1-2 cm deep. Seedlings can be 

transplanted when they are about 20 cm high. Plants should be about 3 m apart. 

Production: Seeds emerge in 2 to 3 weeks. Vegetative growth before flowering is 4-8 months. 

Fruit is produced as one or more per leaf axil, about every 1-2 weeks, under good growing 

conditions. So with good growth 100 fruit can be produced from one plant in a year. Fruit 

development from pollination to maturity is about 2-3 months. On the coast in tropical 

equatorial regions, pawpaws start producing fruit after about 4 or 5 months but in the highlands 

this may not start for 12-18 months. The first fruit produced and ripe, are ready 6-11 months 

from planting. Practical tree life is about 2 to 3 years, although trees may live for 10 - 12 years. 

Continuous fruit production depends on fertility, temperature and moisture being adequate to 

maintain active growth. The fruit is produced year round but the growth and development rate 

decreases with temperature. Also the size and quality of fruit declines at lower temperatures. 

Pollination is by wind and insects. Normally cross and self pollination both occur. Pollination is 

not normally limiting. Seeds are widely dispersed by birds, bats and people. Seeds remain 

viable for a few months and also germinate freely. 

Use: Fruit can be eaten ripe and raw. 

Green fruit can be cooked as a vegetable. 

The young leaves can be eaten cooked, but are bitter. 

The flowers and the middle of the stem can be eaten.

372 




Fruit 88.0 163 0.5 0.4 290 54 0.18 

Leaves 75.4 378 8.0 0.77 140 

Insects: 


Amblypelta spp. Coreidae (HEM) Amblypelta bugs sucking sap 

Aonidiella orientalis (Newstead) Diaspididae (HEM) Armoured scale 


Aspidiotus excisus Green Diaspididae (HEM) Armoured scale 

Bactrocera musae (Try.) Tephritidae (DIPT) Fruit fly 

Bactrocera bryoniae (Try.) Tephritidae (DIPT) Banana fruit fly 

Bactrocera neohumeralis Hardy Tephritidae (DIPT) Fruit fly 

Ceroplastodes chiton Green Coccidae (HOM) 



Coccus longulus (Douglas) Coccidae (HEM) Soft scale 

Drepanococcus chiton (Green) Coccidae (HEM) Scale 

Dysmicoccus nesophilus Williams Pseudococcidae (HEM) Mealy bug 

Ferrisia virgata (Cockerell) Pseudococcidae (HEM) Mealy bug 

Howardia biclavis (Comstock) Diaspididae (HEM) Armoured scale 

Icerya seychellarum (Westwood) Margarodidae (HEM) Scale 

Ischiopsopha bifasciata Quoy & Gaim Cetoniinae (COL) Damaging fruit 

var. hyla Heller 

Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas) Aphididae (HEM) Potato aphid 

Morganella longispina (Morgan) Diaspididae (HEM) Armoured scale 

Oxyderes cyrtus Jordan [ex Araecerus ] Anthribidae (COL) 

Pseudaulacaspis cockerelli (Cooley) Diaspididae (HEM) Soft scale 

Pseudaulacaspis pentagona (Targ.) Diaspididae (HEM) White scale 


Rhinoscapha maclayi MacLeay Curculionidae (COL) Weevil boring stems 


Steatococcus samaraius Morrison Margarodidae (HEM) Scale 

Tiracola plagiata Walk Noctuidae (LEP) Cacao armyworm eating leaves 

Diseases: 

Butt rot Fungus Athelia rolfsii 

Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora papayae 

Shot hole leaf spot Fungus Corynespora cassiicola (Berk & Curt)Wei 

Leaf spot(Anthracnose) Fungus Glomerella cingulata (Stonem) Spauld & Schrenck 

Powdery mildew Fungus Oidium caricae 


Root rot Fungus Phytophthora palmivora Butler 

Leaf spot & fruit rot Fungus Mycosphaerella caricae 

Fruit rot Fungus Botrydiplodia theobromae 

Fruit rot Fungus Fusarium oxysporum 

Stem rot Bacteria Pseudomonas cepacia 

Mosaic Virus 

Pests: Fruit bats 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea it occurs in all lowland areas in gardens and bush. Trees are 

near houses in the highlands. The fruit is popular for snacks and baby food.

373 

Names 

English: Mountain papaya Scientific name: Carica pubescens (A. DC.) Solms-Laub. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Carica candamarcensis Hook.f. 

Tok ples: Plant family: Caricaceae 

Description: A small tree. The tree has a silvery grey 

trunk. The tree is soft and not woody. It grows 1-2 m 

tall. The trunk has leaf scars. The leaves are smaller 

than ordinary pawpaw and deeply lobed. They are 8 

sides and lobed. Laves are 20-26 cm long by 34-40 cm 

wide. The leaf stalks are 17-34 cm long. Male and 

female flowers can be on the same or different plants. 

Many plants have both sexes. The fruit are small and 

angular. The fruit are 8-10 cm long. The fruit contain 

small round black skinned seed. The fruit is edible but 

tart. 

Distribution: They will grow to a higher altitude than 

common pawpaws. They grow at least between 1750 

and 2200 m altitude. They can stand light frosts. They 

like a warm, dry site. They need shelter from the wind. 

It can grow in cooler tropical and subtropical climates. 

It suits a temperate between 10°C and 24°C. It benefits 

by plenty of rain. In the Andes it will grow above 2600 


Cultivation: They are grown from seed. Plants can be male, female or both sexes. Seeds 

germinate easily. They can grow in 30 days. Occasionally cuttings are used. 

Production: Trees are fast growing. Trees from seed can start flowering after one year. Trees 

produce in 2-3 years. A tree can produce 50-60 fruit in a season. A spacing of 3 m is probably 

suitable. One plan can produce 50-60 fruit over a growth period of 4 months. 

Use: The fruit are eaten. It often needs to have sugar added. It is also made into jam. 

The fruit is usually cooked and used as a vegetable. 


Edible 

part 

Fruit 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: Only a few plants occur in Papua New Guinea and fruit is rarely used. 

Zinc 

mg

374 

Names 

English: Pineapple Scientific name: Ananas comosus (L.)Merrill 


Tok ples: Plant family: Bromeliaceae 

Description: A perennial herb with a rosette of long, 

thick, spiky leaves up to 1 m high & spreading 1-1.5 m. 

The leaves are arranged in spirals. Some kinds have 

thorns along the edges of the leaves. The plant 

produces suckers both near the base of the stem and 

also higher up the stem near the fruit. These are called 

slips and these, and the suckers, are broken off and used 

for planting. The main plant dies after producing a fruit 

but the suckers keep growing. The plant produces a 

flower and fruit at the end. The fruit is made up of 

about 150 berry-like fruitlets that are almost fused 

together. There is a small crown of leaves on top of the 

fruit. The fruit can be 25 cm long and weigh 0.5-4 kg. 

The two main kinds of pineapples are the rough leafed 

variety which has spines on the leaves and produces a 

smaller but sweeter fruit. The other kind is the smooth 

leaf kind with spineless leaves and larger fruit. 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant. They grow from sea level up to 1800 m altitude near the 

equator. It can survive brief periods down to freezing but cold retards growth, delays fruiting 

and causes fruit to be more acid. A friable well drained soil with high organic matter is best. 

Plants cannot stand waterlogging. It can survive drought but adequate soil moisture is necessary 

for good fruit production. Pineapples need an annual average temperature between 17.2°C and 

26.9°C. In the equatorial tropics this is mostly between sea level and 1800 metres altitude. 

Pineapples need well drained and fertile soil. They suit an acid soil and can develop rots in soils 

where lime has been added. The soil acidity can be between pH 3.3 and 6.0. The best range is 

pH 4.5 to 5.5. Soils which are not sufficiently acid can be treated with sulphur. It suits 


Cultivation: The suckers and slips can be used for planting as well as the top of the fruit. The 

time to maturity is the fastest for the suckers near the bottom of the plant and slowest when the 

top of the fruit is planted. Therefore use suckers that grow from the stem near the ground, for 

earliest yield. Other suckers or the top of the fruit can be used. Pineapples can grow well under 

shade. Pineapple flowering hormone can be used for fruit production with thorny varieties and 

calcium carbide for smooth kinds. Fruiting is less seasonal in the highlands than in the lowlands. 

Pineapples can be planted with 35,000 to 43,000 plants per hectare or 3 or 4 plants per square 

metre. If plants are spaced more widely they produce more suckers. Fruits become more acid 

where plants are closely spaced. If too many suckers are left growing from the main plant then 

smaller fruit will be produced. They can grow in partial shade and in this situation the plants are 

normally more green. The red colouring of pineapple leaves is due to a deficiency of the nutrient 

nitrogen. This shows up more quickly in plants in full sunlight. 

Production: Plants usually produce for about 4 years. Fruiting is less seasonal in the highlands 

than in the lowlands in the tropics. The growth rate for pineapples gets slower as the 

temperature gets less. So plants grown in the highlands or at higher latitudes take longer to get 

ready for harvest. It takes 60 days from when the flower starts to form until it appears. Then 

there are 5 months until the fruit is ready for harvest. The time from planting to harvesting 

ranges from 11 months up to 32 months depending on temperature. The fruit are smaller, poorer 

shape and more acid where the temperatures are lower or there is less sunlight.

375 

Use: The fruit is eaten fresh or used for juice. The young heart leaves can be eaten. 

Unripe fruit are also cooked and eaten. 




Fruit 

Leaves 

84.3 194 0.5 0.4 60 25 0.1 

Insects: 

Coccus viridus (Green) Coccidae (HEM) Soft scale on pineapple 


Kilifia acuminata (Signoret) Coccidae (HEM) Soft scale on pineapple 

Leptococcus metroxyli Reyne Pseudococcidae (HEM) Mealy bug on pineapple 



Planococcus pacificus Cox Pseudococcidae (HEM) Mealy bug on pineapple 

Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni) Pseudococcidae (HEM) Mealy bug on pineapple 

Pulvinaria ubicola (Cockerell) Coccidae (HEM) Soft scale on pineapple 

Scapanes australis grossepunctatus 

Sternb 

Dynastidae (COL) N G Rhinoceros beetle 

Scapanes australis australis (Boisd.) Dynastidae(COL) New Guinea Rhinoceros beetle 

Diseases: 

Associated with leaf blotch Fungus Cochliobolus lunatus 

And Strachylidium bicolor Link ex Fries 

And Trichobotrys pannosa Penz & Sacc. 

Water blister or leaf blotch Fungus Cerotocystis paradoxa (Dade) Moreau 

Leaf spot Fungus Asterina sp. 

And Nigrospora sp. 

Wilt outside leaves Fungus Pythium vexans 

Pests: 

Importance: Pineapples are a common and popular fruit.

376 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Burckella obovata (Forst.) Pierre 

Tok pisin: Bukubuk Synonyms: 

Tok ples: Plant family: Sapotaceae 

Description: A tree which can be up to 30 m tall and 

with buttresses. The trunk can be 3 m across. A white 

sticky sap is produced from the broken ends of twigs 

and leaves, which is typical of this family of trees. 

Leaves tend to be clustered near the ends of branches. 

Leaves are simple and shiny. The leaf tip is tapered to 

a point and the base is wedge shaped. The leaf stalk is 

1-4 cm long. The flowers occur 20-50 together without 

flower stalks and in a cluster near the ends of branches. 

The fruit is large (9 cm across) and green. It has a very 

thin skin. The flesh is white. Fruit normally have 4 or 

5 furrows around it. The fruit has 3-5 cells but often 

only one or two seeds mature. The seed is oval shaped 

and about 4 cm long. Fruit shape can vary; some being 

more round and others more elongated. The fruit are 

carried near the ends of the branches. The fruit has a 

sweet smell. Fruit quality varies significantly in size 

and edibility throughout the regions where the tree 

occurs. Good fruit have a texture like an avocado and a 

taste like a sweetsop but less sweet. 

Distribution: Trees grow wild in coastal areas or Papua New Guinea. They are also planted. It 

will probably grow up to about 1100 metres altitude. It occurs in Papua New Guinea, the 

Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. It has been introduced to Fiji. 

Cultivation: Trees are grown from seed. There is normally only one fertile seed in each fruit. 

Both domesticated and wild trees occur. Trees grow wild in coastal areas. They are also 

planted. 

Production: Fruiting is not seasonal although two main seasons may occur in a year. Fruit 

bruises easily so is hard to transport. It needs to be stored in soft containers lined with leaves or 

packaging. To avoid fruit damage, fruit are often harvested while not quite ripe. It can be stored 

for a short time if baked and is also stored in pits where it is fermented. 

Use: The fruit is eaten raw. Occasionally the fruit is baked. 


Edible 

part 

Fruit 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea, it is a popular fruit in the Gazelle and occurs in a number of 

coastal islands. 

Zinc 

mg

377 

Names 

English: Watermelon Scientific name: Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.)Mansf. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Citrullus vulgaris Schrad. 


Description: An annual climber with deeply divided 

leaves and tendrils along the vine. It trails over the 

ground and has hairy, angular stems. The leaves are on 

long leaf stalks. The leaves are deeply divided along 

their length. These lobe are rounded and can 

themselves be divided. The leaves are 5-20 cm long by 

2-12 cm across. The tendrils are divided. The plant 

has separate male and female flowers on the same 

plant. The flowers are pale yellow and smaller than 

pumpkins. The flowers occur in the axils of leaves. 

The male flowers appear first. Fruit are large and 

round or oval. They can be 60 cm long. Fruit have a 

hard smooth skin. Several fruit colours and shapes 

occur. Often they have a dark green mottle. The fruit 

has reddish juicy flesh and black or red seeds. The 

seeds are oval shaped and smooth 

Distribution: They grow best on the coast in the tropics but will grow up to about 1000 m 

altitude. They will not stand waterlogging and do well on sandy soils. Plants are frost sensitive. 


Cultivation: They are suitable mainly for the dry season. A spacing of 1.5 to 2 m is suitable. 

They grow easily from seed. They do best when fully exposed to the sun. Seed can be dried and 

stored. 

Production: Harvesting commences after 4-5 months. The main fruit season is November to 

January. 

Use: The fruit is eaten raw when ripe. 

Small unripe fruit can be cooked as a vegetable. 

Seeds are also eaten. They are dried, soaked in salt water then roasted. Oil is extracted from the 

seeds. 

Occasionally very young leaves are eaten. 

The skin of the fruit is sometimes candied in vinegar then eaten with fish. 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Fruit 94.0 92 0.4 0.3 20 5 0.1 

Seeds 5.1 2330 28.3 7.3 0 0 10.2 

Insects: 

Atherigona orientalis Schiner Muscidae (DIPT) Stem fly 

Aulacophora coffeae Hornst. Chrysomelidae (COL) Pumpkin beetles 

Bactrocera cucurbitae Coq Tephritidae (DIPT) Melon fruit fly 



Zinc 

mg

378 

Diseases: 


Leaf spot Fungus Colletotrichum orbiculare 

And Leptosphaerulina trifolii 

Black rot Fungus Mycosphaerella melonis 


Damping off Fungus Pythium irregulare 

Mosaic Probably virus 

Pests: 

Importance: The seeds are a popular food in China. Common and popular in lowland areas of 

Papua New Guinea.

379 

Names 

English: Marita Scientific name: Pandanus conoideus Lamarck 

Tok pisin: Marita Synonyms: 


Description: A short much branched screwpine with 

many prop roots. The prop roots have prickles. Trees 

may have up to 8 or 10 main branches. Trees grow up 

to about 5 metres tall. There are many short sharp 

spikes on the trunk and branches. The leaves are 

between 1 and 2 metres long and about 10cm wide. 

The leaves grow opposite each other but are twisted to 

look like a spiral. There are thorns along the edges of 

the leaf. It produces a large (1 m long) dark red to 

yellow fruit with a hard rough/spiky surface. The fruit 

is hard and has small lumps or spikes over the surface. 

The fruit grows at the ends of the branches between the 

leaves and it has 3 straight leaf like bracts along the 

edges. 

Distribution: It grows throughout PNG from sea level 

up to 1650 m altitude. It becomes common above 500 

m. It occurs in Maluku in Indonesia. 

Cultivation: Marita pandanus are normally planted from suckers or cuttings. The cuttings are 

using ends of branches. Suckers produce more quickly. A new shoot normally sprouts out of 

the branch just below where the end was cut off. The cutting will soon develop roots and 

become established when it is planted. A more popular method is to use a sucker or shoot 

growing from the plant down near the ground. The sucker is separated from the parent plant 

then replanted in its new place. These suckers grow more quickly and can bear fruit after 18 

months to 2 years. A cutting off a branch may take up to 4 or 5 years before it produces a fruit. 

Marita is often planted along the roads and walking tracks. It is also planted in most gardens and 

serves as a reminder that the land is owned by the person who planted the marita. So plants are 

dispersed instead of being grown in a plantation. 

Production: A marita fruit is harvested when the colour starts to change to a brighter red or 

yellow. Sometimes it also starts to crack slightly at this stage. The fruit is cut from the branch. 

Marita is a seasonal crop but the fruiting season is not a short clearly marked one. The main 

season goes from about October to March but individual trees can bear almost throughout the 

year. Near the sea the marita season is longer and more spread out but as the places increase in 

altitude above sea level the season becomes more distinct. The marita season is an important 

occasion. During the season people often use marita twice a day. 

Use: The ripe fruit is cooked then the juice mixed with water to make a sauce. To do this, a ripe 

marita fruit is normally split into 3 sections along its length. Then the central yellow stalk and 

pith area are dug out. The outside hard red layer is then cooked. Preferably it is cooked using 

hot stones although sometimes it is boiled in a saucepan. After cooking for about half an hour 

the hard pits are squeezed from the soft red juice by squeezing through the hands. Water is 

added to make an oily red soup. The soup is then eaten. Sometimes it is eaten by dipping green 

leaves or sago into the soup. At other times it is eaten with a spoon made from the marita leaf. 

Some people just suck the cooked juice from the seeds. As well, some people use the oily juice 

to cook food in. The pits or seeds are thrown away, normally to pigs. A harvested marita fruit 

will only keep for about one week. After cooking it will only last for about 12 hours.


Edible 

part 

Fruit 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

380 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Insects: 


Segistidea spp. Tettigoniidae (ORTH) Longhorn grasshoppers eat leaves 

Borers get into the stem 

Diseases: 

Black leaf mould Fungus Lembosia pandani (Rostr.) Thiess 

Leaf spot cause unknown 

Yellow mottle cause unknown 

Soft squashy rot of fruit cause unknown 

Pests: 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea, a popular and common seasonal food in mid altitudinal 

zones. 

Zinc 

mg

381 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Pandanus englerianus Mart. 



Description: An erect branching tree up to 12 m tall. 

The trunk is up to 12 cm across and has prop roots. 

The bark has many sharp prickles. Leaves are long 

(200 cm) and narrow (8-12 cm) and toothed along the 

edge. The fruit is long (40-60 cm) x 10-14 cm across 

and red. 

Distribution: It occurs in coastal areas in New Ireland 

and New Britain. 

Cultivation: Trees are planted. 

Production: 

Use: The red outer layer of the fruit is cooked with hot stones to make a sauce. 



part 

Fruit 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea, it is used for an important sauce very similar to "marita" in 

the mid altitude zones. 

Zinc 

mg

382 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Pandanus krauelianus K.Schumann 



Description: A screwpine or Pandan. The leaves are 

oblong and 2 m long by 3-3.5 cm wide. They have 

short spines along the edges. They taper at the tip. The 

fruit is made up or lots of fused fruit. They are cylinder 

shaped and 20-30 cm long by 5-8 cm wide. The fruit 

are yellow when mature. The small sections are 1.5-2.5 

cm long by 3-5 mm wide. 

Distribution: It grows in mountainous regions along 

rivers. 

Cultivation: 

Production: 

Use: The fruit contains an oil used to flavour food in cooking. 



part 

Fruit 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

383 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Pandanus lamekotensis Mgf. 


Tok ples: Kiat, Kariat, Baig, Keg Plant family: Pandanaceae 

Description: A tree. It grows 4-7 m high. It has 5-8 

branches. The leaves are 250 cm long by 9 cm wide. 

The leaves on the fruiting branches are smaller. There 

are fine thorny teeth along the edge. The fruit is a 

round composite fruit. When mature it is 22 cm long 

by 25 cm wide. It is deep orange to red. The fingers 

are 6-8 cm long by 3-4 cm wide. Their surfaces are not 

deeply furrowed. There are 10-17 nuts. Many are 

empty. The weathered fruit becomes very fibrous. The 

ripe fruit are eaten. 

Distribution: It grows on Lamekot Island in Papua 

New Guinea. It grows on the swampy banks of creeks. 

Cultivation: It starts producing fruit when 1 m high so the first fruit rests on the ground. 

Production: 

Use: The ripe fruit are sucked and can be made into jam. 


Edible 

part 

Fruit 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

384 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Pandanus lauterbachii K. Schum. & Warb. 



Description: A shrub or small tree up to 5 m tall. It 

spreads 2-3 m across the crown. It does not have prop 

roots. The leaves are simple and 1-2 m long. Leaves 

are 4-6 cm wide and strap shaped. They are dark green 

and shiny above and paler underneath. The edges of 

the leaves and the underside on the midrib have teeth. 

Trees are separately male and female. The male flower 

is 50-90 cm long. It hangs down anmd has broad white 

bracts. The female flowering stalk is 70-90 cm long. It 

is branched and has 7-9 spikes. The fruit is up to 10-17 

cm long by 8-12 cm wide. They hang in bunches of 7- 

9 heads. They contain several seeds. Each segment is 

tipped with a prickly point. The seeds are about 1.5 cm 

long. The flesh is edible. 

Distribution: They grow naturally in rainforests in NE 

Queensland in Australia, usually near streams. It is 

also in PNG. It grows in rainforest near mangroves. 

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed. They can also be grown from young plantlets near 

the base of other plants. 

Production: 

Use: The flesh is edible but it can sting the mouth. 


Edible 

part 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

385

386 

Names 

English: Cherimoya Scientific name: Annona cherimola Mill. 


Tok ples: Plant family: Annonaceae 

Description: A small deciduous tree up to 6 -10 m tall. 

In some locations trees keep their leaves throughout the 

year. It has a brown velvety tomentum on the under 

surface of the leaves. The leaves are 8-20 cm long and 

up to 10 cm wide. There is a single leaflet. The 

flowers occur either singly or 2-3 together along the 

branches. The female parts of the flower open first 

then the male parts. The fruit is 8-15 cm across with 

black or brown seeds in white flesh. The fruit is cone 

or heart shaped. It can be 10-20 cm long by 10 cm 

wide. Fruit can weigh 0.5 kg. The skin can have finger 

like markings. The flesh is juicy and each segment has 

one seed. There can be 20-40 large brown seeds in 

each fruit. 

Distribution: Not suited to the lowland hot tropics. It 

grows at higher altitudes in the equatorial tropics. They 

suit places with cool nights. It is better suited to a dry 

climate but not desert. Cherimoya needs to be in areas 

with high humidity during the flowering period. 

Otherwise they suit areas that are cool and fairly dry. It 

is essentially a sub tropical fruit and grows in higher 

altitudes in equatorial regions. Temperatures should be 

above 14° to 15°C. Mature trees can stand light frosts. 

Good deep soils are best but clays that are well drained 

are suitable. It is a subtropical or warm temperate 

plant. It can only tolerate light frosts. Young trees are 

very frost sensitive. They need 50 to 100 hours of mild 

chilling to remain productive. Trees do best in a sunny 

position. A pH of 6.5 to 7.6 is best. It suits hardiness 

zones 10-12. 

Cultivation: Trees are usually grown from seeds but cuttings of ripe wood will root in sand. It 

can be grafted or budded. Seeds can only be stored for 2-3 days when fresh but can be stored for 

several years if kept dry. Seeds will then still grow or they can be planted fresh. Seeds are 

planted about 3 cm deep in fine soil. They will germinate in about 21-40 days. Seedlings are 

often transplanted into pots or plastics bags after 3-4 months then into nursery beds when one 

year old. They are easy to transplant and even trees 3 or 4 years old can be transplanted when 

the leaves have fallen off. It is best done while trees are still dormant. 

Fruit setting is often greatly improved by hand pollination. In some places natural pollinating 

agents do not occur. Hand pollination of the flowers can give more even shaped fruit and also 

ensure more fruit are formed. To do this, flowers are gathered in a small brown paper bag and 

kept till the pollen falls. Then with a small brush the pollen is put on freshly open flowers. The 

three petals of the flower are gently held open and the pollen spread around on the female flower 

parts (pistils). (Pollen can be stored overnight in a refrigerator if necessary.) Several trees 

should be planted near each other to allow them to pollinate. Young trees need support. For best 

growth they need adequate moisture during the growing season and good soil nutrition. Pruning 

during the dormancy period is done to allow strong branches for fruit bearing.

387 

For better kinds of trees it is necessary to use budding or grafting. Rootstocks of Annona 

reticulata or A. squamosa can be used. Grafted trees fruit after about 6 years while seedling 

trees fruit after 11 years. Shield budding done at the beginning of the growing season is often 

used. 

Trees can be spaced 8 metres apart. They can be pruned to give a better shaped tree and this 

should be done when leaves have fallen. Fruit are carried on both current years growth but also 

more prolifically on mature wood. Several trees should be planted near each other for 

pollination. As the roots are very sensitive, fertiliser should not be used at transplanting. 

Production: Trees are fairly fast growing. Trees can fruit in 4 years. Trees mostly only produce 

fruit every second year. Fruit turn a pale green or cream colour as it ripens. As fruit ripen they 

develop a bloom on the skin and the carpels begin to separate. Fruit can be stored under 

refrigeration. The stalk should be cut from the tree and fruit need to be handled carefully. Fruit 

can only be stored for short periods. They need to be stored above 13°C. 

Use: Fruit can be eaten raw or used to make drinks. 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Fruit 73.5 395 1.3 0.5 1 9 

Insects: 

Graphium agamemnon L. Papilionidae (LEP) Green spotted triangle larvae eating leaves 

Diseases: 

Rust Fungus Sphaerophragmium boanense Cummins 

Pests: 

Importance: Occasional trees occur in higher areas within Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

388 

Names 

English: Atemoya, Custard apple Scientific name: Annona cherimola x A squamosa 



Description: A small tree. It can be 3-10 m tall. The 

fruit is large and with segments. It is sweet. These are 

hybrid trees which bear characteristics between 

cherimoyas and sweetsops. They are semideciduous 

losing many of their leaves during the year. Flowering 

often occurs as a new flush of leaves is produced. The 

flesh of the fruit is soft and creamy and sweet. 

Distribution: They are semideciduous and suit the 

subtropics. The plant is suited to the highlands above 

1000 m altitude in the tropics. Low relative humidity 

(less than 70%) shortens the receptive period of the 

stigmas and results in flowers falling off. Humidity can 

be increased by closer spacing, windbreaks and 

misting. As trees are shallow rooted, windbreaks are 

important to prevent trees falling over. Trees will grow 

on a range of soils but more consistent yields come 

from trees on sandy to sandy loams. Waterlogged soils 

cause flowers to fall off. They require uniform soil 

moisture from flowering to harvest. 

Cultivation: A spacing of 6 m apart is suitable. Grafting is used for propagation. Tree pruning 

and training is done to avoid weak branches which break. Potassium is required in reasonable 

amounts. Trees are also sensitive to zinc and boron deficiencies. With high yielding varieties, 

some fruit thinning may be required to maintain fruit size. Flowering corresponds with a new 

flush of growth and so can be controlled by pruning or removing leaves. The stigmas of the 

flowers are only receptive for a few hours and this often results in poor fruit set. Hand 

pollination improves fruit set. This is done by transferring pollen with a brush. 

Production: It takes about 30 days for a flower to fully open and from fruit development to 

maturity takes 4-5 months. 

Use: The fruit are eaten fresh. They are also used for drinks and ice cream. 




Fruit 78.7 309 1.4 0.3 1 43 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Zinc 

mg

389 

Names 

English: Soursop Scientific name: Annona muricata L. 

Tok pisin: Sapasap Synonyms: 


Description: It is a low bushy tree 8-10 m high. The 

leaves are long (14 cm) and narrow (4 cm). The leaves 

are thick and slightly shiny on top. The flowers are 

large (2-3 cm), rounded and produced on short stems on 

the branches. They occur singly, or in groups of three. 

The flowers have two layers of thick fleshy petals. The 

fruit are 10-30 cm long. The fruit is spiny and the flesh 

is juicy. Many black seeds are embedded in the white 

flesh. Fruit are often distorted due to only some of the 

ovules being fertilised. Beetles are normally thought to 

do the pollinating. This means fruit end up heart 

shaped when unevenly pollinated. The flesh of the fruit 

is white. Several kinds with different sweetness, shape 

and juiciness occur. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. It grows in tropical lowland areas below 1200 m altitude. It can 

tolerate quite poor soils and a humid climate. It cannot tolerate frost. The trees can withstand 

temperatures down to freezing (0°C) for a short time but salt laden winds from the sea can kill 

the trees. They need a well drained soil and cannot tolerate waterlogging. The trees continue to 

grow and produce satisfactorily in fairly poor compact soil. But improving the fertility increases 

the amount of fruit. They can grow well in hot humid areas but a fungus disease called Blossom 

blight can cause flowers to fall off. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. 

Cultivation: Trees are grown either as seedling trees or grafted plants. They can be grown from 

cuttings or air layering. Trees are easy to grow and maintain. Plants can easily be grown from 

seeds. Seeds can be planted fresh or stored. Seeds grow in about 15 to 20 days. Trees grown 

from seeds vary in the quality of the fruit. Seedlings are transferred to polythene bags when 15 

cm tall. Trees can also be grown from cuttings or by grafting. This allows better trees to be 

selected and produced. Seedlings are suitable for grafting after 6 months. Trees need to be 

about 5m apart. Flowers are pollinated by insects. Hand pollination of flowers can increase the 

number of fruit that are produced. Fruit are soft and fleshy and difficult to transport. 

Production: Trees grow quickly. Trees commence bearing by the third year. It bears fruit 

almost continually throughout the year, but there is normally one season when more fruit are 

getting ripe. Fruit can weigh up to 4-5 kg each. A tree can produce 12-24 fruit in a year. 

Use: Fruit can be eaten fresh or used in ice-cream and for drinks. 

Young fruit can be cooked as a vegetable. 

Leaves are edible cooked. 

CAUTION The seeds are toxic, so should be removed before processing. 




Fruit 

Leaves 

82.4 294 0.88 0.3 16 0.1 

Insects: 

Ceroplastes chiton Green Coccidae (HEM) Scale insects

390 

Graphium agamemnon L. Papilionidae (LEP) Larvae of Green spotted triangle 


Diseases: 

Sooty mould Fungi Capnodium sp. and Microxyphium sp. 

Blossom blight Fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Penz. 



Pests: 

Importance: A quite popular fruit in many coastal areas of Papua New Guinea and other 

tropical countries.

391 

Names 

English: Bullock’s heart Scientific name: Annona reticulata L. 



Description: A small tree up to 7.5 m tall. It has 

several branches near the base. Trees loose their leaves 

at some times of the year. New shoots have short 

brown hairs but older wood is smooth and shiny. The 

leaves are long and spear shaped with short leaf stalks. 

Around the edge of the leaf is a clear edge. The leaves 

smell when crushed. Flowers are greenish yellow. 

They occur in groups where the leaves join the stalk. 

Flowers occur on new wood growth. The fruit are 

reddish brown in colour and 10-12 cm across. There is 

a fine hexagonal pattern over the fruit. Inside there are 

large brown seeds. The fruit are edible but the seeds 

are not eaten. 

Distribution: It occurs in the tropical lowlands and 

grows up to at least 1200 m altitude. It can grow on 

poorer soils with different levels of acidity. It cannot 

stand waterlogging. It is less suited to dry climates. In 

Nepal it grows to 900 m altitude. It suits hardiness 

zones 10-12. 

Cultivation: Plants are normally grown from seeds. Seedling trees vary quite a bit. Seedlings 

are easy to transplant. A spacing of 4-7 m is suitable. Better kinds can be grown using budding 

or grafting. 

Production: Trees begin fruiting at 3-5 years. Fruit setting is often improved by hand 

pollination. Fruit can vary from 0.25 to 2.25 kg each. Fruit production is seasonal. The season 

is normally Dec. to March. 

Use: The ripe fruit is eaten fresh. 

Caution: The seed kernel is poisonous. 




Fruit 66.4 462 2.06 0.5 10 50 

Insects: 


Paratella sp. Flatidae (HEM) 

Terentius nubifasciatus Walker Membracidae (HOM) 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: Commonly seen on Manus Island and in some other coastal areas in Papua New 

Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

392 

Names 

English: Sweetsop Scientific name: Annona squamosa L. 



Description: A bushy deciduous tree up to 6 m high. It 

has irregular spreading branches. The leaves are 

oblong and narrow, often 12 cm long by 4 cm wide. 

The leaves have fine hairs underneath. The leaves are 

dull green and smell when crushed. The flowers droop 

or hang from branches either singly or in groups of 2 or 

3. The flowers are greenish colour. The fruit are 8-10 

cm across and greenish in colour. The fruit is covered 

with round fleshy scales which drop off as the fruit 

ripens. Inside the fruit are several shiny black seeds 

about 1.5 cm long. The fruit flesh is white and soft. 

Distribution: It suits lowland drier climates. It grows 

naturally in the dry hills around Port Moresby in Papua 

New Guinea. The trees will probably grow 

satisfactorily up to about 1000 metres altitude in 

equatorial zones. Sweetsops cannot stand frost but they 

are able to survive droughts better than many fruit trees. 

Trees do not like waterlogged soils. Sweetsops can 

grow on fairly poor, dry, stony soils. In Bolivia they 

grow in areas with rainfall or 500-1,000 mm per year. 


Cultivation: They are normally grown from seeds and the seeds retain their viability for several 

years. It is better to grow sweetsops from fresh seeds and it is best to soak seeds for 3 days 

before sowing. Seeds germinate and start to grow 50 to 70 days after planting. The fruit is 

borne on old and new wood. As the fruit is more commonly on new wood, pruning is an 

advantage. Trees can be budded or grafted. A small branch of a selected variety is grafted onto 

another seedling sweetsop. Plants are very hard to get to grow from cuttings. A spacing of 6 m 

apart is suitable for sweetsop trees. The fruit is eaten raw. The sweet soft fleshy layer around 

the seeds can be eaten raw. When the fruit is ripe it is easy to separate the different soft fleshy 

parts of the fruit. Often it is easiest and best to harvest the fruit when they are nearly ripe and 

then let them ripen in a warm place. 

Production: The tree is slow growing. Trees can start to produce fruit 2 years after they are 

planted. 

Use: The fruit is eaten raw. It is also used in ice cream. 

Caution: The seeds, leaves and roots are poisonous. Both an alkaloid, and hydrocyanic acid 

have been shown to occur in these parts of the plant. 




Fruit 76.4 441 2.09 0.6 1 40 0.1 

Insects: 


Paratella sp. Flatidae (HEM)

393 

Terentius nubifasciatus Walker. Membracidae (HOM) 

Diseases: 

Blossom blight Fungus Glomerella cingulata 


Pests: 

Importance: It is fairly common in coastal areas of Papua New Guinea especially near Port 

Moresby.

394 

Names 

English: Pacific lychee Scientific name: Pometia pinnata J.R. & G.Forster 

Tok pisin: Ton, Taun Synonyms: 

Tok ples: Plant family: Sapindaceae 

Description: An evergreen tree. It can grow into quite a 

large tree up to 40-50 metres high. At the base of the tree 

there are often large buttresses and the bark is a bright 

orange brown colour and rough and scaly. The hard timber 

is widely used. The young leaves and twigs of the tree are 

bright red. The lowest pair of leaflets are small and clasp 

the stem like stipules. There are often 5-11 pairs of 

leaflets along a stalk and the leaflets at the centre are often 

the largest. The leaflets droop from long stalks. The 

flowers are produced in clusters on stalks that are up to 50 

cm long and grow near the ends of the branches. The 

flowers are small and yellowish green and do not have any 

scent. The skin of the ripe fruit peels off like a mandarin. 

The edible part is a clear layer around the seed, like in a 

rambutan. An inedible kind also occurs. The fruit is 

about 6 cm across and the seed about 3 cm across. 

Distribution: It is native from Malaysia to Polynesia. It occurs in lowland and lower montane 

forest. They occur from sea level to 700 m altitude. They grow along riverbanks and near 

swamps. (The inedible kind occurs on the ridges and is the more useful timber tree.) 

Cultivation: Dispersal of self sown trees is probably by bats or fresh water. Trees are produced 

from seeds. Seedlings are transplanted from a nursery site. Ton are planted from seed. Also self 

sown seedling are transplanted and some trees occur wild in the bush. The seeds are probably 

spread around by fruit eating bats. It probably takes about 5 years from planting until the trees 

bear fruit. The aril around the seed is eaten raw. Roasted seeds are recorded as eaten in other 

countries. 

Production: Plants grow quickly. Fruiting is distinctly seasonal with a short and clearly defined 

season, early in the year. There also appears to be a significant fluctuation between years on the 

amount of fruit set. This does not follow a clearly biennial pattern. In Santa Cruz it has been 

observed that fruit set does not always follow flowering. The cause is not known. The season is 

very short and is between November and March. 

Use: The fleshy layer (aril) around the seed is eaten raw. 

Caution: The edible form of ton must be chosen. The actual seeds have been reported to be 

poisonous. 

The seed are roasted and eaten in parts of the Solomons. 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Fruit 

Seeds 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot 

Pests: 

Importance: A very popular fruit in season. It occurs in several coastal areas in Papua New 

Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

395 

Names 

English: Avocado Scientific name: Persea americana var. americana Mill. 


Tok ples: Plant family: Lauraceae 

Description: A small to medium sized tree. It grows 8- 

10 m high. Trees can grow to 25 m high. The leaf 

stalk is 1.5-5 cm long. Leaves are entire, oval and 5-40 

cm long. Flowers are greenish, small and on the ends 

of branches. Clusters of flowers may contain 200-300 

flowers. Normally only 1-3 fruit develop from each 

cluster. The fruit is pear shaped or round. It can be 7- 

20 cm long. The fruit are greenish-yellow with some 

red colouration. The fruit has greenish yellow flesh and 

a large round seed. There are 3 named races - West 

Indian, Guatemalan and Mexican. 

Distribution: Trees grow from sea level up to 2250 m 

altitude in the tropics. It cannot stand waterlogging. 

Branches are easily damaged by wind. It needs to be in 

a frost free location or where frosts are rare. West 

Indian varieties thrive in humid, tropical climates and 

freeze at or near O°C. It does best with neutral or 

slightly acid soil. West Indian avocadoes can stand 

some salinity. They need a well aerated soil. Growth 

is disrupted when soil temperatures are below 13°C. It 


Cultivation: Seeds remain viable for 2-3 weeks. Fresh seed held at 25°C day to 15°C night will 

germinate in 3 weeks. It is best to propagate vegetatively. Tip cuttings, layers and grafts can be 

used. Because different types have pollen at different times of day, for best pollination a mixture 

of trees which have pollen and flowers receptive at different times gives bet fruit set. Although 

trees will grow in shade, they need sun for fruiting. The leaves do not rot easily and can 

accumulate under trees. Other plants cannot be grown under avocado trees. 

Production: Seedlings grow quickly and continuously in warm, moist conditions. Seedlings 

bear after 5-8 years. Grafted trees can fruit in 1-2 years. A good tree produces 400-600 fruit 

each year. A fruit can weigh 50 g to 1 kg. In the subtropics trees often produce 2 main flushes 

of fruit per year. From fruit set to maturity can take 6-12 months. Fruit ripen off the tree in 4-14 

days. 

Use: The pulp of the fruit is eaten raw or cooked. 

It is mixed with salads. 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Fruit 74.4 805 1.8 0.7 480 11 0.4 

Insects: 

Abgrallaspis cyanophylli (Signoret) Diaspididae (HEM) Armoured scales 

Adoxophyes sp. Tortricidae (LEP) leaf roller 



Zinc 

mg

396 

Ceroplastes destructor Newstead Coccidae (HEM) Soft scale 

Ceroplastes rubens Maskell Coccidae(HEM) Pink wax scale 



Coccus longulus (Douglas) Coccidae(HEM) Soft scale 


Dysmicoccus nesophilus Williams Pseudococcidae (HEM) mealy bug 

Eupholus spp. Curculionidae (COL) Eupholus weevils 

Euricania villica Ricaniidae (HEM) plant hopper 

Ferrisia virgata Cockerell Pseudococcidae (HEM) Striped mealy bug 

Fiorinia fioriniae (Targioni) Diaspididae (HEM) Armoured scale 

Gascardia destructor De Lotto Coccidae (HEM) Soft wax scale 

Graphium agamemnon L. Papilionidae (LEP) Green spotted triangle 

Helopeltis clavifer (Walker) Miridae (HEM) Cacao mired 

Hemiberlesia lataniae (Signoret) Diaspididae (HEM) Armoured scale 

Hemiberlesia palmae (Cockerell) Coccidae (HEM) Soft scale 

Homeoxipha fuscipennis Gryllidae (ORTH) 

Hyposidra talaca (Wlk.) Geometridae (LEP) 

Icerya seychellarum (Westwood) Margarodidae 

Idopsis grisea Faust. Curculionidae (COL) 

Milviscutulus mangiferae (Green) Coccidae(HEM) Soft scale 

Milviscutulus spiculatus Williams Coccidae(HEM) Soft scale 

Morganella longispina (Morgan) Diaspididae (HEM) Armoured scale 


Paratella miniata Mcl. Flatidae (HEM) 

Perissopneumon mealy bug 


Planococcus citri (Risso) Pseudococcidae (HEM) mealy bug 

Pseudodoniella typica China & Carvalho Miridae (HEM) 

Saissetia coffeae (Walker) Coccidae(HEM) Coffee scale 

Selenothrips rubrocinctus (Giard) Thripidae (THYS) Cacao thrips 

Terentius nubifasciatus Walker Membracidae (HOM) 

Xyleborus perforans (Wollastan) Scolytidae(COL) Island pinhole borer 

Diseases: 

Root rot Fungus Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands 

Algal spot Algae Cephaleuros pulvinatus Schmidle 

Root rot Fungus Phellinus noxius (Corner) G.H.Cunn. 

And Rigidoporus microporus (Sw.ex Fr.) Overeem 

And Fusarium solani 

Leaf spot Fungus Corynespora sp. 


Algal spot (red rust) Alga Cephaleuros virescens 

Sooty mould Fungus 

Could get anthracnose Fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporoides 

Pests: 

Importance: It is an important fruit tree in many tropical and subtropical countries. The tree 

and fruit is getting quite wide acceptance at least in the highlands of Papua New Guinea.

397 

Names 

English: Guava Scientific name: Psidium guajava L. 


Tok ples: Plant family: Myrtaceae 

Description: A small tree or shrub 8-10 m high. It is 

evergreen. It has smooth bark which is mottled. The 

bark peels off in smooth flakes. The plant branches 

close to the ground. The branches are four angled. 

Trees are shallow rooted. The leaves are opposite, dull 

green and somewhat hairy. They are oval and 

somewhat pointed at both ends. They are 15 cm long 

by 2-5 cm wide. The leaves have short leaf stalks. The 

flowers are white and showy and borne in loose 

irregular types of arrangements of one to three flowers. 

The petals are 1.5 to 2 cm long. Both self and cross 

pollination occurs due to insects. The flowers grow in 

the axils of leaves on new growth. The fruit are 

rounded and 4 to 5 cm long. They are green but turn 

yellow when ripe. The outer covering is firm and 

encloses a pink or nearly white sweet smelling edible 

pulp. This contains many seeds. It better selected 

varieties both the skin and the seeds are fully edible. 

Fruit vary from very acid to very sweet. 

Distribution: It is native to C and S America. Guavas thrive in both humid and dry tropical 

climates. They do best in sunny positions. They grow wild and are also cultivated. It grows 

well from sea level up to 1600 m and occurs up to 1900 m. In Nepal it grows up to 1400 m 

altitude. It is killed by frost. They fruit better where there is a cooler season. Temperatures near 

30°C give best production. They are very widely distributed in open places and secondary 

forests throughout the islands of the Philippines and Papua New Guinea and can become weedy 

under some conditions. They produce better in soils with good organic matter. They prefer a 

well drained soil but can stand some waterlogging. A pH of 5 to 7 is suitable. Trees cannot 

tolerate salty conditions. It suits hardiness zones 9-12. 

Cultivation: They are mostly grown from seeds but seedling trees vary in quality. Seeds remain 

viable for a year or longer. Seeds germinate in 2-3 weeks but can take 8 weeks. Selected trees 

can be propagated by budding or grafting. They can also be propagated by layering, root 

cuttings or stem cuttings if hormones are used. For stem cuttings the tips are used and grown 

under mist at 28-30°C with bottom heat. Suckers can also be used. Using vegetative methods of 

propagation enables better fruit kinds to be preserved. In the lowland tropics trees are self sown. 

As fruit are produced on new season's growth, pruning does not affect fruiting greatly. Trees 

should be managed to give the maximum number of new vigorous new shoots. Trees can be 

pruned for shape. Trees can be grown at 2.5 m within rows and 6 m apart between rows. 

Production: Seedling trees may begin to bear 2-3 years after transplanting. Pruning back the 

tips slightly increases fruit production. Fruit taste best if ripened on the tree. Ripening can be 

hastened by placing them in a brown paper bag with a banana or apple. Mature fruit which have 

not changed colour can be stored 2-5 weeks at temperatures of 8-10°C and relative humidity of 

85-95%. Mature fruit ripen in 2-3 days at normal temperatures and will keep for 7 days. 

Use: The young leaves are eaten raw or cooked. 

The fruit are eaten raw. 

The fruit can be used for jams and jellies. Half ripe fruit are added to help the jelly set.

398 




Fruit 

Leaves 

77.1 238 1.1 1.4 60 184 0.2 

Insects: 

Abgrallaspis cyanophylli Diaspididae (HEM) Armoured scale 

Aleurodicus dispersus Russel Aleurodidae (HEM) Spiralling whitefly 



Aspidiotus destructor Diaspididae (HEM) Coconut scale 

Bactrocera bryoniae (Tryon.) Tephritidae (DIPT) Fruit fly 

Bactrocera frauenfeldi Schiner Tephritidae (DIPT) Fruit fly 

Bactrocera musae (Try.) Tephritidae (DIPT) Banana fruit fly 

Bactrocera trivialis Drew Tephritidae (DIPT) Fruit fly 

Ceroplastes destructor Newstead Coccidae (HEM) Soft waxy scale 

Chrysomphalus dictyospermi Diaspididae (HEM) Armoured scale 

Coccus longulus Coccidae (HEM) Soft scale 

Dysmicoccus brevipes Pseudococcidae (HEM) Mealybug 

Dysmicoccus nesophilus Pseudococcidae (HEM) Mealybug 

Eucalymnatus tessellates Coccidae (HEM) Soft scale 

Ferrisia virgata Pseudococcidae (HEM) Striped mealybug 


Hemiberlesia lataniae Diaspididae (HEM) Armoured scale 

Hemiberlesia palmae Diaspididae (HEM) Armoured scale 

Icerya purchasi Coccidae (HEM) Soft scale 

Lymantria rosina Pag. Lymantriidae (LEP) Moth larvae 

Oribius destructor Marsh. Curculionidae (COL) Shot hole weevils 

Parasaisettia nigra Coccidae (HEM) Soft scale 

Perissopneumon sp. Pseudococcidae (HEM) Mealy bug 

Planococcus citri Pseudococcidae (HEM) Mealy bug 

Planococcus pacificus Pseudococcidae (HEM) Mealy bug 

Pulvinaria psidii Coccidae (HEM) Soft scale 

Ragwellelus festivus Miller Miridae (HEM) Cardamom mired 

Rastrococcus vicorum Pseudococcidae (HEM) Mealy bug 

Saissettia coffeae Coccidae (HEM) Brown coffee scale 

Saisettia neglecta Coccidae (HEM) Soft scale 

Steatococcus samaraius Coccidae (HEM) Soft scale 

Syntherata janetta White Saturniidae (LEP) Moth larvae 

Unaspis citri Diaspididae (HEM) Armoured scale 

Diseases: 

Fruit rot Fungus Athelia rolfsii 

Fruit rot Fungus Botrydiplodia theobromae 

Anthracnose of fruit Fungus Glomerella cingulata (Ston.)Spauld & Schr. 

Fruit canker Fungus Pestalotiopsis psidii 

Algal spot Algae Cephaleuros virescens Kunz. 

Pests: 

Importance: The trees are widely spread throughout the country and fruit are popular 

particularly with children. Trees mostly grow naturally in coastal areas.

399 

Names 

English: Cherry guava Scientific name: Psidium cattleianum Sabine 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Psidium littorale var. longipes (O. Berg) Fosb. 


Description: An evergreen shrub. It grows 3-6 m high. 

The young shoots are rounded. They can be hairy or 

smooth. The leaf stalk is 4-15 mm long. Leaves are 

dark green and shiny above and 4-6 cm x 2-3 cm. The 

edges of the leaves curl backwards. The leaves are 

wedge shaped at the base. There are several glands 

under the leaf. Flowers are white and singly in the axils 

of leaves. The flower stalk is 3-7 mm long. It has small 

round red or purplish fruit. The flesh is white. There 

are several hard seeds inside. The seeds are 3 mm long 

by 2.5 mm wide. The fruit are edible 

Distribution: It is native to Brazil. It does quite well in 

highland areas in the tropics. It grows from sea level to 

1900 m. It is more frost resistant than common guava. 

It can be grown on a range of soils. It is fairly drought 

resistant. It suits hardiness zones 8-12. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown by seed, suckers or cuttings. Pruning helps fruit production. It 

can be pruned to form a hedge. 

Production: Fruit production is seasonal. There are probably two crops per year. 

Use: Fruit are eaten raw or used in jams and jellies. 




Fruit 80.7 289 0.6 0.2 9 37 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: At present not widely grown in Papua New Guinea, but fruit are liked and it will 

probably get wider acceptance. 

Zinc 

mg

400 

Names 

English: Golden apple, Scientific name: Spondias cytherea Sonnerat 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Spondias dulcis Soland. ex Forst.f. 


Description: Often a Golden apple tree grows to a 

large tree which can be up to 30 m high but is more 

often 15 m high in cultivation. It has a trunk 60 cm 

across which can have buttresses. The bark on the 

trunk of the tree is fairly smooth. The twigs break off 

easily. The wood is soft and not much use. The leaf is 

made up of 4 to 12 pairs of leaflets which have fine 

teeth around the edge. The leaves are 20-30 cm long. 

The leaves are smooth and dark green on top and pale 

green underneath. The leaves are alternate. The leaves 

of the tree fall off for a part of the year. The old leaves 

wither to a bright yellow colour. The flowers are 

produced near the ends of the branches and mostly the 

flowers develop before the new young leaves grow. 

The flowers occur as several flowers on long stalks. 

The flower panicle is 15 to 30 cm long. The flowers 

are small and white. They look something like a 

mango flower. The fruit is yellow, oval and up to 7cm 

long and 4cm across. Sometimes the outside of the 

fruit has a mottled black colour. There is one large 

stone inside divided into 5 cells with a seed in each. 

The stone is branched and has fibres. 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant. They occur in well drained soils or in dry forests. It occurs in 

the lowland rainforest and in valleys up to about 950 m altitude in the equatorial tropics. They 

suit warm tropical and subtropical climates and are frost tender. Flowering is normally during 

the dry season. This may be important for fruit set. The trees also grow in Indonesia, the 

Philippines, Thailand and a number of other Pacific countries. It has also been taken to other 

tropical countries. This species covers a full range from being a wild unutilised tree in some 

areas to a planted, pruned and highly regarded village fruit tree in other areas. It is better suited 

to deeper alluvial soils and rarely occurs on limestone with a thin clay soil cover. Trees often 

grow as a pioneer tree on landslides. The wild trees are probably spread around by birds, pigs 

and people 

Cultivation: Trees are mostly grown from seed and often grows wild. Flowers are bisexual and 

there are no apparent pollination problems. The seeds do not produce true to type so that poor 

and sour fruit are often produced. Seed normally germinate within one month. It is possible to 

grow plants from cuttings although it is difficult. Large cuttings should be used. Doing this 

would enable better types of fruit to be regrown. It can also be grown using budding. Seedling 

trees are larger and more vigorous than budded or grafted trees. Tree spacing varies from 7.5 m 

to 12 m. Young trees benefit by shade during their first year. The top can be cut off trees to give 

a lower and more spreading tree. Large cuttings can be used with difficulty. Trees can be 

topped to give a lower tree with spreading branches. 

Production: Trees may bear from 4-5 years old from seed. Cuttings take 2-3 years. Fruiting 

occurs seasonally from Jan. to April in the southern hemisphere. 

Use: Fruit are eaten after peeling. They are eaten raw or pickled. 

Leaves are edible raw or cooked.

401 

The kernel of the seed may be edible. 

(Some fruit are poor size and very sour.) 

The fruit are also used for sweet drinks and made into jams and chutneys. 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Fruit 70.0 657 0.6 

Leaves 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

Insects: 

Often has leaves eaten by caterpillars. 

Leaves are also attacked by a beetle 



Hemiberlesia palmae (Cockerell) Diaspididae (HEM) Armoured scale 



Diseases: 

Pests: 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: Moderately common in lowland rainforests in Papua New Guinea and also grown 

in villages. Fruit quality varies. It is common and popular in Vietnam. 

Zinc 

mg

402 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Spondias philippensis (Elmer) 

Airy Shaw & Forman 



Description: A small or creeping tree often gaining 

support from other trees. Can be up to 30 m high and 7 

cm across the trunk. Leaves have 1-4 pairs of leaflets. 

The leaflets are somewhat leathery. The white flowers 

are in panicles. The fruit are yellow when ripe and 1-2 

cm across 

Distribution: They grow between 30 and 400 m 

altitude in the tropics. They are mostly in the rainforest. 


Production: 

Use: The fruit are edible but sour. 



part 

Fruit 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: Recorded in the Sepik district of Papua New Guinea. A very minor wild edible 

fruit. 

Zinc 

mg

403 

Names 

English: Carambola, Star Fruit Scientific name: Averrhoa carambola L. 

Tok pisin: Faiv kona Synonyms: 


Description: A small evergreen tree up to 6-12 m high. 

The trunk of the tree is short and crooked and has 

branches near the base. The bark is smooth and dark 

grey. A leaf is made up of 2 to 11 leaflets with a leaflet 

at the end. The leaves are darker and more shiny on the 

top surface. The flowers are small (8 mm long) and red 

and white in clusters on the small branches. The fruit 

are star shaped with five or six angled ridges. They are 

yellow and up to 16 cm long and 9 cm wide. The flesh 

is white. There are one or two shiny light brown seeds 

about 1 cm long, in the bottom of each lobe. Some 

carambola have short styles (female flower parts) and 

these types need to be cross pollinated by insects. This 

means two types need planting. Long style types can 

fertilise themselves. Fruit flavour can vary from very 

acid to very sweet. 

Distribution: Five corners need a warm tropical climate so they are mostly seen in the coastal 

lowlands below about 500m altitude. They will grow up to 1200m in the equatorial tropics. 

Mature trees can tolerate slight frost. Five corner can grow on several different types of soil. 

The soil should be well drained. Plants cannot stand waterlogging. It is suited to moist places 

but performs better in areas where there is some dry season rather than in places with heavy, 

constant rain. Trees are fairly wind resistant providing the winds are not cold. Trees are stressed 

by temperatures near 0°C as well as above 37°C. It grows in Nepal to about 300 m altitude. It 


Cultivation: Trees are grown from seed. Seeds grow easily but in fact only a small number of 

seeds are fertile. Well developed seeds should be chosen. Seeds are planted in a seed bed and 

planted out when 15-20 cm high. Because seeds are produced by cross pollination, variation is 

common. It is therefore better to use budding or grafting. Taking buds off good trees, or 

grafting twigs from them, onto 1 year old seedling roots, is the commonest method. Marcottage 

or air layering can also be used, although it is difficult. A spacing of 6 m x 6 m is suitable. 

Trees need to be grafted if sweeter kinds of fruit are to be selected. Because the seeds are 

covered by a fatty layer, washing them with soap improves the germination 

Production: Seedling trees fruit after 4-5 years. They can produce 400 fruit per tree. Flowers 

open after 14-21 days and fruit mature after 14-15 weeks. Trees live for a long time and some 

fruit is produced at most times of the year. Flowers and fruit can be found on the tree at most 

times, although there is often 2 or 3 main flushes of flowering and fruiting. Fruiting tends to be 

seasonal about March to May in the southern hemisphere. The tree does not require pruning or 

any special care once established. Flowers are cross pollinated by bees, flies and other insects. 

Hand pollination does not help fruit set much. Fruit once ripe will keep for 7-20 days but can be 

stored longer at 12°C. 

Use: Fruit can be eaten raw or used for drinks. 

They can be used for souring dishes. They are also used for jams, jellies, preserves and pickles. 

(They are also useful for cleaning brass.) 

Caution: The fruit contain soluble oxalates.

404 




Fruit 90.8 149 0.5 1 300 40 0.1 

Insects: 

Bactrocera sp. Tephritidae (DIPT) Fruit fly maggots 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot cause unknown 

Fruit rot Fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporoides Penz 

Pests: 

Importance: Trees are moderately common in coastal areas of Papua New Guinea. Types vary 

in their sweetness.

405 

Names 

English: Bilimbi, Cucumber tree Scientific name: Averrhoa bilimbi L. 



Description: A small evergreen tree up to 7-10 m high. 

It can spread 3 m across. The stem is erect and short. 

Leaves are large. Leaves have from 5 to 17 or 34 pairs 

of leaflets. Leaves are pale green. The leaves are often 

clustered near the branch tips. Flowers are crimson. 

They are produced on old branches and the stem. The 

flowers are in 15 cm long clusters. These then bear 

clusters of cucumber shaped fruit on the trunk and older 

branches. Fruit are 8-10 cm long and yellow or green. 

They are soft and fleshy with a few flat seeds in the 

centre. Fruit are sour but edible. 

Distribution: The tree is drought resistant. It will grow 

from sea level up to at least 750 m altitude in the 

tropics. It prefers well composted, moist soil, in a 

protected, partly shaded position. It is frost tender. It 


Cultivation: Trees are mostly grown from seeds. It grows wild in secondary forest in many 

coastal areas in tropical Asia. 

Production: Flowers are produced all year round. Flowering is more common in dry seasons. 

Use: The fruit are used for souring dishes. 

They can also be used for jams, drinks, pickles and in curries. 




Fruit 94.2 84 0.8 1 30 16 

Insects: 

Bactrocera sp. Tephritidae (DIPT) Fruit fly maggots 

Diseases: 

Fruit rot Fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporoides Penz 

Pests: 

Importance: Only of minor use as a flavouring in cooking. Occasional trees occur in Papua 

New Guinea and the fruit is probably little used. 

Zinc 

mg

West Indian lime 

Citrus aurantifolia 

Sweet orange 

Citrus sinensis 

Wild lime 

Citrus hystrix 

406 

Citrus 

Grapefruit 

Citrus paradisi 

Mandarin 

Citrus reticulata 

Pomelo 

Citrus grandis 

Clymenia 

Clymenia polyandra 

Lemon Citrus limon 

Pomelo, Pummelo Citrus grandis 407 

West Indian Lime Citrus aurantifolia 408 

Grapefruit Citrus paradisi 409 

Orange Swit muli Citrus sinensis 410 

Lemon Muli Citrus limon 411 

Citron Citrus medica 412 

Mandarin Citrus reticulata 413 

Wild lime Citrus hystrix 414 

Sour orange Citrus aurantium 415 

Clymenia Clymenia polyandra 416 

Lime berry Triphasia trifolia 417

407 

Names 

English: Pomelo, Pummelo Scientific name: Citrus grandis (L.) Osbeck 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr 

Tok ples: Plant family: Rutaceae 

Description: A spreading, spiny tree. It grows up to 15 

m high. Leaves are large. The leaf stalks have wings. 

Young shoots and stems have fine hairs on them. 

Flowers are large (2 cm) and creamy white. The 

flowers are produced in bunches from woody shoots. 

The fruit is very large (20 cm) with a thick skin. The 

skin is dotted with oil glands. The skin is light green or 

pale yellow. The flesh can be white, pink or red. Each 

segment of the fruit is covered by a strong membrane. 

Some kinds have many seeds, while others are almost 

seedless. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. They thrive in warm 

lowland areas in the tropics. They can grow from sea 

level up to 900 m. They are tolerant of brackish and 

salty conditions. They suit humid climates. 

Cultivation: They are mostly grown from seed, but do not breed true. The seed only produce 

one seedling unlike many citrus. Trees are often produced by aerial layering, but budding or 

grafting can be used. Air-layered trees give sweeter fruit. Trees start producing after about 9 

years. Trees need to be about 9 m apart. Trees grown away from other trees often produce 

almost seedless fruit. 

Production: Fruit is produced almost all the year round. The time from flowering to ripe fruit, 

is about 6 months. Fruit can be stored quite well. 

Use: The fruit can be eaten fresh or made into marmalade. 

The peel can be candied. 




Fruit 

Peel 

89.1 159 0.76 0.11 0 61.0 0.1 

Insects: 

Diseases: 


Pests: 

Importance: Trees can be seen occasionally in several coastal areas of Papua New Guinea and 

they are common in New Ireland Province.

408 

Names 

English: Lime, West Indian Lime Scientific name: Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle 



Description: A small much branched evergreen tree. It 

grows up to 5-6 m tall with short sharp spines. It 

spreads to 3 m across. The leaves are small and dark 

green. There are narrow wings on the leaf stalk. The 

leaf blade is about 5 cm long by 3 cm wide and oval. 

They have a sweet smell when crushed. There is a 

thorn at the base of each leaf. (Thorn free kinds are 

known). The flowers are yellowish white. They are 

2.5 cm across and have 5 petals. The flowers are 

produced in the leaf axils or at the ends of branches. 

The fruit is small, round 3-4 cm across and become 

pale orange to yellow when ripe. They are thin 

skinned. The flesh of the fruit is green. West Indian 

limes with larger, better fruit also occur 

Distribution: They need a warm climate and are most common in coastal regions in the lowland 

tropics. They grow from sea level to 2200 m altitude in Papua New Guinea. They suit humid 

areas and can survive in poor soils. Light to medium well drained soils are best. It is drought 

and frost tender. It grows in Nepal to about 1800 m altitude. It can grow in alkaline soil. It suits 


Cultivation: They are often grown from seed but are better if grafted. Plants can be grown by 

cuttings. A spacing of 4-5 metres is suitable. When grown from seed, several shoots may 

develop from the one seed, which means the seedlings may be identical to the parent. 

Production: Trees can start producing fruit quickly. They fruit in 5-6 years. They normally 

produce fruit all the year round. Fruit drop when mature. Black limes are sun dried limes. They 

are 2.5-4 cm across. 

Use: They are mainly used for juice and drinks. 

They can be used in pickles. 




Fruit 91.0 133 0.7 0.25 4 40 0.1 

Insects: 

Agrilus occipitalis Esch. Buprestidae (COL) Larvae under the bark 

Eudecatoma sp. Eurytomidae (HYMEN) Wasp forming galls 

Papilio aegeus Don Papilionidae (LEP) Larvae of citrus butterfly 

Phyllocnistis citrella Staint Phyllocnistidae (LEP) Citrus leaf miner 

Planococcus citri (Risso) Pseudococcidae (HEM) Mealy bug 

Diseases: 

Sooty mould Fungus Meliola citricola 


Collar & root rot Fungus Phellinus noxius 

Bacterial canker Bacteria Xanthomonas campestris 

Pests: 

Importance: Moderately common in coastal areas of Papua New Guinea

409 

Names 

English: Grapefruit Scientific name: Citrus paradisi Macf. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Probably now Citrus x aurantium Grapefruit gp 


Description: A medium sized evergreen tree up to 10- 

15 m high. They spread 5 m across. The stem is stout 

and crooked. The branches hang down giving a 

rounded crown. The thorns are small. The leaves are 

dark shiny green and sword shaped. They can be 18 cm 

long. The leaves are leathery and they have rounded 

teeth along the edge. The leaf stalk usually has a broad 

wing. The flowers are creamy white and large. The 

flowers occur either singly or in clusters (2-20) in the 

axils of leaves. The flowers are 4-5 cm across. The 

fruit are large, yellow and in clusters. Fruit can be 9-15 

cm across. Fruit are very juicy with a sweet-sour pulp. 

The juice sacs are large but closely packed. There are 

many cultivars. 

Distribution: Plants grow from sea level up to 2000 m 

altitude in the tropics. They are frost tender. Plants 

prefer well-drained soils and a protected sunny 

position. Plants are drought tender. They do best in 

humid climates. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. 

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed. The seed should be sown fresh. Trees are best 

grown by layering or grafting. 

Production: Fruiting tends to be seasonal from April to August in the Southern hemisphere. 

Use: The fruit is eaten as fresh fruit, or the juice is used in drinks. 




Fruit 43.5 45 0.3 0.1 Tr 19 0.1 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Anthracnose Fungus Glomerella cingulata (Stonem)Spauld & Schr. 



Pests: 

Importance: Not widely grown in Papua New Guinea.

410 

Names 

English: Orange, Sweet orange Scientific name: Citrus sinensis (L.)Osbeck 

Tok pisin: Swit muli Synonyms: Probably now Citrus x aurantium 

Sweet Orange group 


Description: An evergreen tree up to 8-10 m high. It 

spreads to 4 m across. The stem is short, stout and 

spiny. It has a dense, rounded crown. The leaves are 

dark green, sword shaped and tapering towards the tip. 

They are 5-15 cm long. The leaves have a sweet smell 

when crushed. The leaf stalks have narrow wings and 

the stalk is jointed to the blade. The flowers are white 

and have a scent. The flowers have 5 petals and occur 

either singly or in clusters. The fruit often remain 

green colour and don't turn orange when ripened below 

600 m altitude in the tropics. The fruit are about 9 cm 

across. They have 10-14 segments. 

Distribution: Not suited to very wet areas. Not suited 

to high altitudes. Seeds won't grow below 13 °C. They 

need a well drained, fertile, sandy soil. They are 

drought and frost tender. Trees need temperatures 

above 3-5°C to grow. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. 

Cultivation: Trees are often grown from seeds but these do not breed true. Seeds grow most 

easily between 27°C and 32°C. It is better to use budded plants. Plants can also be grafted. 

Green fruit can be treated with ethylene to give an orange colour, if people think an "orange" 

fruit is not supposed to have green colour! 

Production: 

Use: The fruit is eaten fresh, and the juice used in drinks. 




Fruit 86.8 197 0.94 0.1 21 53.2 0.1 

Insects: 

Diseases: 


Sooty mould Fungus 

Pests: 

Importance: Trees are seen scattered in many lowland areas in Papua New Guinea. Few good 

quality fruit are produced.

411 

Names 

English: Lemon Scientific name: Citrus limon (L.) Burm.f 

Tok pisin: Muli Synonyms: Probably now Citrus x limon 


Description: A small evergreen tree with short spines. 

It grows to 7 m high and spreads to 3 m across. It 

branches freely. Young branches are often reddish. 

Leaves are about 5-12 cm long. They are green and 

drawn out to a point, with notched edges. The leaf 

stalk is usually not winged. The leaves do not have 

much of a scent. The flowers are white, with 5 petals 

and have a strong sweet smell. They are 4-5 cm across. 

The fruit is oval shaped and with a knob at the end. 

Fruit can be 7-15 cm long. The skin is fairly thin, 

rough and light yellow. The flesh is sour and the seeds 

are oval. 

Distribution: Trees do not do well on the coast in the tropics but they grow well at about 1300 

m and will grow up to 2200 m altitude in Papua New Guinea. They prefer a light to medium, 

well drained soil. They are drought resistant but most varieties are frost tender. They need a 

temperature above 3-5°C for growth. They suit temperate regions. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. 

Cultivation: Many trees are seedlings. Better trees are grafted. 

Production: 

Use: The fruit is mostly too sour to eat fresh but the juice is used to make drinks. 

The peel is candied. 




Fruit 83.3 65 1.1 0.4 Tr 80 0.1 

Juice 91.3 31 0.3 0.1 Tr 50 Tr 

Insects: 

Aonidiella aurantii Maskell Diaspididae (HEM) Red scale 

Amblypelta theobromae Brown Coreidae (HEM) Amblypelta bug 

Oribius cinereus Mshl. Curculionidae (COL) Shot hole weevil 

Papilio aegeus Don Papilionidae (LEP) Orchard butterfly 

Phyllocnistis citrella Staint Phyllocnistidae (LEP) Citrus leaf miner 


Rhinoscapha thomsoni Waterh. Curculionidae (COL) Weevil 

Unaspis citri (Comst.) Diaspididae (HEM) White louse scale 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungus Ascochyta citri Penz. 

Sooty mould Fungus Meliola citricola Sydow 


Scab Fungus Sphaceloma fawcettii 


Pests: 

Importance: Less common than West Indian limes on the coast in Papua New Guinea but more 

common in highland areas.

412 

Names 

English: Citron Scientific name: Citrus medica L. 



Description: A small evergreen tree. It grows up to 3- 

5 m high and spreads to 2 m across. The stem is stout, 

erect and thorny. The leaves are green and 20 cm x 10 

cm. The tree has fat spines. The leaves have teeth 

along the edge. The leaf stalk does not have wings. 

The flowers are white, star shaped and with 5 petals. 

They have a scent. The fruit are large and long, with a 

rough skin. The fruit grows to 15-25 cm long by 10-15 

cm wide. The flesh is white. The fruit does not have a 

lot of juice. 

Distribution: It prefers rich, moist soils. They should 

be in a protected sunny position. They are drought and 

frost tender. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. 

Cultivation: Trees can be grown by seed, cuttings or grafting. 

Production: 

Use: The thick layer of inner white skin is used as candied peel. 




Fruit 90.2 170 0.7 0.5 53 0.1 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Scab Fungus Sphaceloma fawcettii 


Pests: 

Importance: Fruit are sold in markets. Trees and fruit are only occasionally seen in Papua New 

Guinea.

413 

Names 

English: Mandarin, Tangerine Scientific name: Citrus reticulata Blanco 



Description: A small evergreen tree up to 4-8 m tall. It 

spreads to 2 m across. The stem is erect, branching and 

thorny. The leaves are dark green, and long and narrow 

in shape. They are 3-4 cm long. There is only a 

narrow wing on the leaf stalk. It has a few or no spines. 

The flowers are white and star shaped. They are 2.5-4 

cm across and have a scent. Fruit are almost round and 

the skin peels off easily. The fruit are 4-8 cm long. 

The flesh is red, juicy and sweet. 

Distribution: The hardiest of the citrus. It grows from 

sea level up to 2300 m altitude in the tropics. They do 

best between 800 m and 1200 m altitude. A well 

drained soil is needed. They also prefer a drier climate. 

It is drought and frost resistant. They need a 

temperature above 3-5 °C. It suits hardiness zones 9- 

11. 

Cultivation: Often trees are grown from seed. Some breed true from seed. Seedling trees take a 

long time to start producing fruit. Budded trees are best. A spacing of about 8 m between trees 

is suitable. From one seed, several seedlings can grow. Using seedlings of seeds with 3 or more 

shoots helps produce trees true to type. Cuttings or layering can also be used. 

Production: Fruit tend to be produced seasonally. The season is often from April to August in 

the Southern Hemisphere. 

Use: The fruit are eaten fresh. 




Fruit 87.6 184 1.5 0.8 42 RE 136 

Insects: 

Black leaf-footed bug Coreidae (HEM) Leptoglossus australis (F). 

Also scales, aphids, fruit flies and leaf miners. 

Diseases: 

Sooty mould Fungus Meliola citricola Sydow 

Pink encrustation on stems Fungus Podonectria sp. 

Pests: 

Importance: Not widely grown in Papua New Guinea but more are being planted. 

Zinc 

mg

414 

Names 

English: Wild lime Scientific name: Citrus hystrix (L.) D.C. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Probable syn. Citrus papuana Bail. 


Description: A low shrubby tree up to 6 or 8 m high. 

The trunk is thin and crooked. It has slender sharp 

thorns. The leaf petiole has very large lobes. The leaf 

is oval. The leaves can be 8-15 cm long by 3-5cm wide 

including the leafy stalks. The leaves are dark green 

and shiny above and pale and matt underneath. The 

flowers are small and white. The fruit are small (8 cm 

across) with a rough, thick skin and very little edible 

pulp inside. They are very acid. The peel of the fruit is 

very fragrant. 

Distribution: It mainly occurs in lowland areas in the 

tropics. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. 

Cultivation: It often now grows wild in coastal areas. It grows slowly. 

Production: The tree flowers throughout the year but has most ripe fruit about June and July. 

Use: The leaves and fruit are used to make drinks or to flavour food. 

The fruit are eaten crystallised. The juice of the fruit is used for flavouring. 



part 

Fruit 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: A citrus of only minor importance in Papua New Guinea, but grown is some 

coastal areas. 

Zinc 

mg

415 

Names 

English: Sour orange Scientific name: Citrus aurantium L. 



Description: An evergreen tree up to 10-15 m high and 

with slender thorns. It spreads to 5 m across. The stem 

is stout and erect. It is covered with smooth greyishbrown 

bark. The leaf stalks have broad wings. The 

leaves are glossy green, oval and 10 cm long. The 

leaves taper towards the base and are paler under the 

leaf. There are spines in the axils of the leaves. The 

flowers are white and have a sweet smell. They are 2 

cm across and there can be 1, 2 or a cluster, in the axils 

of leaves. The fruit is often green with a reddish tinge 

and fairly juicy but sour. The fruit are 5-7 cm long. 

The fruit is often rough skinned. The flesh is divided 

into segments with sour pulp. 

Distribution: Mostly in coastal areas in the tropics. It 

is drought and frost resistant. It does best in a protected 

sunny position. It must have a temperature above 3- 

5°C to grow. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. 

Cultivation: It is mostly grown from seeds. It can also be grown by cuttings. The seeds often 

produce several shoots. 

Production: 

Use: The fruit is bitter, therefore mostly used for marmalade or flavouring. 

The fruit are used for peel and for sherry and wine. 

The tree is used as a rootstock for budding or grafting other citrus on to. 

The oil from the flowers is used for flavouring. 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Fruit 86.0 205 0.9 0.5 4 53 

Peel 

Diseases: 

Insects: 

Aonidiella citrina Coq Diaspididae (HEM) Yellow scale 

Pests: 

Importance: Trees are scattered in a number of coastal areas in Papua New Guinea but fruit are 

not used and just left lying under the tree. 

Zinc 

mg

416 

Names 

English: Clymenia Scientific name: Clymenia polyandra (Tanaka) Swingle 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Citrus polyandra Tanaka; 

Citrus flaviflora Peekel 


Description: A citrus relative. The tree is 5-8 m tall. 

The leaves are large (18 cm x 6 cm) and simple. 

Young leaves have lobes. The leaves are more thin and 

papery than other citrus. The leaves taper towards the 

tip and have notched edges. The leaf stalks are short 

and without wings. It does not have thorns. The 

flowers are dark yellow and 2.5-3 cm across. They 

occur either singly, or as 2-4 together, in the axils of 

leaves. The fruit is yellow and the size of a large lime. 

They are 7-10 cm long by 6-8 cm wide. The flesh is 

edible. The skin of the fruit can irritate human skin. 

The seeds are flattish with lines on them. 

Distribution: It is cultivated on Manus and New 

Ireland. It only occurs in PNG. 

Cultivation: Trees are grown from seed. 

Production: Some kinds have sweet pleasant tasting fruit. 



Edible 

part 

Fruit 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea, fruit are of moderate importance in only a few limited 

areas. It could become important for breeding or rootstocks. 

Zinc 

mg

417 

Names 

English: Lime berry Scientific name: Triphasia trifolia (Burm.f.)P.Wils. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Triphasia trifoliata (L.) DC. 


Description: A small spiny shrub up to 7 m high with 

slender zigzag twigs. There are 2 spines near each leaf. 

The leaves have 3 leaflets and are small and dark green 

with slightly toothed edges. Flowers are in axils of 

leaves and are white and about 1 cm across. The small 

berry is green when young and turns red when ripe. 

They are 1-2 cm across. The skin has glands in it and 

the 3 sections of the fruit have 1-3 slimy seeds inside. 

Distribution: It grows in tropical Asia. They are 

widely distributed in the settled areas of the Philippines 

and are sometimes cultivated. Mainly in lowland 

coastal areas. 


Production: 

Use: The fruit are eaten raw or cooked or made into jam or juice. They are preserved in syrup. 

They are also pickled. 


Edible 

part 

Fruit 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: A minor cultivated fruit in some coastal villages in Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

418 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Corynocarpus cribbianus (F.M.Bail.) L.Smith 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Cyanocarpus cribbiana F.M. Bail. 

Tok ples: Mundroi Plant family: Corynocarpaceae 

Description: A medium sized tree, up to 20 m 

high. The trunk can be straight or crooked. 

The bark is grey, with many long cracks along 

it. The twigs vary between angular and round, 

in cross section. The leaf stalk is 1-5 cm long 

and with a groove along it. The leaf is 9-26 

cm long by 3-13 cm wide. (Leaves tend to be 

larger in the Solomons than in Papua New 

Guinea or Australia.) The leaf is pointed at the 

tip, and rounded near the base. The 8-11 pairs 

of veins curve, and join near the leaf edge. 

The veins have a dent inwards on the top of 

the leaf surface, and are raised, underneath the 

leaf. The leaf is thin textured but firm. The 

flower cluster is branched and about 20 cm 

long. 

The individual flower stalks are about 2-4 mm long. The flowers have a scent, and are whitish 

or occasionally slightly pink or greenish. It produces clusters of fruit on the ends of the 

branches. The fruit are 10 -12 cm x 8-10 cm, and have one large seed inside. The fruit is green 

when young, and pink or cream when ripe. The fruit is shaped like a mango. This is an 

attractive tree, especially when fruiting. It is a good shade tree. 

Distribution: Trees occur in well drained rainforest, up to 1800 m altitude, in the tropics near 

the equator. They have been recorded up to 2750 m above sea level. They occur naturally in 

Australia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. In the Solomons trees have been 

recorded up to 600 m above sea level. 

Cultivation: Trees are grown from seed. 

Production: The tree flowers and fruits throughout the year. The fruit fall when ripe, and are 

then collected from the ground. (It is important to only use fruit which fall naturally) 

Use: The fruit are edible. They are sweet but not juicy. Fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. 


Edible 

part 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: This is a quite important fruit in Papua New Guinea on Manus and on islands near 

Madang. 

Zinc 

mg

419 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Baccaurea papuana F.M.Bail. 



Description: A small tree up to 12 m tall but often only 

3-4 m high. The leaves are rather rough and clustered 

at the ends of the small branches. The leaves are 10 to 

18 cm long and 6 to 8 cm wide. The edges of the 

leaves are wavy and the leaf is tapered towards the 

base. Flowers form long yellow stalks. These female 

flower stalks are 15-20 cm long. They have a sweet 

smell. The fruit hang on a chain (raceme) from the 

branches and main trunk. The fruit are 4-5 cm across 

and turn yellow when ripe. Male and female trees 

occur. The flower gives off a strong smell. The fruit 

have several seeds inside. 

Distribution: They occur in several lowland areas from 

sea level up to 1600 m altitude. They are mainly eaten 

in Gulf and Milne Bay Provinces of Papua New 

Guinea. 

Cultivation: They are both cultivated and grow wild from seed. 

Production: 



Edible 

part 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: An indigenous tree in Papua New Guinea, valued in some areas and at least worth 

evaluation. Several other Baccaurea species are grown and used in SE Asia. 

Zinc 

mg

420 

Names 

English: Tree tomato, Tamarillo Scientific name: Cyphomandra betacea 

(Cavanilles) Sendtner 



Description: This is a small fruit tree or shrub in the 

tomato and tobacco family. It grows as a shrub with 

soft wood and it grows up to 4 m high. The stem is 5- 

10 cm across. It is brittle and shallow rooted. The 

leaves are large (25 cm x 12 cm) and soft. They are 

heart shaped at the base. The flowers are 1-2 cm across 

with a sweet smell. They are in loose clusters near the 

ends of branches. Flowers are normally self pollinating 

but need wind. The fruit is about 6-12 cm long, the 

shape of a hen's egg and red or orange in colour. They 

hang off the ends of the branches. The skin of the fruit 

is somewhat tough but the flesh around the seeds is soft 

and juicy. The flesh varies between yellow and dark 

purple. The flesh is edible. The seeds are black, thin 

and nearly flat. They are edible. 

Distribution: Tree tomatoes are subtropical and the normal range is 750 m to 2200 m altitude in 

the equatorial tropics but can be up to 3000 m in continental tropical regions. In Nepal it grows 

between 1000-1400 m altitude. It is slightly more hardy to cold temperatures than the tomato. 

They do best where average temperatures are about 15°-21°C. Plants don't fruit at low altitudes 

in the tropics. Plants do best where temperatures are above 10°C. Trees cannot stand much frost 

although mature trees will survive light frosts over short periods. They can't stand waterlogging 

or drought. Trees can grow under shade but do better in the sun unless it is too hot and dry. 

Deep, fertile, permeable soil is best. The trees can be grown in shade as well as in full sunlight. 

They need garden sites that are clean of disease and fertile. Plants don't fruit at low altitudes in 

the tropics due to constant high temperatures. They are susceptible to frost damage. The brittle 

branches make them easily damaged by wind and therefore needing sheltered sites. They need 

shelter from strong wind. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. 

Cultivation: They can be grown from seeds or cuttings. Seeds grow better is they are washed 

and dried then placed in a freezer for 24 hours before planting out. Seeds produce a high 

branched erect tree. Cuttings produce a lower bushier plant. Cuttings of 60-90 cm long stalks 

are suitable. Cuttings should be taken from 1 to 2 year old wood which is 1-2 cm thick. Root 

cuttings can also be used. It has shallow roots therefore needs careful weeding. A spacing of 3 

m apart is sufficient. Because the roots are easily damaged by nematodes, plants grafted or 

budded onto rootstocks that are resistant to nematode will live longer. The root rot fungus can 

mean it is difficult to get plants established in old gardens. The root knot nematodes also mean 

trees can die more quickly than they should, and sometimes this occurs in 3 or 4 years. High 

humidity can also cause stem rots. Young plants can be pruned to produce lower branches and 

fruiting. As fruit is produced on new branches, branches which have borne fruit can be pruned 

out. Flowers are self compatible so that pollination can occur within the one plant by wind. 

Production: It commences bearing in its second year, when grown from seed. Fruit production 

is continuous throughout the year. Trees can bear hundreds of fruit year round. The tree is short 

lived lasting 5 or 6 years. Yields of 20 kg per plant are possible. Fruit are ready to harvest when 

the red or yellow colour develops. Fruit can be stored in a refrigerator for 10 weeks provided 

they are not frozen (3°C).

421 

Use: The content of the berries is eaten. It can be eaten raw or cooked. The layer just under the 

skin can be bitter while the layer around the seeds is sweet. The seeds can be eaten, or strained 

out. The outside skin is easily removed by immersing fruit in boiling water for one or two 

minutes. 

Sometimes the fruit is boiled to make a drink. 


Edible 

part 

Fruit 

Seed 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Insects: 

Bactrocera tryoni Frogg Tephritidae(DIPT) Queensland fruit fly 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungus Ascochyta sp. 

Very susceptible to root rot Fungus Phytophthora palmivora Butl. 

And Pythium sp. 

Leave and ripe fruit get anthracnose Fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporoides Penz. 

Pests: 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea it is quite often seen in the highlands and appears to be 

increasing in importance. 

Zinc 

mg

422 

Names 

English: Naranjilla Scientific name: Solanum quitoense Lam. 



Description: A small shrub up to 2 m high. It is hairy 

or thorny. The leaves are large (60 cm) and angular 

and hairy on both surfaces. They have thorns along the 

veins. Young leaves are purple. The flowers are pale 

violet and 2-4 cm across. The fruit are produced in 

clusters on the trunk. The fruit is bright orange in 

colour and covered with short hairs which can be 

removed by rubbing. The fruit is about 6 cm across. 

The flesh is yellow-orange to green. It has numerous 

small edible seeds. 

Distribution: It suits the highland areas in the tropics. 

The best altitude is probably 800 to 2000 m. In the 

Andes it grows between 1,500-2,800 m altitude. The 

temperatures are 14-22°C. It is frost sensitive. It likes 

humidity. It grows well with rainfall of 1,500 mm per 

year. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. 

Cultivation: They are grown from seeds. Seeds can be bought in stores or collected from the 

fruit. Seeds germinate in 25-40 days in warm soil. A spacing of 1-2 m is suitable. Plants can be 

grown from cuttings. Cuttings need to be about 15 cm long. The cuttings should be stored for a 

few days to allow the cut surfaces to heal before planting. Grafting onto more resistant root 

stocks is possible. 

Production: Plants commence bearing fruit after 6-12 months. They bear fruit throughout the 

year. 

Use: Fruit is eaten fresh or used for jams and drinks. 


Edible 

part 

Insects: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

Diseases: 


Pests: 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: Plants are not common in Papua New Guinea, but they are increasing in 

importance in the highlands. 

Zinc 

mg

423 

Names 

English: Argus pheasant tree Scientific name: Dracontomelon dao (Blanco) Merr. & Rolfe 

Tok pisin: Mon Synonyms: Dracontomelon puberulum Miq. 


Description: A large tree up to 50 m tall and with an umbrella 

shaped crown of leaves. It often has buttresses at the base. The 

leaves are hairy and compound with both the leaflets and leaves 

carried alternately. The leaves come one after the other on 

opposite sides and have 5 to 7 pairs of leaflets. The leaves are 

pointed at the end and bluntly pointed at the base. The leaflets 

have a smooth edge. Young leaves are reddish colour. The 

flowers are small white, with no smell and carried as several on 

a stalk. The fruit are yellow and round. The fruit is 2-3 cm 

across and has 5 flecks around it. There is little edible flesh 

around a flattened seed. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. It grows in lowland rainforest 

and in valleys up to about 800 m. It occurs in high rainfall 

areas. It is common throughout the Philippines at low altitudes. 

The tree also occurs in other SE Asian countries. They are 

common from northern Luzon to southern Mindanao in the 

Philippines. 

Cultivation: Trees are grown from seed. Many trees grow wild. 

Production: It flowers and fruits throughout most of the year. Leaf fall and a fruit flush follows 

a dry spell. Trees can produce after 3-4 years. An average fruit weighs 17 g. The season 

normally coincides with the breadfruit and mango season. The fruit turn slightly yellow when 

ripe and the seed inside turns brown. If the seed inside is white, then the fruit is not ripe. 

Use: The fleshy part of the fruit is eaten raw. It is sour. They are used as a sour relish. 

The flowers and leaves can be cooked and eaten as a vegetable. 

The kernel inside the seed is edible. 

Caution: The sap of the tree may be irritating and /or poisonous. 


Edible 

part 

Fruit 

Leaves 

Flower 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: The fruit are sold in markets. The tree is common in coastal areas of Papua New 

Guinea, but the popularity of the fruit varies. In Madang it is a most popular fruit. 

Zinc 

mg

424 

Names 

English: Surinam cherry Scientific name: Eugenia uniflora L. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Eugenia michelii Lamk.; 


Description: A small tree up to 5-7.5 m high. It is 

often a much smaller shrub. Branches often develop 

close to the ground. The branches are thin and wiry. It 

has attractive oval and pointed leaves. They are dark 

green and shiny. The leaves are 2.5-6 cm long by 1.5-3 

cm wide. New leaves are dark purple or red. The 

flowers are small and white and the fruit is lobed and 

red. There is a single large seed inside. The fruit is 

about 3 cm across. The tree is used as a hedge plant. 

The flesh of the fruit is edible. 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant. It is native to South 

America. It grows in the tropical lowlands from sea 

level up to about 800 m or higher in Papua New 

Guinea. In south India it grows to 1700 m altitude. 

It is suited to a warm moist climate. Adequate moisture is needed during fruit development. It 

can be grown in the subtropics. It can stand some frost. Mature trees can withstand frosts down 

to -3°C. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. 

Cultivation: Trees are mostly grown from seeds but can be grown from cuttings. Seeds should 

be fresh. Seeds grow in 3-5 weeks. Seed which are extracted from the fruit then washed and 

dried can be stored for a month. Seed can be sun dried for 7 days then stored in cool open 

containers for a few months. Seed can be planted 1-2 cm deep in nursery beds than transplanted 

when 20-30 cm tall. Trees can be trimmed and pruned to form hedges. Ground layering and 

suckers could probably be used to produce new plants. Tips from trees with better fruit types 

can be grafted onto seedling root stocks. 

Production: It is a slow growing plant. Several crops of fruit are produced each year. Flowers 

or fruit can be on the tree throughout the year in tropical locations. Trees start to produce fruit 

after about 3-4 years. Fruit are mature 5-6 weeks after flowering. 

Use: The ripe fruit is eaten fresh. It can be cooked or used for jams and other products. 



part 

Fruit 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Diseases: 

Scab of fruit Fungi Pestalotia eugeniae Thuem. 

And Pyrenochaeta sp. 

Pests: 

Importance: Trees have been grown and distributed in some coastal areas in Papua New 

Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

425 

Names 

English: Sweet cherry, Beach cherry Scientific name: Eugenia reinwardtiana (Blume)DC 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Eugenia carissoides F. Muell. 


Description: A tree up to 3-6 m tall. It 

spreads 0.5-2 m across. The bark is smooth 

and flaky. It is pale brown. The young 

shoots have short hairs pressed against the 

stem. The leaves are simple and 2-9 cm 

long by 1-4.5 cm across. They are smooth 

and have oil dots along them. The leaf 

stalks are short (0.2-0.4 cm long). The 

leaves are fairly thick with a blunt tip. The 

leaves are shiny on the upper surface. 

Young leaves are bronze red. The flowers 

are mostly 1-3 together. The flowers are 

white and about 1.2 cm across. Both male 

and female parts occur on the one flower. 

The fruit occur either singly or in bunches in the angles of leaves. The fruit are 1.5-2.1 cm long 

by 1.3-2.3 cm wide. When ripe the fruit are red. There is one seed inside. The seed is 0.7-1.2 

cm long. The flesh is edible. 

Distribution: It is native to NE Australia. It is a tropical rainforest species. Often it occurs in 

coastal scrub. They can tolerate salt laden winds. They require a well drained soil. Trees will 

grow in full sunlight or heavy shade. They can tolerate very slight frosts. 

Cultivation: They can be grown from seed. They can also be grown from cuttings but the 

cuttings are slow to form roots. 

Production: Trees are very slow growing but commence flowering while still small. Trees 

flower and fruit throughout the year. Most commonly flowering is June to February with fruit 

maturing August to March. 

Use: The flesh of the fruit is eaten. 


Edible 

part 

Fruit 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: It is reported to be in some areas in Western Province in Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

426 

Names 

English: Watery rose apple Scientific name: Syzygium aqueum (Burm.f.)Alst. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Eugenia aquea Burman f. 


Description: It mostly occurs as just a small shrub with 

branches near the base. It is 5-8 m tall. But it can 

occur as a tree up to 10-30 m high with a short crooked 

trunk. The trunk can be 70 cm across. The twigs are 

angular and carry simple opposite leaves. The leaves 

are somewhat narrow and pointed at both ends and they 

clasp the stem without a stalk. They are stiff. They are 

from 5 to 23 cm long by 6 cm wide. They have a heart 

shaped base. The leaves have many oil dots. The 

flowers are yellowish green. They are about 3 cm 

across. The flowers occur in many flowered clusters in 

the angles of leaves. They can also be on the ends of 

branches and on side shoots from stems. Flowers and 

fruit are slightly scented. The fruit is a fleshy yellow or 

red berry which is bell shaped. The fruit is about 3-5 

cm across. It has a crater in the end with a long thread 

in it. The fruit is waxy and crisp and is often seedless. 

When seeds occur there can be one or more seeds. The 

fruit is edible. 

Distribution: It occurs in many tropical countries. In grows in lower montaine forest. It grows 

from sea level to 1600 metres near the equator. It grows well in wet places but needs a well 

drained soil. They can grow in poor alkaline soils. They are found in Samar in the Philippines 

growing in areas of shrub and forest at low and medium altitudes. Plants are sensitive to frost. It 


Cultivation: Trees can be grown fairly easily from cuttings but can also be grown by air layering 

or budding. Buds do not always continue to grow successfully. A spacing of 6-8 metres 

between trees is suitable. Where seeds occur, plants can be grown from fresh seed. Fruit from 

these plants can be more oily and acidic. 

Production: Fruiting is seasonal but there can be 2 or 3 crops a year. In the southern 

hemisphere flowering is often about October with fruit from October to January. Fruit develop 

quickly. 


They are also used for drinks. 



part 

Fruit 

% KJ g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

Insects: 

Coccus viridus Coccidae (HEM) Green scale 

Diseases: 

proVit C 

mg 

Pests: 

Importance: It is moderately common in lowland areas of Papua New Guinea and suits drier 

areas than Malay apple. 

Zinc 

mg

427 

Names 

English: Malay-apple Scientific name: Syzygium malaccense (L.)Merr. et Perry 

Tok pisin: Laulau Synonyms: Eugenia malaccensis L. 


Description: An evergreen tree 5 to 25 m tall. It spreads out 

to 4 m across. Trees tend to branch near the base. Leaves are 

simple, thick and leathery and shiny on both surfaces. They 

are large and oval. Leaves can be up to 25-30 cm long and 

12 cm wide. The leaves have a vein around the edge of the 

leaf. Flowers are produced on old wood and on the trunk as 

well as in the angles where leaves join and at the ends of 

branches. Flowers are purple, crimson or white and 2.5 cm 

across. They mostly occur in dense clusters giving a brilliant 

display. The red stamens are often fallen under the tree. The 

fruit is rounded or oblong and 5-6 cm across by 6-8 cm long. 

The fruit has white flesh around a large brown seed. The 

seed is about 1.3 cm by 1.7 cm. Some kinds are seedless. 

The skin of the fruit is red or pink with darker stripes. The 

fruit are edible. 

Distribution: They grow in coastal areas in the tropics and up to 1000 m altitude. It is a 

rainforest species. They need fertile soil, plenty of moisture, and good drainage. They are 

sensitive to frost. It does best in an open sunny position. It can tolerate drought but does best 

where there is an absence of drought. They occur in NE Queensland in Australia and across 

Malesia. They have also been introduced into other regions. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. 

Cultivation: Trees are normally grown from seed. Seeds need to be fresh. Where termites are a 

problem damaging seedlings, growing them in light shade reduces the problem. Plants can be 

grown by budding, grafting, layering or cuttings. Aerial layering is probably the most common 

method for vegetative propagation. Budding onto rootstocks of the same species have proven 

successful, but they are rarely successful if rootstocks of related species are used. A spacing of 

10 m between trees is suitable. 

Production: Flowering and fruiting is seasonal. In the southern hemisphere flowering is about 

October to November. Fruit ripen in 2-3 months. The fruit are ripe January to February. 

Use: The fruit can be eaten fresh or cooked. They are also used in jam and pickles. 

The young leaves are eaten. The flowers have also been recorded as being eaten. 




Fruit 

Leaves 

91.1 105 0.4 0.4 15 

Insects: 

Bactrocera sp. Tephritidae (DIPT) Fruit fly larvae 

Coccus viridus Coccidae (HEM) Green scale 

Lasiodactylus notabilis Oliff. Nitidulidae (COL) 

Cryptophasa sp nr arithmologa Meyr. Xyloryctidae (LEP) 

Diseases: 

Sooty mould Fungi Chaetothyrium womersleyi Hansf. 

And Brooksia tropicalis Hansf. 

Importance: A common village fruit tree in coastal areas of Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

428 

Names 

English: Java apple Scientific name: Syzygium javanicum Miq. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Eugenia javanica Lam. 


Description: A tree which grows 5-15 m tall. It often 

has branches near the base. The leaves are smooth on 

both surfaces. It has a short leaf stalk. Fruit are usually 

green but can be pink or red. White fruited kinds are 

often seedless while pink fruited kinds can have 1 or 2 

seeds. The fruit are pear shaped. The skin of the fruit 

has a waxy feel. The fruit can be 12.5 cm long. 

Distribution: It needs a fertile soil. In south India it 

grows to 1200 m altitude. 

Cultivation: Plants can be grown by seed. Seed need to be sown while fresh. Seedless kinds are 

grown using air layering. Where branches are low to the ground layering in the soil can be used. 

Production: Trees start to produce fruit while still small. 

Use: Fresh fruit are eaten raw. They are also made into sauce. 



part 

Fruit 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

429 

Names 

English: Rose apple Scientific name: Syzygium jambos (L.)Alston 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Eugenia jambos L. 


Description: An evergreen tree. It grows up to 7.5-15 m tall 

and with a spread of 4 m. It can be a small shrub. The stem is 

erect and 20-40 cm across. The branches hang downwards. The 

bark is greyish-green. The young twigs are either flattened of 

somewhat square in cross section. The leaves are simple, thick 

and shiny. The leaves are narrow and pointed (10-20 cm long 

and 3-4 cm wide). They taper towards both ends. Young leaves 

are brownish red coloured. The leaves have 16-18 pairs of side 

veins which join near the edge of the leaf. The leaf stalk is 1 cm 

long. The flowers are large (4-5 cm) and greenish-white and 

fluffy. They occur in clusters at the ends of branches. The fruit 

is rose scented and apple like. They are dull yellow and tinged 

pink. Fruit are 4 cm across. The fruit have a distinct crown at 

the end. They contain 1 or 2 large seeds. The seeds are pale 

brown. The fruit is edible. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. It needs adequate moisture and suits the warm moist tropics. It 

can't stand waterlogging. It prefers a rich well composted soil but will do well on poorer soils. 

It does best in an open sunny position. It is drought and frost tender. It is often along stream 

banks. It does well near the sea shore. Young plants need shade and moisture but established 

trees can tolerate harder conditions. It probably grows up to about 1200 metres above sea level 

in equatorial regions but near the altitudinal and latitudinal limits it produces no fruit. Trees can 

grow on a variety of soils. A pH between 5.5 and 7 is recommended. In Nepal it grows between 

600-1400 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. 

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed. Seeds germinate well and have no dormancy. 

Seeds often give rise to more than one seedling. These can be carefully separated when young. 

As fruit quality varies it is best to preserve better kinds of trees using vegetative propagation 

methods. Plants can be grafted or budded if needed. Cuttings root fairly easily in sand. Tip 

cuttings are suitable. Trees need to be 6-8 metres apart. 

Production: Trees grow slowly. They start bearing when 4-5 years old. Fruiting is normally 

seasonal but over a long season. In the northern hemisphere it flowers from April to May and 

fruit ripen July to August. 

Use: The fruit are eaten raw. They are poor as a dessert fruit but because of the sweet rose smell 

are often crystallised and used in sweets. They can be used for jams and jellies. (It is good to 

mix with other fruits as rose apple helps the jam to set.) 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Fruit 80.4 105 0.6 0.1 34 27 0.1 

Insects: 

Green scale Coccidae (HEM) Coccus viridus 

Diseases: 

Sooty mould Fungi Chaetothyrium womersleyi Hansf. 

And Brooksia tropicalis Hansf. 

Importance: Not widely grown or used in Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

430 

Names 

English: Pink satinash Scientific name: Syzygium sayeri 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Eugenia sayeri 


Description: A tree. It grows up to 35 m tall. The 

leavess are simple. They are 7-16 cm long and smooth. 

Usually there are 2 veins near the edge of the leaf. Oil 

dots are visible on the leaves. The fruit are 3-4 cm 

acrpss. The hang in bunches on special branches. 

These are usually within the crown of the tree. There is 

one seed inside. The seed is 1-2 cm long. The flesh of 

the fruit is edible 

Distribution: It grows in lowland and upland rainforest 

in north east Queensland in Australia. 

Cultivation: 

Production: The fruiting season is mostly November to April. 




part 

Fruit 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

431 

Names 

English: Lockerbie Satinash Scientific name: Syzygium branderhorstii Laut. 



Description: A tree which grows up to 10 m 

tall. It has a rounded dense crown of leaves. 

The small branches are round in cross section. 

The leaves are oblong and thick. They are14- 

18 cm long by 6-9 cm wide. They are dark 

green on the upper surface and paler 

underneath. The flowers are small and cream 

to red coloured. They occur in large numbers 

in clusters on the trunk and larger branches. 

The fruit is oval and about 4 cm across. It may 

vary between white to dark purple. The fruit 

are edible. 

Distribution: It occurs in northern Queensland and in Papua New Guinea. It occurs in the 

lowland rainforest. 

Cultivation: Plants need protection when young. They need plenty of watering. 

Production: Plants grow less quickly in subtropical regions. Flowers are produced September to 

November and fruit are ripe December to March. 

Use: The fruit are eaten. 


Edible 

part 

Fruit 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

432 

Fruit (Continued) 


Fivrous Satinash Syzygium fibrosum 433 

White apple Syzygium forte subsp. forte 434 

Java apple Syzygium samarangensis 435 

Red bush apple Syzygium suborbiculare 436 

Bamaga Satinash Syzygium tierneyanum 437 

Governor’s plum Flacourtia indica 438 

Thornless rukam Lovi-lovi Flacourtia inermis 439 

Coffee plum Flacourtia jangomas 440 

Rukam Flacourtia rukam 441 

Red raspberry Rubus fraxinifolius 442 

Black raspberry Rubus lasiocarpus 443 

Moluccan bramble Rubus moluccanus 444 

Rubus parvifolius 445 

Rose-leafed raspberry Rubus rosifolius 446 

Rubus archboldianus 447 

Alpine strawberry Fragaria vesca 448 

Garden strawberry Fragaria x ananassa 449 

Purple passionfruit Passiflora edulis 450 

Banana passionfruit Passiflora tripartita var. mollisima 452 

Yellow granadilla Passiflora laurifolia 453 

Sweet granadilla Passiflora ligularis 454 

Passionflower Passiflora foetida 455 

Granadilla Passiflora quandrangularis 456 

Pakal Parartocarpus venenosus 457 

Tooth-leafed winter cherry Physalis angulata 458 

Native gooseberry Physalis minima 459 

Canistel Pouteria campechiana 460 

Pouteria maclayana 461 

Peach Prunus persica 462 

Plum Prunus sp. 463 

Durian Durio zibethinus 464 

Mangosteen Garcinia mangostana 466 

Warren’s mangosteen Garcinia warrenii 468 

Garcinia riparia 469 

Garcinia eugeniaefolia 470 

Egg tree Garcinia dulcis 471 

Loquat Eriobotrya japonica 472 

Mango Mangifera indica 473 

Wild mango Mangifera minor 475 

Horse mango Mangifera foetida 476 

Wild mango Mangifera altissima 477 

Horsfieldia sylvestris 478 

Mangrove nutmeg Myristica hollrungii 479 

European grape Vitis vinifera 480 

Wild olive, Yellow plum Ximenia americana var. america 481 

Salak Salacca zalacca 482 

Nonda plum Parinari nonda 483 

Santol 

More fruit listed page 485 

Sandoricum koetjape 484

433 

Names 

English: Fibrous satinash, Apricot Satinash Scientific name: Syzygium fibrosum 

(Bailey) T. Hartley & Perry 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Eugenia fibrosa 


Description: A tree which grows about 5-10- 

15 m tall. It has a rounded canopy of leaves. 

The new leaf growth is bright purplish red. 

(This is more so when plants are in sunny 

positions.) The branches usually hang 

downwards. The bark is smooth and mottled 

brown-grey. The leaves are sword shaped and 

thick and leathery. They are 6-15 cm long by 

4-5 cm wide. They are dark green and shiny 

on the upper surface and paler underneath. 

The tip is pointed. The flowers occur in 

clusters on the ends of branches. 

The flowers are dull orange to brown. They have many stamens which can be 2.5 cm long 

giving the flower a fluffy appearance. The fruit are round and bright red when ripe. They are 

fleshy and 2 cm across. The crown at the end is prominent. The fruit have one seed inside. 

Fruit can often be seedless. The fruit is edible. 

Distribution: Trees occur in northeast Queensland in Australia and in Papua New Guinea. It is 

a rainforest species and also occurs in monsoon vine forest. It often grows near stream banks 

and in shady positions. They need well drained soils. They benefit from organic matter in the 

soil. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. They can be grown from cuttings but the cuttings are 

slow to strike. 

Production: Trees flower from April to December and the fruit are ripe July to January. 

Use: The fruit is eaten raw. 



part 

Fruit 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

434 

Names 

English: White apple Scientific name: Syzygium forte subsp. forte 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Eugenia fortis 


Description: A graceful tree. It grows up to 15 m tall. 

It has a round crown of leaves. The bark is papery. 

The young shoots are deep bronze colour. The leaves 

are thick with a blunt point. They are 14 cm long by 8 

cm wide. They are bright green on the upper surface 

and dull underneath. The flowers are white. They 

occur in clusters at the ends of small branches. The 

fruit are oval and white and grow to 6 cm across. The 

fruit are edible. The fruit have one seed inside and it is 

1-2.5 cm long. 

Distribution: It occurs in northern Australia and in Papua New Guinea. It grows near the 

seaside on sandy soils. It can tolerate salt laden winds. They cannot tolerate poorly drained 

soils. 


Production: Plants are slow growing. 



Edible 

part 

Fruit 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

435 

Names 

English: Java apple Scientific name: Syzygium samarangensis 

(Blume) Merr. & Perry 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Eugenia javanica Lam. in part 


Description: A tree up to 15 m high which branches 

near the base giving a spreading open tree. The leaves 

are smaller (25 cm x 10 cm) and more pointed than 

Malay apple and on short stalks. Flowers are about 3 

cm wide and white. They are on leafy twigs. It 

produces clusters of attractive glossy pink waxy 

looking fruit. Fruit are 3 cm long and 3-5 cm wide. At 

the end of the fruit there is a cavity almost enclosed by 

four lobes. The fruit has a waxy skin and crispy flesh. 

Distribution: Trees grow in coastal areas in the tropics. 

They need a deep fertile soil. It needs adequate rainfall 

and some humidity. It suits hardiness zones 11-12. 

Cultivation: Plants are mainly raised from seeds. Fresh seeds must be used. Often few seeds 

are produced. They can be propagated by air layering or budding. Girdling of the shoots and 

using rooting hormones enables cuttings to be used for propagation. A spacing of 8-10 m apart 

is suitable. 

Production: It is fast growing. Trees start fruiting when quite small. Fruit production is 

seasonal. Normally large numbers of fruit are produced. 





Fruit 90.3 94 0.7 0.8 0 8 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: This is not a common fruit tree in Papua New Guinea. Where it occurs fruit 

quality is poor. 

Zinc 

mg

436 

Names 

English: Lady apple, Red bush apple Scientific name: Syzygium suborbiculare 

(Benth.) T. Hartley & Perry 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Eugenia suborbicularis Benth. 


Description: A tree. It grows 8-12 m tall. It has an 

upright form and a rounded crown. The bark is slightly 

rough, tightly attached and is grey-brown. The leaves 

are oval to roundish, opposite and smooth. They are 7- 

19 cm long by 4-13 cm wide. They are glossy and dark 

green on the upper surface and paler underneath. They 

have a short pinted tip. The flowers are large. They 

have numerous stamens. The flowers are 3-5 cm long 

by 2.5-3 cm wide and carried in dense clusters at the 

ends of branches. The fruit can occur either singly or in 

bunches. The fruit is round but flattened and fleshy. It 

is 3-7 cm long by 3.5-9 cm wide. It has distinct ribs 

and is red when ripe. The flesh around the seed is 1 cm 

thick. It is crunchy and bluish-pink in colour. It is 

edible. There is one large seed inside. The seed is 

about 3.5-5 cm across. It looks like a large apricot 

stone. 

Distribution: It is a tropical tree. It occurs as an understorey tree to open forest. It also grows in 

rainforest. It occurs on well drained soils and sandy soils. It can tolerate fire because it produces 

a lignotuber under the ground. It can regrow from this tuber. During drought it can lose most of 

its leaves. It tolerates salty winds. 

Cultivation: It can be grown from fresh seed. Branches are low making harvesting easy. Fruit 

should be harvested when ripe before fruit fall. 

Production: Seedling growth can be rapid. Flowering occurs July to October in Australia and 

fruiting is October to February. It can produce fruit during any month but tends to fruit during 

the wet season. The quality of the fruit varies between trees. 


They can be used in cooking or for sauces and relishes. 




Fruit 89.3 146 0.6 1.2 8 0.2 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: A popular food in northern Australia.

437 

Names 

English: Bamaga satinash, River cherry Scientific name: Syzygium tierneyanum 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Eugenia tierneyana 


Description: A small tree. It grows to 10-25 

m tall. It has a spreading dense crown. The 

bark is flaky. The young shoots are coppery 

brown. The leaves are sword shaped and thin. 

They are smooth and without hairs. They are 

9-18 cm long by 6 cm wide. They are dark 

glossy green on the upper surface and paler 

underneath. The flowers are fairly large. 

They are cream and borne in small clusters in 

the axils of the older leaves. The fruit are 

round and 2 cm across. They are usually pink 

or red but may be white. The fruit are edible. 

There is one seed inside. It is 5-8 mm across. 

The cut seed is red-purple. 

Distribution: A tropical tree. It occurs in north east Queensland in Australia. Plants will grow 

in a range of soils. They need plenty of moisture. They occur in rainforests. 

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from fresh seed. 

Production: In Australia the fruit are ripe in January and February. 




part 

Fruit 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

438 

Names 

English: Governor’s plum Scientific name: Flacourtia indica (Burm.f.)Merr. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Flacourtia ramontchii L'Her. 


Description: A shrub or small tree. It grows 5-15 m 

high. The trunk is crooked and low branched and armed 

with scattered slender spines. The leaves are alternate, 

pointed at the base and rounded at the tip. The edges of 

the leaves toothed with rounded lobes. Leaves are dark 

green on top and pale green underneath. They are 6-17 

cm long and 3-7 cm wide. Male and female trees 

occur. The flowers are small and white, occur singly or 

in pairs in the axils of leaves or near the ends of short 

branches. The fruit are rounded, fleshy, purple or 

nearly black. They are smooth and about 1 cm across. 

The flesh is yellowish, juicy and acid. There are 6 to 

10 small flattened seeds inside. 

Distribution: They are found in the Philippines. They 

thrive in dry shrubby areas at low altitudes. Trees grow 

in coastal areas and up to 700 m or higher. They suit 

drier areas. In Yunnan, China it grows between 700- 

1500 m altitude. It grows in subtropical broadleaved 

evergreen forest. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. 

Cultivation: Trees are normally grown from seed. Groups of trees containing both male and 

female trees need to be grown from root suckers or by budding. A spacing of 12-16 m apart is 

needed. 

Production: Fruit matures in 60 days from pollination. 

Use: The fleshy pulp of the fruit is eaten raw when ripe. 

They are also cooked and eaten. 

They can be used to make jelly. 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Fruit 69.5 452 0.5 1.2 15 14 

Insects: 

A caterpillar of an unidentified moth eats the leaves. 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: The fruit are eaten especially by children. A fruit tree occasionally seen in lowland 

areas of Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

439 

Names 

English: Thornless rukam Scientific name: Flacourtia inermis Roxb. 

Tok pisin: Lovi-lovi Synonyms: 


Description: It is a small tree. It grows up to 15 m 

high. It is without spines on the trunk. The trunk is 

often crooked. Leaves are 10-20 cm long and 5-9 cm 

wide. New leaves are deep red. Flowers have both 

sexes. The fruit is round, green when young and dark 

red when ripe. It is about 2-3 cm across. It has 5 seeds 

inside. 

Distribution: Trees occur in New Britain in Papua 

New Guinea and some other coastal areas. They grow 

from sea level up to about 1300 m. They can grown on 

a variety of soils. 

Cultivation: Trees are mostly grown from seed. It is 

better to grow them by marcottage or budding. 

Seedlings take up to 18 months to be ready to plant out. 

A spacing of 12-16 m apart is needed. Seeds are small. 

Production: Fruit is mostly ready about May to July in the Southern hemisphere. 

Use: Many kinds have sour fruit so they are often cooked or used for jam, jellies, syrups and 

preserves. 



part 

Fruit 

% KJ g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Insects: 

Closteria rubida Druce. Notodontidae (LEP) Caterpillars of moth chewing leaves 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot probably Fungus 

Pests: 

Importance: Trees occur occasionally in coastal areas of Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

440 

Names 

English: Coffee plum Scientific name: Flacourtia jangomas (Lour.) Raeusch 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Flacourtia cataphracta Roxb ex Willd 


Description: A small deciduous tree up to 10 m tall. It 

spreads to 3 m across. The stem is erect and branching. 

Young tree parts can have large branched spines. The 

leaves are 5-10 cm long and 2-4 cm wide. Young 

leaves are red and glossy. There are several flushes of 

new growth during the year. Old trees often do not 

have thorns on the trunk or branches. Flowers are 

small and in clusters in the axils of leaves. They have a 

strong sweet smell. The fruit is a dull brownish red 

with a greenish yellow pulp. Fruit are about 2 cm 

across. 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant. In regions near the 

equator they are grown as a fruit tree up to about 600 

m. They would probably grow up to about 1500 m. It 

also occurs wild. It does best in rich, moist soil. It 

needs a protected site and a partly shaded position. It is 

damaged by drought and frost. It suits hardiness zones 

10-12. 

Cultivation: Trees are mostly grown from seed but better kinds should be propagated by 

grafting. They can be grown by cuttings. It produces root suckers and these can be used for 

planting. A spacing of 14-16 m apart is needed. 

Production: Fruiting is seasonal. Fruit probably occur from May to October. Rubbing the fruit 

to bruise them improves eating quality. 

Use: The ripe fruit are eaten fresh. Because they are sour, they are often used for jams or 

preserves. 

The young red leaves are edible. They contain tannin. They are also used for tea. 

Young roots are edible. 



part 

Fruit 

Leaves 

Roots 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: Trees have been planted in a few coastal areas in Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

441 

Names 

English: Rukam Scientific name: Flacourtia rukam Zoll. and Mor. 



Description: A tree reaching a height of 5-20 m and 

about 30 cm across the trunk. It can be 40 m tall with a 

trunk 1 m across. The old branches are usually crooked 

with furrows along them. The leaves are 5 to 15 cm 

long and 4-7 cm wide and pointed at the tip. Young 

leaves are reddish brown and leaves are shiny on top. 

The young stems are very rough. The flowers are very 

small and occur in greenish yellow clusters in axils of 

leaves. They occur with separate sexes in separate 

flowers. The fruit is a flattened berry with soft juicy 

flesh and a red colour. The trunk in young trees has 

many simple spines. The leaf size and shape varies a 

lot. 

Distribution: It grows in humid tropical conditions. It can grow in shade as well as full sun. 

They occur in Benguet to the southern parts of the islands of the Philippines. Trees occur in tall 

lowland rainforest. They probably grow from sea level up to about 1600 m in Papua New 

Guinea. In Samoa it grows from 50 to 550 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. 

Cultivation: Trees are mostly self sown. They grow from seed. Seed germinate quickly and 

easily. Trees can be grown from seed or root suckers. Root suckers are commonly produced. 

Fruit are made sweeter by rubbing them after harvest. Trees can also be budded or grafted. 

Trees are spaced 8-12 m apart. 

Production: Fruiting is seasonal. There can be several flowering and fruiting flushes during the 

year. Fruit are often produced about Sept to Nov in the southern hemisphere. Fruit take 14 

weeks to ripen. 

Use: The fruit are eaten raw when ripe. It can be sour and is used for jam, sauce or pickles. 

The young leaves and shoots are edible. 

The young roots are edible. 



part % KJ g 

Fruit 

Leaves 

Roots 

77 345 1.7 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea, trees occur but are not very common in coastal areas. 

Zinc 

mg

442 

Names 

English: Red raspberry Scientific name: Rubus fraxinifolius Poir. 



Description: A scrambling shrub reaching 2 to 4 m 

high. It is armed with fair sized sharp spines. The 

leaves have leaflets on opposite sides of the stalk with 3 

to 11 leaflets. The edges are toothed and they are 

pointed at the tip and slanting at the base. The flowers 

are white and the berries borne in clusters. The berries 

are bright red and fairly juicy but tasteless. The fruit 

are 0.8-1.4 cm across. 

Distribution: They grow in damp forests at low and 

medium altitudes up to 1800 m. They occur in the 

Philippines. It grows in thickets near sea level in 

Taiwan. 

Cultivation: 

Production: 

Use: The berries are eaten raw. 



part 

Fruit 

% KJ g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

Insects: 

Gymnopholus marquardti Hllr. Curculionidae (COL) Weevils 

Gymnopholus interpres Hllr. Curculionidae (COL) 

proVit C 

mg 

Diseases: 

Rust Fungus Hamaspora acutissima Sydow 

Pests: 

Importance: The plants are common in Papua New Guinea. The fruit is mainly eaten by 

children. 

Zinc 

mg

443 

Names 

English: Black raspberry Scientific name: Rubus lasiocarpus Smith 



Description: A long white cane with large thorns along 

it. It produces black fruit. 

Distribution: It has been introduced from India. It 

grows between 800 m and 2600 m altitude. 

Cultivation: It grows wild and is cultivated. New plants do not grow easily from canes. 

Production: 

Use: The fruit is eaten or used for drinks. 



part 

Fruit 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: It is gaining importance as a fruit around compounds and houses in the highlands 

of Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

444 

Names 

English: Molucca bramble Scientific name: Rubus moluccanus L. 



Description: A scrambling shrub reaching 2 to 

3 m high. They can be 10-15 m long. The 

stems and leaves are armed with medium sized 

spines. The leaves are large and lobed and the 

upper surface hairy. The leaves can be 25 cm 

long and 25 cm wide. They are broadly heart 

shaped with 5 indistinct lobes. The flowers 

are white and borne in clusters. The berries 

are about 1-3 cm across. They are red and 

with little flavour. 

Distribution: They occur in mountains in the 

Philippines. They are common in the 

highlands of Papua New Guinea from sea level 

to 2700 m. 

Cultivation: They both grow wild. They could be grown by division of the root. 

Production: 

Use: The berries are eaten raw. 


Edible 

part 

Fruit 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: The plants are common in Papua New Guinea. The fruit is mainly eaten by 

children. 

Zinc 

mg

445 

Names 

English: Rose-leaved raspberry Scientific name: Rubus parvifolius L. 



Description: An evergreen shrub. It is weakly 

climbing or trailing. It grows to 60 cm high and 

spreads to 1-3 m across. The stem is trailing and 

prickly The leaves have 3 leaflets. The leaflets are 2-6 

cm long. The leaves have teeth around the edge. These 

have a silvery undersurface. The flowers are small and 

pink. The fruit are red. They have a few, large, pointed 

grains. 

Distribution: It will grow on most soils. it is drought 

and frost resistant. 

Cultivation: Plants can be grown by cuttings. 

Production: 




part 

Fruit 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

446 

Names 

English: Rose-leaf bramble Scientific name: Rubus rosifolius Smith 



Description: A spiny evergreen shrub. It grows to 3 m 

high and spreads to 3 m across. The stem is trailing 

and forms suckers. The leaves have 3 to 7 leaflets on 

opposite sides of the stalk. These are either smooth or 

hairy with lobed edges. The leaflets are 1-9 cm long. 

The flowers are white and 3 cm across. The fruit are 

red and about 1.5 to 2 cm across. They occur on their 

own or in clusters. They are juicy and tasteless. They 

have several seeds inside which are very tiny. 

Distribution: Plants are resistant to drought and frost. They are common in forests in the 

Philippines at low and medium altitudes. They are common in the highlands. In Papua New 

Guinea, Rubus rosifolius grows from 750-2850 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. 

Cultivation: They grow wild. They could be grown by division of the root or from cuttings. 

Production: 





Fruit 82.9 1.3 1 0.3 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: The plants are common in Papua New Guinea. The fruit is eaten especially by 

children.

447 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Rubus archboldianus Merr. & Perry 



Description: A climbing or scrambling shrub. The 

stems are up to 5 m long. The prickles are 2 mm long 

and curved. Often they are purplish. The leaves have 3 

leaflets. The leaf stalks are 1-4 cm long. The leaflets 

are oval and the side ones are 5.5 cm long by 4 cm 

wide. The edges of the leaves have saw like teeth. The 

leaves are leathery. The flowerings stalks have 1 or 2 

flower stalks below the end flower. These have 1 or 2 

flowers each. The petals are red. The fruit or berry is 3 

cm across made up of many small fruit. The fruit is 

dark red. The fruit are edible. 

Distribution: In mountain forests from 1,800 to 3,600 

m altitude. 

Cultivation: 

Production: 



Edible 

part 

Fruit 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

448 

Names 

English: Alpine strawberry Scientific name: Fragaria vesca L. 



Description: A small plant which keeps growing from 

year to year. It grows to 20 cm high and spreads to 30 

cm wide. The stems are long runners which form roots 

at the nodes. The leaves have 3 leaflets and are bright 

green. The leaflets are oval and with coarse teeth 

around the edge. They are 6 cm long and arranged in 

rings on long leaf stalks. The flowers are small white 

and open. They have 5 petals. The fruit are oval and 

fleshy. They are white and turn red (or white) as they 

ripen. They are sweet. A strawberry with small leaves 

and fruit and the seeds are on the outside of the fruit. 

Distribution: It grows from 1600 m up to 3550 m in 

the tropics. They do poorly in hot humid climates. It 

becomes naturalised in high mountain regions in Papua 

New Guinea. It needs well drained soils and a 

protected sunny position. They are drought and frost 

tender. They enjoy acid soil. It suits hardiness zones 

5-9. 

Cultivation: They can be grown from seed. Seed are best put in a refrigerator for 2 weeks 

before planting. Mostly they are grown from runners. It grows wild in some areas. 

Production: 


The leaves are used to make tea. It has a good flavour and is high in Vit C. 


Edible 

part 

Fruit 

Leaves 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

449 

Names 

English: Garden strawberry Scientific name: Fragaria x ananassa Duchesne 



Description: A herb which keeps growing from year to 

year. The stems are short. The leaves occur in a ring 

and the plant has runners with new rings of leaves. The 

leaves have 3 leaflets. The leaf stalk is 1.5 cm long. 

They have soft hairs. The leaflets can be 1.8-7 cm long 

by 1.3-6 cm wide. There are teeth along the edge. The 

flowering shoots are up to 26 cm long. There can be 16 

flowers on branches that divided into 2 at each joint. 

The false fruits are round or oval and 4.5 cm long by 

5.5 cm wide. 

Distribution: It suits temperate and subtropical 

locations. It can be grown in the highlands in tropical 

regions. It suits hardiness zones 3-10. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from runners. These 

runners form roots and then new plants. Flowers 

require short days and warm weather, otherwise only 

runners form. Plants form few runners when there is no 

winter cold. 

Production: 

Use: The ripe fruit are eaten raw. They are also used in desserts. 

They are also used in jams, preserves and for flavouring. 




Fruit 91.2 126 0.6 0.4 3 57 0.1 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance:

450 

Names 

English: Purple passionfruit Scientific name: Passiflora edulis Sims 


Tok ples: Plant family: Passifloraceae 

Description: A vine which continues to grow for 

several years. The main vine becomes woody. Vines 

can be 6-7 m long. It climbs by tendrils. The leaves 

are shaped like the fingers on a hand with three lobes. 

They are 5-10 cm long. The vine can set flowers at 

each leaf. The flowers are white and often tinted 

purple. They are 5 cm across. The fruit are oblong and 

thickly dotted with purple when ripe. The skin is hard 

and they have a sweet smell. The flesh is orange. The 

seed occupy most of the inside with a small amount of 

flesh. The flesh is edible. 

Distribution: A subtropical plant. They are cultivated 

up to 2000 m altitude in the tropics. The purple variety 

grows in the highlands up to 3000 m. It can stand very 

light frosts. The yellow one grows in the lowlands. Its 

normal range is 700 to 2300 m. Often fruit set is poor 

in wet conditions. Wind breaks are important. Vines 

can tolerate very light frosts. If frosts are likely 

wrapping the stems near ground level with insulation 

paper can help protect the plant. Heavy rain at 

flowering can reduce fruit set through poor pollination. 

Soils should be fertile, moist and well drained. Plants 

cannot tolerate waterlogging. A pH in the range 5.5-6.5 

is best. In Nepal they grow between 1200-1700 m 


Cultivation: Plants are grown by seeds or cuttings. Seeds germinate in 15-45 days. Seedlings 

can be grafted. When the end shoots of the mother plant are the same thickness as the seedling 

stem, shoot tips 8 cm long can be used. The leaves should be removed from the cutting being 

used in the graft. An even light and high humidity allows these grafted plants to be ready in a 

few weeks. Plants are put in a hole 30 cm deep and which has had organic matter added. A 

spacing of 3-4 m apart is suitable. Plants need a trellis to climb over. Often a trellis 2 m high is 

used. Normally the side shoots are picked off until the vine reaches the trellis height. Then the 

tip is picked out to promote branching. Normally later pruning is not done. Putting mulch 

around the plant helps retain moisture and adds nutrients as well as controlling weeds. Hand 

pollination can improve fruit set. The fruit turns purple, wrinkles then drops off when ripe. 

Balanced fertiliser to promote healthy growth is important. Deficiencies of magnesium, iron, 

zinc, copper and boron can occur in some places. Pruning is important to keep vines vigorous. 

Production: Plants produce after about 12-18 months and keep producing well for 4 or 5 years. 

Good production is related to keeping the vine growing well by avoiding low temperatures and 

lack of water. Plants are pollinated by insects, so it is important to not kill these with 

insecticides. They can also self pollinate. Fruit mature between 60 and 100 days from 

pollination. 

Use: The fleshy portion of the fruit is eaten raw. 

Passionfruit are also used for flavouring in juices, and with other foods. 

The seeds are edible.

451 




Fruit 

Seeds 

73.3 280 2.8 1.3 10 20 0.1 

Insects: 




Idiopsis grisea Faust. Curculionidae (COL) Weevil 

Leptoglossus australis (Fab.) Coreidae (HEM) Black leaf footed bug 

Oribius cinereus Mshl. Curculionidae (COL) Shot hole weevils 

Oribius destructor Mshl. Curculionidae (COL) Shothole weevils 

Oribius inimicus Mshl. Curculionidae (COL) Shothole weevils 





Diseases: 

Brown spot Fungus Alternaria passiflorae J.H.Simm. 

Pests: 

Importance: Plants are common in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. The fruit are eaten but 

are not popular.

452 

Names 

English: Banana passionfruit Scientific name: Passiflora tripartita var. mollisima 

(Kunth.) Hlm-Niels. & P.M. Jorg. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Passiflora mollissima (Kunth) L. H. Bailey 


Description: A vigorous vine. It has a leaf with 3 

lobes. The vine has tendrils by which it attaches to 

other plants. The flowers are pink and about 7.5 cm 

across. The fruit is long and yellow, 5-12 cm long x 3- 

4 cm diameter. It contains several hard black seeds. 

Distribution: In continuously wet areas in temperate or 

high altitude tropical regions the plant can spread 

rapidly climbing trees for support. It is suited to colder 

highland conditions. It grows wild over 2500 m 

altitude in Papua New Guinea. Plants will fruit 

between 1600 and 2800 m altitude in the tropics. 

Cultivation: Seeds can be sown in a nursery and then 

transplanted. Plants are mostly grown from seeds, but 

it can be propagated by cuttings. Bottom heating the 

seeds at 20-26°C can result in germination at 1-2 

weeks, at lower temperatures seeds can take up to 10 

weeks to germinate. Plants need a framework to climb 

over. 

Production: Up to 300 fruit can be produced from a well established vine. 

Use: The fruit is eaten when ripe. 

It is also used for drinks. 


Edible 

part 

Fruit 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea is common and fairly popular fruit in very high altitude 

areas. 

Zinc 

mg

453 

Names 

English: Yellow granadilla Scientific name: Passiflora laurifolia L. 



Description: A perennial climbing vine. It can be up to 

10 m long. Leaves do not have lobes and stems are 

round. Leaves are rounded (10 cm x 5 cm), hairless 

and rough. Flowers are large (6 cm across) and have a 

pleasant smell. Fruit are oblong and taper at both ends. 

They are about 8 cm x 5 cm smooth and yellow or 

orange when ripe. They have tough yellow skins and 

paler orange pulp. The fruit are edible. 

Distribution: It grows in lowland areas in the tropics. 

It does best in slightly drier, humid climates. It is 

damaged by frost. It can grow on a variety of soils. 

Cultivation: Plants are mostly grown from seed. They 

can be grown from cuttings. Bottom heating the seeds 

at 20-26°C can result in germination at 1-2 weeks, at 

lower temperatures seeds can take up to 10 weeks to 

germinate. 

Production: 

Use: Fruit are eaten raw. They are also used in drinks. 

Caution: The leaves are poisonous. 


Edible 

part 

Fruit 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: Not commonly seen in Papua New Guinea. Fruit are sold in markets in many 

countries. 

Zinc 

mg

454 

Names 

English: Sweet granadilla, Yellow passionfruit Scientific name: Passiflora ligularis Juss. 



Description: A vigorous climbing vine. It grows 26 m 

long. The fruit is larger, yellow skinned and sweeter 

with larger seeds than the more common purple 

passionfruit. Leaves are entire, heart shaped and up to 

20 cm long. Flowers are pale green. They are large. 

Distribution: They grow between 1300 and 2400 m 

altitude in the tropics. It needs rich soil with good 

drainage. 

Cultivation: They can be grown from cuttings. Plants need a fence or trellis to grow on. They 

can also be grown from fresh seed. 

Production: Fruit production is seasonal. Vines bear in 1-2 years. 

Use: The fruit are eaten. They can be eaten fresh or used in drinks. 




Fruit 78.5 393 2.8 0.9 20 20 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea, it is not very often seen in the highlands but it is being more 

widely planted. 

Zinc 

mg

455 

Names 

English: Passionflower Scientific name: Passiflora foetida L. 



Description: A vine with tendrils. It creeps over the 

ground. The vine can be 2-10 m long. It has a strong 

smell. The stems are yellowish and have soft erect 

hairs. The leaves are 3 lobed and with fine hairs. They 

are pale green. The leaves are 3-10 cm long and 3-8 

cm wide. The base of the leaf is often heart shaped. 

The flowers occur singly on flower stalks. The flowers 

are flattish with several rings of structures. They are 5 

cm wide. They are white with a purple centre. The 

fruit is small (2-3 cm across) yellow and with a soft 

skin. The fruit is enclosed in a green net which dries 

brown then falls off. The fruit is edible. Seeds are flat. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. It is common in the 

lowlands and occurs up to 1000 m altitude in the 

tropics. It is drought resistant and can grow on poor 

soils. In prefers sunny situations. It does best in humid 

places. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. It grows wild 

in the lowlands. Seeds germinate rapidly. 

Production: Fruit occur throughout most of the year. 

Use: The ripe fruit are eaten. The seeds are also eaten. 

The young stalks and leaves are boiled and eaten in soup in times of food shortage. 

Caution: The unripe fruit and leaves are claimed to be poisonous. They contain cyanide so can 

be poisonous raw. 




Fruit 64.2 421 4.9 8.4 5 1.1 

Leaves 86.0 176 6.9 220 

Insects: 

Brachyplatis translineatus Walk. Pentatomidae (HEM) 

Diseases: 

Sooty mould Fungus Schiffnerula mirabilis Hohnel 

Chlorotic spot Virus 

Leaf spot 

Pests: 

Importance: A common plant in lowland areas. The fruit is widely eaten especially by children.

456 

Names 

English: Granadilla Scientific name: Passiflora quandrangularis L. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Passiflora macrocarpa Mast. 


Description: A long creeping vine with square stems. 

It has fleshy tuberous roots. The vine can be from 5-15 

m long. The vine has four wings. The tendrils are pale 

green and coiled in a spiral. The tendrils are not 

branched and can be 30 cm long. The leaf stalk is 3 

sided and 5-8 cm long. The leafy structures (stipules) 

at the base of the leaf are sword shaped and 2-5 cmlong 

by 1-2.5 cm wide. The leaves are also large (10-25 cm 

long and 8-17 cm wide) and green or purple. The 

flowers occur singly in the axils of the leaves and can 

be 10-12 cm across. Flowers are white and purple and 

have red dots on them. The fruit is greenish yellow 12- 

30 cm long by 10-18 cm wide and with black seeds 

amongst purple flesh. The aril or layer around the seed 

is white and edible. The seeds are 1 cm long. 

Distribution: It mainly occurs in the tropical lowlands but grows up to about 1000 m. It suits 

hot humid lowland areas in the tropics. Fruiting is often best between 200-500 m altitude. They 

can stand cool temperatures when mature. At 21-26°C seed germinate in 1-2 weeks but at lower 

temperatures seed can take 10 weeks. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. 

Cultivation: Plants are normally grown from cuttings but they can be grown from seed. 

Cuttings 25- 30 cm long from well matured stems should be used. A spacing of 2-3 m between 

plants is suitable. It needs a trellis to grow over. It often pays to hand pollinate. Seed germinate 

in 2-4 weeks. Seedlings can be planted in the field within 4 months. 

Production: A vine lasts for 5-6 years. Flowers are produced 9 months from planting. Fruit are 

ready to harvest 60-80 days from flowering. A vine can produce 16-50 fruit in a season. 

Use: Sometimes unripe fruit is boiled as a vegetable. 

Otherwise the fruit is eaten ripe. It can be used for juice. 

Sometimes the swollen root is cooked and eaten like a yam. 

Caution: The leaves are poisonous. 




Fruit 94.4 170 0.7 0.8 15 

Seed 

Root 

78.4 339 1.9 2.9 15 

Insects: 

Pternistra sp. Coreidae (HEM) 

Diseases: 

Chlorotic spot Virus 

Pests: 

Importance: Reasonably common in lowland areas. 

Zinc 

mg

457 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Parartocarpus venenosus (Zoll. & Mor.) Becc. 


Tok ples: Purut, Pakal Plant family: Moraceae 

Description: A medium sized tree up to 35-45 m tall 

with milky sap. The trunk is 45 cm across. The bark is 

yellow or grey-brown. It is papery and scaly. The 

twigs are 3-8 mm thick. The leaves are alternate and 

oblong and pointed at the tip. They are leathery. They 

can be rounded or pointed at the base. They are 8 to 15 

cm long and 5 to 7 cm wide. They are smooth on the 

upper surface and can have hairs on the veins 

underneath. The flowers are borne in the axils of the 

leaves. Flowers are separately male and female but 

both on the one tree. Male heads are round and 15-30 

mm across. They are covered by close, hard spines. 

The flower stalk is 12-35 mm long. The fruit is a 

cluster of "seeds" forming a rough checkered head 

about 18 cm across. The "seeds" are about 3 cm long. 

The fruit is brown on the outside and yellow inside and 

irregular in shape. 

Distribution: They occur in the Philippines. The 

subspecies that occurs in PNG occurs from 5 to 1000 m 

altitude. It occurs in humid forest. 

Cultivation: It grows wild. It can be grown from seed. 

Seeds are distributed naturally by flying foxes 

Production: The fruit turns very brown on the outside 

and has a sweet smell when ripe. Fruit production is 

seasonal. 

Use: The seeds are eaten either raw or cooked. 

The ripe fruit is edible. They are very dry so a drink is needed with them. 

Caution: The sap of the tree is often used as an arrow poison. 

The unripe seeds are poisonous. 


Edible 

part 

Fruit 

Seed 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: A minor edible fruit moderately common particularly on islands and peninsulas 

along the north coast of Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

458 

Names 

English: Toothed-leaved winter cherry Scientific name: Physalis angulata L. 



Description: A perennial herb up to about 1 m high. 

The leaves are smooth. The stems are angular. The 

leaves are oval and have teeth along the edge. They are 

5-10 cm long by 3-6 cm wide. The flowers occur 

singly. The flowers are small and cream coloured. 

They do not have a dark spot. It has a yellow berry 

with many seeds inside. The berry is enclosed in a 

veiny inflated case about 3 cm across. The berries are 

sticky. 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant. It mostly occurs 

above 1000 m and up to 2800 m altitude. 

Cultivation: It is easily grown by sprinkling a few seeds into moist ground. It grows easily 

under most conditions. If the plants are in a very sheltered place, fertilization is improved by 

spraying the plants with water. 

Production: 

Use: The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. 

The young leaves are used in soup. 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Fruit 

Leaves 83.9 113 4.0 58 

Insects: 

Heliothis assulta (Guenee) Noctuidae (LEP) Cape gooseberry budworm 


Leaf miner 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora physalis Ellis 

Pests: 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea a common plant and the fruit is being used more commonly. 

Zinc 

mg

459 

Names 

English: Native gooseberry Scientific name: Physalis minima L. 



Description: An erect or spreading branched herb. It is 

an annual plant. The roots are fibrous. The leaves are 

alternate and entire and covered with soft downy hairs. 

They have irregular teeth along the edge. They are 2-3 

cm long and 1-1.5 cm wide. They are pale green. The 

stems are round or nearly so. The flowers are yellow 

with the inner ring of petals bell shaped. These are 

sometimes purple at the base inside. The fruit is a 

round berry about 6 mm across. It is completely 

surrounded by an inflated calyx. This is 5 angled. 

Distribution: It grows in the tropics. They are 

common in waste places at low altitudes up to 1600 m 

in the Philippines. It grows in southern China on slopes 

between 1000-1800 m. altitude. 

Cultivation: 

Production: 

Use: The fruit are eaten. They are also preserved. 

The leaves are eaten, cooked. 




Fruit 

Leaves 

84.2 264 3.2 4.2 1 0.5 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: They are mostly eaten by children.

460 

Names 

English: Canistel, Yellow sapote Scientific name: Pouteria campechiana (HBK) Baehni 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Lucuma nervosa A. DC. 


Description: A tree up to 8 m high. It can be 30 m 

high. It is evergreen and has an open crown. The 

branches are mostly horizontal. The leaves are oval but 

taper towards both ends. They can be 6-25 cm long by 

2.5-8 cm wide. They are shiny and bright green. The 

leaves are clustered near the ends of the twigs. The leaf 

stalks can be 5-25 cm long. The small flowers grow in 

clusters of 2 to 5 on young wood. The flowers have a 

scent. The fruit is round, slightly pointed at the end, 

orange yellow and up to 10 cm long. The skin is thin, 

tough and waxy. The flesh is orange and has a musky 

smell. The seeds are about 2-3 cm long, dark brown 

and shiny. There are often 1-3 seeds per fruit. 

Distribution: It is native to C and S America. It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It suits the 

coast in the tropics and is damaged by frost. It can grow up to 1400 m in the tropics. It will 

grow on fairly poor soils. It does better on fertile well drained soils. It can tolerate reasonably 

dry periods. It suits hardiness zones 10-11. 

Cultivation: Trees are normally grown from seed. Seed need to be planted fresh. Seeds 

germinate in 2-3 weeks. Seedlings can be planted out after one year. A spacing of 4 m is 

suitable. It benefits from mulching due to the shallow root system. Plants can also be grafted 

and grown by air-layering. 

Production: Seedlings and grafted trees grow quickly. It begins bearing at about 3-5 years old. 

Grafted trees produce a year or so earlier. Fruit are harvested when they develop their full 

yellow colour. Fruit should be clipped when mature and ripened at room temperature for 3 to 10 

days. Putting a little salt on the end of the fruit stalk hastens ripening. Fruit ripen 5-6 months 

after flowering. 

Use: The fruit is eaten fresh or made into icecream. The skin and seeds are removed. It is not 

good cooked but is used instead of pumpkin in pie. 

It is often eaten with lemon juice. It can also be eaten with pepper and salt. 




Fruit 60.6 580 1.68 0.92 320 58 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: It is only being tried out in Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

461 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Pouteria maclayana (Muell.) Baehni 


Tok ples: Warap Plant family: Sapotaceae 

Description: A small to medium sized tree. It 

commonly has buttresses. It can grow up to 27 m tall 

and with a 2 m girth. The branches are green with 

brown areas. The leaves are at the ends of the small 

branches. They are long and rounded. They are 23 cm 

long by 9 cm wide. They have a wavy and scalloped 

edge. The base of the leaf tapers to the leaf stalk. The 

leaves are dark green and shiny on top and dull 

underneath. The veins are whitish and prominent on 

both sides of the leaf. There are 7-8 pairs of side veins. 

The leaf stalk is about 2.5 cm long. The flowers occur 

in clusters of 6 in the axils of leaves. The flowers are 

small and creamy white. The fruit are like flattened 

spheres about 7.5-10 cm across. They are light olivegreen. 

The flesh is orange and fibrous with 2-3 large 

seeds. The pulp has a sickly sweet smell. The seed are 

6 cm long by 2.5 cm wide. The seed is partly covered 

by a hard shell. 

Distribution: It mainly grows on the coast. It grows up to 500 m altitude. 

Cultivation: 

Production: 

Use: The fruit have an edible yellow flesh. It is probably cooked. 



part 

Fruit 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

Importance: It is not known how common it is in Papua New Guinea. 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

462 

Names 

English: Peach Scientific name: Prunus persica (L.)Batsch 



Description: A small tree. It loses its leaves during the 

year. It grows 3-8 m tall. It has an open growth habit. 

The leaves have stalks. These are 5-10 mm long. The 

leaves are oblong to sword shaped. They have fine 

teeth along the edge. The leaf blades are 7-15 cm long 

and 2-3 cm wide. They are acute at the base and taper 

to the tip. The flowers occur singly. They appear 

before the leaves. The flowers are small and pink or 

white. The fruit varies in shape and size. It is round 

with a groove down the side. It is 5-8 cm across. It is 

yellow when ripe. It has one hard stone inside with 

holes in it. 

Distribution: It is native to China. They need a specific cold requirement below 7°C to start 

flowers and leaves forming but a warm period for fruit ripening. It likes a warm sheltered 

position. It will tolerate mild frosts. Mild hot summers and cool cold winters are best. 

Temperate. In Nepal it grows between 1100-2000 m altitude. Some varieties can be grown in 

some highland regions in the tropics if the leaves are picked off. It suits hardiness zones 5-10. 

Cultivation: It is easily grown from seed. It can be budded. Trees can be grown from seed but 

do not breed true. It is better to graft. Branches which have borne fruit should be removed to 

allow new fruit bearing wood to grow. 

Production: Budded trees commence fruiting in 2 or 3 years. Useful bearing takes 8-10 years. 

Trees often need zinc and borax sprays. Trees tend to be fairly short lived (20 years). 

Use: Ripe fruit are eaten fresh, preserved or made into wine. 

The seed oil is used for cooking. 




Fruit 

Seed oil 

86.2 156 0.6 0.4 500 8 0.1 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: Only occasional trees occur in Papua New Guinea.

463 

Names 

English: Plum Scientific name: Prunus sp. 



Description: Slender trees which lose their leaves. The 

leaves are toothed around the edge and hairy 

underneath. Leaves in the bud are rolled. Flowers are 

white. The fruit is a one seeded round fleshy fruit. 

Distribution: Suitable only for high altitude areas in 

the tropics. (Japanese plums need less cold weather 

than European plums to start off flower formation). 

The soil needs to be well drained. Trees need plenty of 

sunlight. Trees can stand frost except at flowering. 

Cultivation: Plums are often grown from seed. They can be budded or grafted. Many kinds of 

plums have to be pollinated from other trees. 

Production: 

Use: The fruit are eaten raw or cooked. 



part 

Fruit 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: A few trees are established and fruit in the highland areas of Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

464 

Names 

English: Durian Scientific name: Durio zibethinus Murray 


Tok ples: Plant family: Bombacaceae/ Malvaceae 

Description: A large evergreen tree up to 30-50 m high 

and with buttresses. The bark is dark red-brown and 

rough and peels off irregularly. The leaves are alternate 

and oval. They are about 10 to 15 cm long and 3 to 5 

cm wide. The upper surface is smooth and shiny and 

the midrib is sunken. The lower surface is covered 

with silver scales. The flowers are on the older 

branches and form bunches of flowers where the lower 

flower stalks are longer. They have 3 to 30 flowers on 

a main stalk up to 5 cm long. The fruit are green to 

yellow, fat and up to 25 cm long by 20 cm wide. They 

have sharp spines over the surface. The seeds are 

completely covered with a yellowish soft very sweet 

seed covering. The fruit drop unopened. As the fruit 

ripens it splits open naturally into 3-5 sections which 

have large seeds embedded in a yellow coloured pulp. 

The seeds are oval and 4-5 cm long by 2.5-3.5 cm wide. 

Distribution: A tree of the humid tropics preferably below 300 m altitude but they may grow up 

to about 800 m above sea level in the equatorial tropics. Trees are mainly within 15° latitude of 

the equator. They need plenty of soil moisture and a rich soil. For a tropical tree it can tolerate 

cooler temperatures eg 23°C and can tolerate temperatures up to 46°C. A rainfall of over 2000 

mm evenly distributed throughout the year is best. A drier period during flowering is beneficial. 

Poorly drained or sandy soil are not suitable. In the Philippines they occur from Davao to 

Butuan and central Mindanao. It suits hardiness zone 12. 

Cultivation: Trees grow readily from seed. Seeds need to be fresh. Seeds germinate in about 3 

days and can be transplanted in about 4 weeks. Seeds do not breed true. Trees fruit about 7 

years after planting. Trees can be grown by budding or grafting. A spacing of at least 14 m 

between plants is needed. Grafted trees seldom reach 20 m height. Heavy mulching near the 

trunk can help patch canker (Phytophthora palmivora) to develop. Trees should be pruned and 

shaped for uniform branching and by topping to reduce excessive growth and give optimum 

production. 

Production: Flowers are cross pollinated by bats. Normally flowers cannot self pollinate. 

Flowers open in the afternoon and fall by next morning. Up to 50 fruit can be produced per tree 

per year. Between 0 and 400 fruit can grow on one tree and this varies with season. Fruit can be 

up to 3 kg weight. Fruiting is seasonal. Fruit take between 90 to 130 days from flowering to 

maturity depending on variety. 

Use: The flesh around the seeds is eaten. Fruit need to be eaten within 2 days of falling from the 

tree. Fruit should only be opened at time of eating as the flesh goes sour. The unripe fruit can 

be cooked as a vegetable. Fruit are also processed for ice-creams and desserts. 

The seeds are edible, usually cooked. 

The young leaves and shoots can be eaten. 

The raw fruit is used as a vegetable or in soups.

465 




Fruit 

Leaves 

Seeds 

61.1 602 2.5 5 0.7 5 24 0.3 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Can be damaged by Pink disease Fungus Corticium salmonicolor 

Pests: 

Importance: Very common in Indonesia and Malaysia. Introduced into several coastal areas of 

Papua New Guinea and plantings are increasing. At present fruit are mainly used by Asians.

466 

Names 

English: Mangosteen Scientific name: Garcinia mangostana L. 


Tok ples: Plant family: Clusiaceae 

Description: A medium sized tree 10-20 m high with 

bright glossy leaves. Trees keep their leaves all year. 

Leaves are 15-25 cm long and leathery. Male and 

female flowers are on separate trees. Commercial trees 

only have female flowers. Male trees occur but are 

rare. Flowers are produced on shoots near the end of 

branches. Female flowers have 4 cream petals and 4 

sepals and a round ovary with a thick stigma composed 

of 4 to 8 lobes. No pollination is required because fruit 

develop without fertilisation. The fruit is dark blue 

with 4-8 white juicy segments inside the thick skin. 

Each segment is enclosed in fine pinkish veins. It is 8 

cm across and has flower sepals attached to the stalk 

end. It leaks yellow sap from wounds. Fruit is 

produced on side branches near to the tips of the main 

branches. Fruit often have no seeds or up to 2. These 

are not true seeds but they will grow. 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant. It needs a hot humid climate (25°C to 35°C). Temperatures 

below 5°C will kill the plant and temperatures below 20°C slow growth. It grows from sea level 

up to 1000 m altitude in the equatorial tropics although they grow very slowly at this altitude. It 

can stand light shade. It often does not do well with sea breezes, and needs protection from 

wind. It cannot tolerate drought. It needs fertile soil. Good fertility enables earlier bearing. It 

suits high rainfall areas over 2500 mm per year. It cannot tolerate alkaline soils. It suits 


Cultivation: Trees breed true from seed because they are produced asexually. This means trees 

are very uniform. As well some seeds can produce more than one seedling. They germinate 

between 10 and 54 days. Seeds need to be fresh (less than 5 days after extraction) and 

undamaged, and cleaned of pulp. They quickly lose their viability. Transplanting is done with 

care after 2 years. Long tap roots make this difficult. Young trees require shade during hot 

weather. The slow early growth is because the original roots of the seedling are replaced by new 

roots from the base of the stem. A spacing of 7 - 10 m suits. Grafting onto vigorous root stocks 

is difficult. It has been performed on Garcinia tinctoria. Budding, cuttings and layering have 

been unsuccessful. 

Production: Trees are slow growing and begin to bear after 8-20 years. Fruit are produced on 

shoots which are more than two years old so pruning is unecessary. Fruiting is seasonal once or 

twice a year. Often more fruit are produced every second year. The main fruiting season is Nov 

to March. Fruit need to be harvested when mature and ripe. Fruit can only be transported with 

difficulty. They can be stored under refrigeration. (10°C for up to eight weeks). Between 500 to 

1500 fruit are produced per tree. Fruit are best opened by cutting the skin around the middle to 

prevent tannins from the skin spoiling the flavour. Fruit can be stored for 3 weeks if 

undamaged. 

Use: Fruit is best eaten fresh. It is the arillus or layer around the seeds which is eaten. 

The seeds are edible raw.

467 




Fruit 

Seeds 

81.3 299 0.6 0.4 2.7 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: A few trees have been planted in lowland areas of Papua New Guinea. It is a very 

popular fruit. 

Zinc 

mg

468 

Names 

English: Warren’s mangosteen Scientific name: Garcinia warrenii F. Muell. 



Description: A tall shrub or small bushy tree. It grows 

to 6-13 m high and spreads 1-3 m wide. When the tree 

is damaged it produces a yellow exudate. The small 

branches are angular. The leaves are 10-16 cm long by 

4-5 cm wide and leathery. They are dark green and 

have short thick leaf stalks. Flushes of new growth are 

often red. The flower cluster is produced in the axils of 

leaves. It is branched and stiff. The flowers are about 

1 cm across and white. They have a strong scent. 

There are 4 thick petals. The fruit is a berry 3-3.5 cm 

across. It is oval, purple and fleshy. Two seed occur in 

a fruit. The seed are 3 cm by 2 cm. The flesh of the 

fruit is edible. 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant. It occurs in 

rainforest. Often it is near streams or on flood plains. 

They need good drainage. They can grow in full 

sunlight or partial shade. It will grow in subtropical 

regions but young plants are sensitive to frost. 

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed. The seed needs to be sown fresh. 

Production: Plants are slow growing. In Australia, fruit are mature in November to January. 



Edible 

part 

Fruit 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: It apparently occurs in Papua New Guinea, presumably on the South Coast. 

Zinc 

mg

469 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Garcinia riparia A.C.Smith 



Description: A tall shrub or small tree. It grows 4-8 m 

high and spreads 1-3 m wide. When trees are damaged 

they produce a clear exudate. The leaves are 7-9 cm 

long and 2-3 cm wide. They are narrowly oval and 

dark green. They are thick textured and the veins are 

prominent underneath the leaf. The tips of the leaves 

are drawn out to a fine point. The flower cluster is 

produced in the axils of leaves and these occur as dense 

clusters. The flowers are about 0.6 cm across and 

white. The fruit are 2.5 cm across and yellowish. 

There are 1-5 seeds inside. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. It occurs in rainforests. 

It grows near rivers. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed which should be sown fresh. 

Production: In Australia, the fruit are mature in December to January. Flowering occurs in July. 




part 

Fruit 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: It apparently occurs in Papua New Guinea and its distribution is unknown. 

Zinc 

mg

470 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Garcinia eugeniaefolia T.Anders 



Description: A tree. The small branches are slender 

and stiff. The leaves are crowded at the ends of 

branches. The leaves are opposite and sword shaped 

tapering gradually to the tip. The leaves are 9 cm long 

by 2.5 cm wide. The leaf stalk is 0.4 cm long. The 

flower clusters are in the axils of leaves. The flowers 

occur singly on the cluster. The fruit is oval and 

curved. It is 1.5 cm long. The fruit do not have a stalk. 

Distribution: 

Cultivation: 

Production: 

Use: 



part 

Fruit 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: A minor fruit and its importance in Papua New Guinea is unknown. 

Zinc 

mg

471 

Names 

English: Egg tree Scientific name: Garcinia dulcis (Roxb.) Kurz 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Xanthochymus dulcis Roxb. 


Description: A bushy tree up to 10-20 m high. It 

spreads 2-4 m wide. It has a short trunk. It has 4 

angled yellow drooping branches. It has large leathery 

leaves 10-30 cm long and 4-14 cm wide. The leaves 

are opposite, smooth and somewhat oval in shape. 

Young leaves are pale green and older leaves are dark 

green. The leaves are shiny above and often hairy 

underneath. The leaf stalk is 2 cm long. Male and 

female flowers are separate. The flowers are white or 

greenish yellow and borne in small rounded clusters. 

Male flowers are very small. The flowers have a sour 

smell. The fruit is smooth, yellow and the size of a 

small orange but with a point at the end. It is 5-8 cm 

wide. It has a thin skin and 1 to 5 seeds inside. These 

are brown and 2.5 cm long. The pulp is yellow. 

Distribution: They are common and widely distributed 

in the Philippines from northern Luzon to the southern 

part growing in primary forest at low and medium 

altitudes. It grows in coastal areas up to 500 m altitude. 

It is not particular as regards soil. 

Cultivation: Trees are grown from seed. Seed need to be sown while fresh. Trees can be 

budded or grafted. Shield budding on fairly mature wood using large buds is best. 

Production: Fruit production is seasonal about Dec to May in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Use: The fleshy portion of the fruit is eaten raw. They are a bit acid. They can be cooked. They 

can be used to make jam. 




Fruit 86.7 205 0.4 0.4 25 5 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: At present not commonly planted in Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

472 

Names 

English: Loquat Scientific name: Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindley 



Description: A small evergreen tree up to 6-10 m high. It 

has a round crown. Leaves are large and strongly ribbed. 

They are 12-30 cm long and 8-10 cm wide. They are dark 

green and glossy on the upper surface and woolly white 

underneath. They are leathery with slight teeth. The new 

growth is tinged with red. Flowers have a strong scent. 

Flowers are small and white and in clusters at the ends of 

branches. Fruit are in loose clusters of about 10. They are 

pear shaped. They are 3-5 cm long and yellow when ripe. 

There are 3-5 large brown seeds in each fruit. 

Distribution: It is native to China and Japan. They suit 

subtropical and warm temperate areas. Trees grow best 

between 750 and 1750 m altitude in the tropics, and are best 

about 1000 m. It is not suited to the coastal tropics and can't 

stand heavy frosts on the flowers or fruit. It does better in 

drier areas and needs good drainage. Well established trees 

can tolerate a low temperature of -11°C. 

The killing temperature for the flower bud is about -7°C, and for the mature flower about -2°C. 

At -4°C the seed is killed, causing the fruit to fall. Trees need good drainage and do best in full 

sunlight. Trees can stand drought but yield best with water at flowering and fruit development. 

In Nepal they grow between 1300-2000 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 8-11. 

Cultivation: It can be grown from cuttings or layering. It can also be grown from seeds or by 

grafting. Seeds grow easily. Trees should be planted in groups to cross pollinate. A spacing of 

6 m is suitable. Trees grow quickly. Trees need light pruning of the tips of branches to maintain 

tree shape and avoid excessively thin fruit bearing branches. 

Production: Seedling trees begin to bear in 6-8 years compared with 2-3 years for grafted trees. 

Biennial bearing occurs. Thinning in heavy bearing years can give larger fruit. The fruiting is 

seasonal. The season is August to October in the Southern Hemisphere. Fruit should be 

allowed to ripen fully before harvesting. Fruit reach maturity after about 90 days from full 

flowering. Ripe fruit can be stored in a refrigerator for 1 to 2 weeks. 

Use: The ripe fruit is eaten fresh. If the fruit are cooked, the seeds should be removed as they 

give a bitter taste. The fruit are used for alcohol production. Fruit are also used for jam, jellies 

and sauces. 

Caution: The leaves are poisonous. The seeds are also poisonous. 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Fruit 86.7 197 0.4 0.3 153 1 0.1 

Insects: 

Bactrocera sp. Tephritidae (DIPT) Fruit are prone to fruit fly damage 

Diseases: 

Pink disease Fungus Corticium salmonicolor Berk. & Br. 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea, at present only occasional trees are seen. 

Zinc 

mg

473 

Names 

English: Mango Scientific name: Mangifera indica L. 



Description: An erect, branched evergreen tree. It can 

grow to 10-40 m high and is long lived. (Trees grown 

vegetatively are smaller and more compact.) Trees 

spread to 15 m across. It has strong deep roots. The 

trunk is thick. The bark is greyish-brown. The leaves 

are simple and shaped like a spear. Some kinds of 

mangoes have leaves with a wavy edge. They can be 

10-30 cm long and 2-10 cm wide. They are arranged in 

spirals. The leaf stalk is 1-10 cm long and flattened. 

Leaves are often brightly coloured and brownish-red 

when young. These tender leaves which are produced 

in flushes become stiff and dark-green when mature. 

The flower stalks are at the ends of branches. They are 

10-50 cm long and branching. Up to 6,000 flowers can 

occur on a stalk. Most of these are male and between 1 

and 35 % have both male and female flower parts. 

Fruit are green, yellow or red and 2.5 to 30 cm long. The fruit hang down on long stalks. The 

outside layer of the seed is hard and fibrous and there is one seed inside. Several embryos can 

develop from one seed by asexual reproduction. The fruit shape and colour vary as well as the 

amount of fibre and the flavour. 

Distribution: Mango grows in the tropics and subtropics. It grows from sea level up to 1300 m 

altitude in the tropics. It does best in areas below 700 m and with a dry season. Rain and high 

humidity at flowering reduces fruit set. It thrives best where temperatures are about 25°C but 

will grow with temperatures between 10 and 42°C. Temperatures of 0°C will damage young 

trees and flowers. Low temperatures (10-20°C) at flowering time will reduce fruiting. As 

temperatures get lower due to latitude or altitude, fruit maturity is later and trees become more 

likely to only have good crops every second year. Mangoes can grow on a range of soils. In 

wetter areas soils with less clay are better. They can withstand occasional flooding. A soil pH 

of 5.5 to 6.5 is best. Soils with pH above 7.5 cause plants to develop iron deficiency. It suits 


Cultivation: Trees are grown by planting fresh seed and they can be transplanted. Mangoes 

vary in their ability to breed true from seed. When more than one seedling emerges from the 

seed some of these are asexual and breed true. Clean seed germinate best if they are treated at 

50°C for 20 minutes, then planted on their edge with the round bulge upwards and near the soil 

surface. The husk around the seed should be removed. Seeds germinate in 3-6 weeks. The 

strongest growing seedlings from this seed are used and the others thrown away. The seedlings 

from the folds of the seed are vegetative while the seedling from the centre of the seedling near 

the stalk end may be sexual and show variation from type. Other seeds only produce one 

seedling and these normally vary and can be different from the parent tree. Plants can be 

propagated by budding, or by grafting using inarching. This is not easy. Cuttings grow with 

care. In wetter places flowers need to be protected with fungicides to enable fruit to form. If 

organic manure is used this should not be directly in the planting hole nor immediately against 

the new plant. Young transplanted seedlings need regular watering. A spacing of 6-12 m 

between plants is used. Wind protection is advisable to prevent fruit rubbing and getting 

damaged. Trees should only ever be lightly pruned as fruit develop on new growth and heavy 

pruning can reduce flowering. Flowering can be brought about by foliar sprays of potassium 

nitrate

474 

Production: Seeds germinate after about 20 days. Seedling trees produce after 4-6 years and 

increase in production up to 20 years. Trees often bear better each second year. Rain at 

flowering reduces fruit setting. Fruiting is at the end of the year. Fruit take 4-5 months to 

mature. Fruit vary in weight from 200 to 1,000 g. Trees can produce one million flowers but 

only 500 fruit. Trees last for many years. 

Use: Ripe fruit are eaten raw. 

Seeds can be eaten cooked. They are boiled or roasted and soaked to remove the bitterness. 

They are made into meal by powdering. 

Young leaves can be eaten cooked. 

Unripe fruit is pickled. Amchur is made from the dried unripe fruit. This is used in curries, and 

pickles and chutneys. 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Fruit 83.0 253 0.5 0.5 1200 30 0.04 

Seeds 

Leaves 122 0.5 60 

Insects: 

Aleurodicus dispersus Russel Aleyrodidae (HEM) Spiralling whitefly 

Amblypelta spp. Coreidae (HEM) Tip wilt bugs 


Bactrocera bryoniae (Tryon.) Tephritidae (DIPT) Fruit fly 

Bactrocera frauenfeldi Schiner Tephritidae (DIPT) Fruit fly 

Bombotelia jocosatrix (Guen.) Noctuidae (LEP) Large mango tip borer 

Ceroplastes rubens Mask. Coccidae (HEM) Pink wax scale 

Chlumetia transversa Walker Noctuidae (LEP) Mango shoot caterpillar 

Idioscopus niveosparsus (Leth.) Cicadellidae (HEM) Leafhopper on flowers 

Coccus viridis (Green) Coccidae (HEM) Green scale 


Helopeltis clavifer (Walker) Miridae (HEM) Cacao mirid 

Idioscopus clypealis (Leth.) Cicadellidae (HEM) Mango hopper 

Idioscopus niveosparsus (Leth.) Cicadellidae (HEM) Mango hopper 

Ischnaspis longirostris (Sign.) Diaspididae (HEM) Armoured scale 

Noorda albizonalis Hamps Pyralidae (LEP) Red banded mango borer 

Protaetia fusca Herbst. Scarabaeidae (COL) Mango flower beetle 

Rhyparida clypeata Jacoby Chrysomelidae (COL) 

Saisettia coffeae Walker Coccidae (HEM) Brown coffee scale 

Scopelodes dinawa B.Bak Limacocidae (LEP) Cup moth 

Scopelodes nitens B.Bak Limacocidae (LEP) Cup moth 

Selenothrips rubrocinctus (Giard) Thripidae (THYS) Cacao thrips 

Diseases: 

Sooty mould Fungi Asterina sp. 

And Meliola mangiferae Earle 

Leaf spot, wither tip, fruit rot Fungus Glomerella cingulata (Stonem) Spauld & Schrenk 

Fungus Stigmina mangiferae 

Pink disease Fungus Phanerochaete salmonic 

Pests: 

Importance: Very popular and important in seasonally dry lowlands. 

Zinc 

mg

475 

Names 

English: Wild mango Scientific name: Mangifera minor Bl. 



Description: A large tree often 10-15 m tall but can be 

up to 30 m tall. The trunk can be 30-120 cm across. It 

can have buttresses. It has a thick round crown of 

leaves. Leaves are more narrow than the cultivated 

mango. They are 10-22 cm long by 3-6 cm wide. The 

leaves are dark green and shiny on top but paler and 

smooth underneath. They are papery. The leaf stalk is 

1-3 cm long. The flowers occur on the ends of 

branches in a much branched flower arrangement. 

These stalks are 30 cm long. The individual flowers 

are small. The flowers have a scent. Fruit are yellow 

green and flattened at the sides and with one large seed 

inside. They are smaller than mango. They can be 6-10 

cm long by 4-7 cm wide. The fruit have stringy flesh. 

It is edible. The stone is very fibrous. 

Distribution: It occurs mainly in the lowlands and foothills below 750 m altitude but grows up 

to 1900 m altitude. It occurs as scattered individuals. It prefers damp, even wet ground. It is 

common near the foreshore. They grow in the humid tropics. 

Cultivation: Trees grow from seed both as wild and cultivated plants. 

Production: 

Use: The fruit is peeled and eaten. 



part 

Fruit 

% KJ g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

Insects: 


Diseases: 

Pests: 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: It is sometimes cultivated around villages. A minor edible fruit in several areas of 

Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

476 

Names 

English: Horse mango Scientific name: Mangifera foetida Lour. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Mangifera horsfieldii Miq. 


Description: A tree. It grows 10-27 m high. It has 

rough brown bark. The trunk is straight and can be 1 m 

across. It does not have buttresses. The bark is brown 

and has broad flat cracks. The sap causes irritation and 

it turns black on exposure. The branches are large and 

the crown is dense. The leaves are dark green. They 

are oblong and 15-40 cm long by 9-15 cm wide. They 

are stiff and rough. They are dark green above and 

clear green underneath. The leaf stalks are 15.8 cm 

longand are stout with a fattened base. The flowering 

clusters are upright and form a pyramid shape. These 

can be 10-40 cm long. The flowers are pinkish red and 

do not have a scent. The flowers and dead leaves are 

found on the ground. Pink flowers are on red stems. 

The fruit is oval and 9-14 cm long by 5-10 cm wide. It 

is like a mango fruit. The fruit is dull green with a 

smooth skin. They have small dark spots. The flesh is 

fibrous and yellow. The juice has a strong smell of 

turpentine. The stone is plump and 6 cm long by 5 cm 

wide and 3 cm thick. 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant. They grow in the 

humid tropics. 


Production: Flowers can be produced throughout the year but often in two main flushes. 

Use: The fruit are eaten once they are fully ripe. They are also used in chutney and pickles. 

The fruit has a turpentine smell which makes it less popular. 

Caution: The unripe fruit can irritate the skin. The ripe fruit is peeled thickly to avoid this. 

The unripe fruit are washed in salted water and sliced and used as a vegetable and in pickles. 




Fruit 72.5 1.4 56 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: They are sold in markets in Malaysia and in Brunei. It is only a minor fruit in 


Zinc 

mg

477 

Names 

English: Wild mango Scientific name: Mangifera altissima Blanco 

Tok pisin: Wel mango Synonyms: 


Description: A large tree. It grows 12-35 m tall or 

taller. The trunk is 35-80 cm across or wider. The 

small branches are angular with prominent leaf scars. 

The leaves are long and narrow and pointed at both 

ends or wedge shaped at the base. They are 15-43 cm 

long by 2-11 cm wide. They are rough. They are dark 

green above. The flowers are small and white. They 

have a smell. They are produced in large numbers on 

branched compound flowers. The veins are net like. 

The leaf stalk is 1.5-5 cm long. The flowers stalks are 

crowded near the ends of the twings. They are 10-25 

cm long. The flowers are creamy-white. They occur in 

groups of 4-5 on side branches. The fruit are 5 to 8 cm 

long and 4 to 6 cm wide. They are shaped like a mango 

and are smooth, green and sticky. They turn yellow as 

they ripen. The flesh is white and fibrous. The stone is 

4.5 cm long by 2.5 cm wide annd 1 cm thick. 

Distribution: They grow in the humid tropics. It can grow up to 400 m altitude. It does best in 

places with a wet and dry season. They are common in the forests in the Philippines. 

Cultivation: Plants are usually grown from seed. They can be grown by cleft grafting. 

Production: A fruit can weigh about 40 g. Fruit can be harvested about 70 days from flowering. 

They ripen in 6 days. 

Use: The fruit are used to make pickles or mixed with vegetables. 

The immature fruit are also eaten fresh. 

Ripe fruit are used to prepare marmalade. 

The seeds are salted and pounded to prepare an edible meal. 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Fruit 82.0 277 0.7 131 IU 33 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea it is a minor edible fruit. In some countries it is grown in 

backyards and fruit are sold in markets. 

Zinc 

mg

478 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Horsfieldia sylvestris (Hout.)Warb 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Myristica sylvestris Hout. 

Myristica edulis F.v.Muller 

Tok ples: Pendarahan Plant family: Myristicaceae 

Description: A medium sized tree 15-20 m tall with 

fairly straight trunk and long narrow leaves. The leaves 

droop. The yellow pointed fruit hang singly on short 

stalks along the branches. The fruit is orange on the 

outside with yellow flesh around a red coated seed. 

Male and female flowers are separate. 

Distribution: Tropical. The tree occurs in the 

Moluccas and Papua New Guinea, but not in the New 

Guinea Islands or the Solomon Islands. They occur in 

primary forest on sandy or clayey soils. They are 

mainly in the coastal plain. They probably need some 

shade in the seedling stage. 

Cultivation: Trees are planted from seeds. 

Production: 

Use: The flesh around the seed is eaten raw. 

The leaves are used as a spice or flavouring. 


Edible 

part 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea, a fruit tree cultivated at least at Kawito near Balimo in the 

Western Province. 

Zinc 

mg

479 

Names 

English: Mangrove nutmeg Scientific name: Myristica hollrungii Warb. 



Description: A large tree up to 40 m tall with a straight 

trunk and buttress roots. Twigs have 2 raised lines 

along them between the leaves. The leaf stalk is 3 cm 

long and 0.3 mm wide. The leaf is 20-35 cm long x 5- 

13 cm wide. The base of the leaf is rounded and the tip 

tapers. The midrib and veins are sunken on the top of 

the leaf and raised underneath. The veins are almost 

parallel with fine networks between them. The male 

flower cluster is a woody scar covered knob. The male 

flowers have stalks 6 mm long. The female flowers are 

similar to the male flowers but with thicker shorter 

stalks. The fruit are oval and 3-6 cm long by 2-4 cm 

wide. Fruits are yellow with a red covered seed inside. 

The seed is 3 cm long by 1.5 cm wide. 

Distribution: Tropical. Trees are often just behind the 

mangrove swamps. They can grow up to 920 m 

altitude. They grow in the lowland rainforests, by 

rivers and streams. 


Production: Fruiting is seasonal. 



Edible 

part 

Fruit 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea, a common tree in lowland areas of the mainland and islands 

but only a minor edible fruit. 

Zinc 

mg

480 

Names 

English: European grape Scientific name: Vitis vinifera L. 


Tok ples: Plant family: Vitaceae 

Description: A woody vine which keeps growing from 

year to year. It is often pruned to reduce its size. It climbs 

by coiled tendrils which attach to objects. It has large 

leaves which are roughly heart shaped. They can be entire 

or be deeply divided into 3-5 lobes. Leaves can be 20 cm 

across. The edges of the leaf are sharply and irregularly 

toothed. The tip of the leaf is pointed and the base is 

rounded. Sometimes the leaves are hairy. The flowers are 

small and yellow-green. They occur in clusters which are 

5-20 cm long and beside the leaves. The 5 green petals 

drop off together to show 5 central stamens and the ovary. 

These bear clusters of fleshy fruit. 

The fruit is a berry which is generally oval and juicy. The skin can be yellow or violet-black. 

They are 1-4 cm long. The flesh is edible. They contain a few hard seeds. 

Distribution: It mainly grows in Mediterranean-type climates with hot dry summers and cool 

rainy winters. It needs shelter from the wind. In Nepal it grows up to 1400 m altitude. It suits 


Cultivation: They are mostly grown from hardwood cuttings. It needs a trellis for support. It is 

normally pruned to control the growth. A spacing of 2.4 m by 3 m is suitable. Vines are pruned 

when they have lost their leaves. Pruning in the first year is designed to form the permanent 

shape of the plant. Nomally it is pruned to allow a single stem with two branches just below the 

trellis. 

Production: 

Use: The fruit are eaten ripe and also used for juice and wines, champagnes and brandies. 

Sometimes young slightly acid leaves are eaten. 

The dried fruit are eaten as raisins. 




Fruit raw 80.6 297 0.7 0.3 7 10.8 0.1 

Fruit dry 19.2 1184 4.1 3.3 7 4.7 0.7 

Leaves 73.3 389 5.6 2.6 2699 11.1 0.7 

Insects: 

Hippotion celerio (L.) Sphingidae (LEP) Grapevine hawkmoth 

Oribius spp. Curculionidae (COL) Shot hole weevil 

Diseases: 

Powdery mildew Fungus Plasmopara viticola (Berk & Curt ex de Bary ) Berl & de Toni 

Leaf spot 

Pests: 

Importance: Only very occasional plants occur in hot humid tropical places like Papua New 

Guinea and produce very poorly. They are suited to drier Mediterranean places.

481 

Names 

English: Wild olive, Yellow plum Scientific name: Ximenia americana var. america L. 


Tok ples: Plant family: Olacaceae 

Description: A small tree or spiny shrub about 3-4 m 

high. It has spines about 1 cm long which are thin and 

straight. The leaves and branches are without hairs. 

The leaves are alternate, oval and about 2-4 cm long. 

The leaves are bluish green. The leaves fold upwards 

along the midrib. The tip of the leaf can be round or 

with a notch. The flowers are greenish white, have a 

smell and are less than 1 cm long. They occur in small 

branched clusters with a common stalk. The fruit are 

yellow, egg shaped and 2 cm across. They are thin 

skinned. They are sour. There is one large seed. 

Distribution: They occur along the back of coasts and 

seashores in the Philippines. It occurs in the vegetation 

near the coastline. The plant occurs in all tropical 

countries. It is found in savannah in Africa. It is 

drought resistant. In China it grows in sandy areas 

behind beaches along the sea shore and mostly below 

100 m in S China. In Bolivia it grows up to 900 m 

altitude. 

Cultivation: Plants normally grow wild. The plant often has roots which feed off other plants. 

Plants can be grown from seed. These can be grown in pots then transplanted or can be sown 

where they are to grow. As seed do not store well, they should be sown fresh. 

Production: Plants are slow growing. They can be pruned as a hedge or cut back and allowed to 

regrow. 

Use: The fruit are eaten fresh or pickled. They are used for jam and jellies. They are also used 

to make beer. 

The nuts are powdered and mixed with sago to make bread. 

The kernels of the nuts are recorded as both edible and purgative. They should only be eaten in 

small numbers. 

Caution: The leaves have been reported as poisonous. They contain a cyanogenic glycoside. 

Young leaves are eaten after cooking. 




Fruit 

Nuts 

Leaves 

78.6 210 2.7 0.7 0.3 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: A minor wild edible fruit (and nut) in several coastal areas of Papua New Guinea.

482 

Names 

English: Salak, Snake fruit Scientific name: Salacca zalacca (Gaertn.)Voss 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Salacca edulis Reinw. 


Description: A clumping palm. The trunk is 

underground. It branches. The plant is covered with 

long, black, sharp spines. The fronds are erect and 4-6 

m long. The leaf stalk is about 2 m long and has large 

flattened spines. The fronds have leaflets along the 

stalk. These are in rings. The leaflets are 60 cm long 

by 5 cm wide. They taper to the tip. They are shiny 

green above and greyish underneath. Male and female 

flowers occur on different plants. One cultivar from 

Bali has male and female flowers on the one plant. The 

flowering stalks are branched and without spines. The 

male flower stalks are drooping and 50-100 cm long. 

The female flowers are in crowded spikes and are 20- 

30 cm long. The fruit are carried in small clusters 

between the bases of the leaves. The fruit are 4-8 cm 

long and pear shaped. They are covered with 

overlapping brown scales which give it an appearance 

like a snake skin. The pulp is firm and tart. There is 

one seed inside. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. It does best in lowland tropical areas. It usually grows in marshy 

ground. Plants can tolerate full sun from an early age. 

Cultivation: Male and female plants are normally needed to get fertile seed and fruit. 

Sometimes single plants can fruit. Plants respond to regular applications of fertiliser. Flower 

production is improved if old fronds and debris is removed. 

Production: 

Use: The ripe fruit are eaten fresh or used in preserves. 

The unripe fruit can be made into pickles. 



Edible 

part 

Fruit 

Cabbage 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: Some plants have been introduced from Indonesia into Sepik coastal villages. 

Zinc 

mg

483 

Names 

English: Nonda plum Scientific name: Parinari nonda F.v.Muell. ex Benth. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Parinari papuanum CT White 

Tok ples: Plant family: Chrysobalanaceae 

Description: A small tree up to 10-15 m tall. It is often 

only 3 m tall but can be 34 m tall. It has an open 

growth habit. The bark is greyish-brown and cracked 

along its length. The small branches are angular, 

drooping and hairy. The leaves are narrow, oval and 

leathery. They are 3.5-8 cm long by 2-4.5 cm wide. 

They are dark green and smooth on the upper surface 

and paler with dense white hairs underneath. Under the 

leaf the midrib is prominent and the veins are like a net. 

The tip of the leaf has a blunt point. The leaf stalk is 

short. Flowers are brownish yellow and very small. 

They occur at the ends of branches and in the axils of 

upper leaves. The fruit is smallish (2 cm x 3 cm) and 

brownish. It hangs on the ends of the branches. The 

fruit has a slightly rough skin due to a brown scaly like 

layer. The fruit is edible. Inside the fruit is a rough 

kernel. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. The tree grows in lowland areas from 6 to 1300 m altitude in 

Papua New Guinea. It occurs in moist rainforest and open woodland. It is often in dunes behind 

sandy beaches. It occurs in northern Australia. It suits seaside dry tropical regions. It can 

tolerate drought. It needs full sun. 

Cultivation: The tree grows wild. They can be grown from fresh seed. It can probably be 

grown from cuttings of semi ripe wood. 

Production: It is slow growing. Fruit occur in August and November (May). Fruit are bitter 

when fresh from the tree so are best ripened off the tree to make them more sweet. Burying 

them for a week has been used to improve ripening. They can be harvested after they fall. To 

make nut-milk the fruit was dried and the kernels crushed and the mash was washed, squeezed 

and strained to extract the white "nut-milk". 

Use: The fruit is eaten raw. 

The floury pulp of the fruit can be ground into flour and baked. 




Fruit 78.3 222 1.0 1.5 1 0.4 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: A minor edible wild fruit. The "nut-milk" has been especially used for babies.

484 

Names 

English: Santol Scientific name: Sandoricum koetjape (Burm.f.)Merr 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Melia koetjape Burm. f. 

Tok ples: Plant family: Meliaceae 

Description: A medium sized tree. It loses its leaves. 

It grows up to about 25-50 m high. It is 80 cm across 

the trunk. It can have buttresses 3 m tall. Branches 

normally develop after 7-10 m. The crown is dense and 

dark green. The leaves are alternate and have 3 leaflets. 

The leaves are 18-40 cm long. The leaflets are hairy. 

They are pointed at the tip and more rounded at the 

base. They are 10 to 25 cm long. The end leaflet is the 

largest. The flowering cluster is 2.5-24 cm long. The 

flowers are greenish yellow and about 1 cm long. They 

occur in considerable numbers in compound flower 

clusters. The fruit are rounded and 4 to 6 cm across. 

They cluster like grapes. The fruit have one stone. 

They are yellowish or red with a thick outer covering. 

The flesh of the fruit is white, juicy and allows light 

through. The seeds are large. The pulp of the fruit is 

edible. 

Distribution: It is native to SE Asia. It is a tropical plant. It can withstand light frosts. It needs 

light. They occurs throughout the Philippines and is very common both wild and cultivated. 

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed, air-layering or budding. 

Production: It is fast growing. 

Use: The fruit are eaten raw or made into preserves. The skin can be eaten. 

Fruit are made into alcoholic beverages. This is done by fermenting them with rice. 

The leaves are eaten. 

The fruit are eaten. The seeds are removed and the skin taken off. They are then boiled and later 

candied with sugar. 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Fruit 85.0 192 0.9 0.4 3 86 

Leaves 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: They are not common in Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

485 

Fruit (Continued) 


Rambutan Nephelium lappaceum 486 

Rhubarb Rheum rhaponticum 487 

Panama berry Muntingia calabura 488 

Pomegranate Punica granatum 489 

Mulberry Morus alba 490 

Persian mulberry Morus nigra 491 

Indian mulberry Morinda citrifolia 492 

Ceriman, Monstera Monstera deliciosa 493 

Garraway lime Microcitrus garrawayae 494 

Olive Olea europaea 495 

Fei banana Musa maclayi 496 

Musa ingens 497 

Sapodilla Manilkara zapota 498 

Litchi Litchi chinensis 500 

Maesa edulis 501 

Langsat Lansium domesticum 502 

Rosella Hibiscus sabdariffa 503 

Garuga Garuga floribunda 504 

Kumquat Fortunella margarita 505 

Fig Ficus carica 506 

Persimmon Diospyros kaki 507 

Velvet apple Diospyros blancoi 508 

Tulican Diospyros hebecarpa 509 

Longan Dimocarpus longan 510 

Elephant apple Dillenia indica 511 

Golden beach Dillenia alata 512 

Akee Blighia sapida 513 

Black currant tree Antidesma ghaesembilla 514 

Wild currant Antidesma erostre 515 

Chinese laurel Antidesma bunius 516 

Chinese gooseberry Actinidia chinensis 517 

Broad leafed lillypilly Acmena hemilampra var. hemilampra 518 

Aceratium oppositifolium 519 

Feijoa, Pineapple guava Acca sellowiana 520

486 

Names 

English: Rambutan Scientific name: Nephelium lappaceum L. 



Description: A medium sized tree up to 12-25 m high. 

It keeps its leaves throughout the year. Trees spread to 

6 m wide. The leaves are alternate with leaflets 

opposite along the stalk. There are 5-7 pairs of leaflets. 

Each leaflet can be 20 cm long by 8 cm wide. The 

leaflet stalks are short and the leaflets are pointed at the 

tip and rounded at the base. The flowers are very 

numerous on compound flower arrangements. Seedling 

trees can produce only female or only male trees. 

Some kinds have both male and female flowers or both 

flower parts in the one flower. The fruit are dark red 

with many prominent projections united at the base. 

The colour can vary between yellow, green, orange and 

bright red. Sometimes trees are separately male and 

female and sometimes seedless fruit is set. Often male 

and female flowers are separate but on the same tree. 

The fruit hang in loose clusters of 10-12 and are up to 5 

cm long. Normally each fruit contains one large seed. 

Distribution: It is native to Malaysia. It requires a moist hot climate mostly within 12° of the 

equator. They extend from sea level up to altitudes of about 500 m in equatorial zones and will 

grow about 17° from the equator. They do best where the temperature is constant around 28°C 

or range from 22-30°C and rainfall of 2000 to 5000 mm per year. Low humidity can cause 

scorching of leaves. Excessive rainfall before flower formation reduces flowering. A dry period 

of about one month assists flower initiation and areas with two seasonal dry periods can get 

double crops. A well drained soil is needed. It suits hardiness zones 11-12. 

Cultivation: Trees can be grown from fresh seeds. The seeds are short lived so need to be 

planted fresh, after washing. Germination takes place in 7-10 days. Seedlings are not easy to 

transplant. Roots are very sensitive to drying out. Selected trees can be propagated by budding 

or airlayering. Seedling trees vary considerably in quality due to cross pollination. Planting 

densities of 80-120 trees per hectare occur. About 1% male flowers are sufficient if enough 

pollinating insects are present. Some kinds need to have varieties mixed in the garden to get 

good fruit set. Twice yearly applications of organic manure are often used. 

Production: Seedling trees can start to bear after 6 years. Fruiting is seasonal. Flowering 

occurs during the dry season. The main fruit season is November to March. Fruit mature about 

110 days after flowering. Where trees with only female flowers occur male pollinator trees are 

needed. Fruit can weigh 20 to 40 g each. Fruit need to be harvested when ripe. 

Use: The fruit are eaten fresh. Fruit that are more sour are eaten stewed. 

The seeds are sometimes roasted and eaten. The seed can be used for oil. 




Fruit 82.0 271 1.0 1.9 0 53 0.1 


Importance: It is an important fruit tree in SE Asia. Trees have been planted in several coastal 

areas of Papua New Guinea and produce well.

487 

Names 

English: Rhubarb Scientific name: Rheum rhaponticum Linn. 


Tok ples: Plant family: Polygonaceae 

Description: A clumpy plant with broad leaves. They 

grow to 1.2 m high. It has long leaf stalks which are 

mostly red in colour. The leaf stalks have a channel on 

the upper surface. The leaves are large and heart 

shaped at the base. They have a wavy edge. The roots 

are thick and clustered. They are woody and 

underground forming a crown. The stems arise 

individually from this. The flowers grow in tall dense 

leafy panicles which branch close to the stem. They 

can he cream, white or yellow. They can be 3 m high. 

Distribution: It grows between 750 and 2600 m 

altitude in the tropics. It needs a fertile soil. It needs a 

sunny location. It suits hardiness zones 6-10. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown by division of the rootstock. Plants can be grown from seed. 

Seedlings are not easy to transplant. So seed should be sown shallowly and plants thinned to 15- 

100 cm apart. Flowers should be removed to encourage leaf stalk growth. Leaf stalks can be 

forced by covering the plant with a container and keeping it warm and dark. Stalks grow more 

rapidly but the plant is weakened quickly. 

Production: Once crowns are well established, leaf stalks are produced very regularly. The leaf 

stalks are removed regularly. They should be pulled off the crown, not broken or cut off. 

Use: The sour leaf stalks are eaten after cooking with sugar. They are also used in sauces and 

pies. 

Caution: The leaves are poisonous due to oxalates. 




Stalk 94.6 25 0.6 0.4 55 8 

Insects: 


Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungus Aschochyta rhei (Ell. & Ev.)Ell & Ev. 

Pests: 

Importance: Stalks are sold in a few highland markets in Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

488 

Names 

English: Panama berry Scientific name: Muntingia calabura L. 


Tok ples: Plant family: Muntingiaceae 

Description: A small tree up to 5-12 m high. The trunk 

is 15-20 cm across. Branches are wide spreading and 

almost horizontal. The young shoots are covered with 

hairs. The leaves are alternate and elliptical. They are 

4-5 cm long and 3-4 cm wide. The leaves are unequal 

at the base. The leaves have teeth along the edge. The 

leaf is dark green on top and dull below. The flowers 

are small and white or cream. They occur as one or 

two in the axils of leaves. The fruit stalk is 1.5 cm 

long. The fruit are small red berries 1-2 cm across. 

They have many tiny seeds. The fruit are edible. 

Distribution: It is native to the West Indies and South 

America. A tropical plant. They suit sandy coral soils 

of low islands. They grow from sea level up to about 

1000 m altitude in the tropics. They need a warm, 

sunny, sheltered position. It suits hardiness zones 10- 

12. 

Cultivation: Trees can be grown from seed. They can also be grown from cuttings of half ripe 

wood. Seed germinate more readily if they have passed through bats. This means the plant 

often spreads naturally. Seedlings do not tolerate shade. 

Production: Trees grow fairly quickly. Fruit is produced in the second year. Trees flower and 

produce fruit all year round. Fruit ripen in 6-8 weeks. 

Use: The berries are eaten raw. They can be used for jam. 

The leaves can be used for tea. 


Edible 

part 

Insects: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

Diseases: 

Root rot Fungus Phellinus noxius (Corner)G H Cunn. 

Shoots affected by Pink disease Fungus Corticium salmonicolor Berk & Br. 

Pests: 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: It is one of the most common roadside trees in SE Asia. The fruit are eaten 

especially by children. Trees have been planted as small ornamentals in some coastal areas of 


Zinc 

mg

489 

Names 

English: Pomegranate Scientific name: Punica granatum L 


Tok ples: Plant family: Punicaceae 

Description: A shrub. It grows up to 2-6 m tall. It has short 

thorns. It can grow up to 10 m tall. Usually trees lose their leaves 

at one season during the year. The trunk is covered by reddishbrown 

bark. Trees often sucker near the base. The leaves are 

opposite, entire and 8 cm x 1.5 cm. Leaves narrow towards the 

base. It has large scarlet flowers. These are at the ends of 

branches. 1-3 flowers occur together. The fruit is round, leathery 

skinned and up to 10 cm across. It is yellow brown in colour. 

Inside there are angular hard seeds in a juicy yellow pulp. The 

seeds are 10 mm long. 

Distribution: It is native from SE Europe to the Himalayas. It 

suits drier subtropical climates. It suits areas with a long hot dry 

summer and cool winter. A humid climate affects fruit formation. 

They have borne fruit in Papua New Guinea at 1620 m altitude. 

They are mostly coastal up to 500 m in the tropics. Trees are 

severely damaged by temperatures below -11°C. In Nepal they 

grow to about 2700 m altitude. It suits hardiness zone 8-11. 

Cultivation: They are easily raised by seed. They are best propagated by layering or grafting 

but cuttings or root suckers can be used. Cuttings root easily. Cuttings 30 to 50 cm long of one 

year old wood can be used. Pruning of sucker growth and surplus branches is needed. A 

spacing of 4-5 m is suitable. 

Production: Trees bear after about 2-3 years. Fruiting is seasonal. The season tends to be Dec 

to May. The tree loses its vigour after about 15 years but trees can live for many years. The 

pomegranate is self-pollinated as well as cross-pollinated by insects. Cross-pollination increases 

the fruit set. Fruit matures 5 to 7 months after flowering. Fruit need to be picked when mature 

to prevent splitting. Fruit develop a distinctive colour and have a metallic sound when tapped, 

when they are ripe. 

Use: The juicy pulp around the seeds is eaten. 

The juice can be used for a drink. 

The seeds are dried with their aril and used in the Indian condiment Anardana. 




Fruit 

Seeds 

81.0 285 1.0 0.3 0 6 0.1 

Insects: 

Nipaecoccus vastator (Mask.) Pseudococcidae (HEM) 

Diseases: 

Sooty mould Fungi Chaetothyrium sp. 

and Microxyphium sp. 

Pests: 

Importance: Occurs in some areas of Papua New Guinea.

490 

Names 

English: Mulberry Scientific name: Morus alba L. 



Description: A small tree up to 9 m high but it can grow to 20 

m tall. Often it is low and spreading. It has dark green toothed 

leaves. The leaves vary considerably in shape even on the one 

tree. They can be oval, heart shaped or 3 lobed and 5-15 cm 

long. The tip is pointed and the leaf is on a stalk 5 cm long. 

The upper surface is smooth but there can be some hairs on the 

veins underneath. Male and female flowers occur separately 

either on the same or separate plants. The flowers are greenish 

and in spikes which droop down. The fruit is a dark red or black 

berry but pale kinds also occur. The fruit is about 2 cm long. 

Distribution: It is native to N. China. A warm temperate plant. 

The white mulberry (M.alba ) is normally used for silk worms 

and the black mulberry suits more highland regions. The normal 

range is 700 to 2200 m altitude in the tropics. Once established 

it can tolerate heat and drought. It suits hardiness zones 4-10. 

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed but seed are slow to germinate. If seed are used 

they should be soaked in cold water for 48 hours. Trees from seeds take a long time to bear. It 

is better to grow trees from cuttings. Trees can also be grown by grafting. Because trees "bleed" 

it is best not to do too much pruning but trees can be topped or trained. 

Production: Cuttings produce fruit in 3 years while it takes 5-8 years for seedling trees. Fruit is 

produced seasonally. The fruit season is normally September to December in the southern 

hemisphere. 

Use: The fruit is eaten raw or used in juice, stews and tarts. 

The leaves are edible. (Leaves are also used for silk worms.) 

The bark can be roasted and ground into a flour. 

NOTE The stain from the fruit can be removed by rubbing with an unripe fruit. 




Fruit 

Leaves 

Bark 

80.2 152 1.3 0.5 Tr 10 0.1 

Insects: 

Bothrichara palliata Macleay Cerambycidae (COL) 

Cassena intermedia Jacoby Chrysomelidae (COL) 

Howardia biclavis (Comstock) Diaspididae (HEM) 


Lagria sp. Chrysomelidae(COL) 


Oribius destructor Mshl Curculionidae (COL) 




Rhyparida coriacea Jac. Chrysomelidae (COL) Beetle feeding on leaves 

Tiracola plagiata Walk Noctuidae (LEP) Cacao armyworm

Diseases: 

491 

Pests: 

Importance: Trees moderately common in most highland areas of Papua New Guinea for fruit 

and leaves. (Also cultivated for silkworms.) 

Names 

English: Persian mulberry, Black mulberry Scientific name: Morus nigra L. 



Description: A deciduous tree. It is a medium sized 

tree which grows 10-12 m high. The trunk is short and 

then branches widely. It has an extensive root system. 

The bark is dark brown. The young branches are hairy. 

The leaf stalk is 1.5-2.5 cm long. The leaf blade is oval 

and 6-12 cm long by 7-11 cm wide. The flowers are 

small and greenish. The fruit is blackish purple when 

mature. It is 2-2.5 cm long by 1.5-2.5 cm wide. 

Distribution: It grows in temperate Asia. It will grow 

on most types of soils. The soils need to be welldrained. 

The black mulberry will grow in colder places 

than the white mulberry. It suits hardiness zones 5-10. 

Cultivation: It is grown by cuttings of 1-2 year old wood. Larger cuttings make faster growth. 

Cuttings are taken while trees are dormant in winter. Cuttings should be 1.5-2.5 cm across and 

25-35 cm long. They need to be planted in sandy soil to half their depth. Grafted plants can also 

be used. 

Production: 

Use: The fruit are eaten. They can be eaten raw or preserved. They can be used for jams, jellies, 

and drinks. 




Fruit 87.7 180 1.4 1.9 3 36 0.1 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance:

492 

Names 

English: Indian mulberry Scientific name: Morinda citrifolia L. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Morinda tinctoria Ridley 

Tok ples: Noni Plant family: Rubiaceae 

Description: A small evergreen tree. It grows 4-10 m 

tall and spreads 2-6 m wide. The branches are thick 

and somewhat 4 angled. It has large oval leaves which 

grow opposite each other along a four sided shiny 

branch. The leaves have a small leaf like appendage at 

the base of the leaf stem which is fused into a type of 

sheath. The leaves are 12.5-31 cm long by 6.2-15 cm 

wide. The stalks are 0.6-2.5 cm long. The flowers are 

numerous. They are 1.5 cm across. They grow in 

clusters in the axils of leaves. The fruit are rounded 

and small each with two 1-seeded nutlet. The fruit are 

yellowish white when mature, with warty looking 

lumps. They are about 6 cm across. The fruit is a little 

like soursop and has an unpleasant smell when ripe. 

Distribution: They are common along the seashores 

throughout the Philippines. The trees grow wild in 

coastal areas and are also planted. They suit dry areas 

because of high drought tolerance. It is part of the 

coastal vegetation behind the beach. They can grow on 

sand and have salt tolerance. Seeds can float easily in 

salt water. Trees can grow up to about 1500 m altitude. 

Trees cannot stand frost. 

Cultivation: Trees are grown from seeds. Seeds remain viable for at least 6 months. Seeds are 

planted in a nursery. They germinate in 3-9 weeks after sowing. Within 6 months trees grow to 

1.5 m. Flowering and fruiting start in the third year. Trees last for up to 25 years. 

Production: 

Use: The young leaves are cooked as a vegetable or pot herb. 

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. It is often eaten with salt. Green fruit are curried. 

(Red, yellow and brown non edible dyes are obtained from the root.) 




Fruit 86.1 160 0.8 1.1 56 

Leaves 77.6 449 4.5 2.3 50 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

A light brown target leaf spot Probably fungus 

Pests: 

Importance: Trees are moderately common in some lowland areas of Papua New Guinea. Fruit 

are used more than the leaves. It is a minor food. 

Zinc 

mg

493 

Names 

English: Ceriman, Monsteria, Fruit Salad Plant Scientific name: Monstera deliciosa Liebm. 



Description: A woody climber with large leaves with 

natural holes. It attaches itself to trees by roots at the 

nodes and climbs up to 15-20 m high. The stem is stout 

and crooked. The have a few branches. The leaves are 

glossy green. The leaves are divided around the edge. 

The leaves are 30-90 cm across. Young leaves are 

usually on shorter stalks, smaller and entire. The 

flowers are lily like and green. It has long (20-40 cm) 

cone like fruit. 

Distribution: It does best in rich, moist, well-drained 

soils. It suits a protected, shady position. It bears fruit 

between 700 m and 2300 m altitude in the equatorial 

tropics but the plant grows down to the coast. It is 

damaged by drought and frost. Seed need to be sown at 

a temperature between 18-24°C. The plant needs a 

temperature above 15°C. It suits hardiness zones 11- 

12. 

Cultivation: It is easily propagated by cuttings. Stem cuttings with one or two nodes or eyes are 

used. These are placed horizontally in potting mix. Putting these in a warm place with bright 

light but not direct sunlight quickens rooting. It should have a trellis, tree or wall to climb 

against. Plants can be grown from seed. Fruit can be ripened evenly by cutting them as soon as 

the base starts to ripen then wrapping them in paper for few days. 

Production: The fruit take about a year to mature after flowering. 

Use: The fruit is edible. 

The fruit pulp can be strained and used as a drink. 

Caution: The unripe fruit have irritant crystals which sting the mouth. 


Edible 

part 

Fruit 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

494 

Names 

English: Garraway lime Scientific name: Microcitrus garrawayae (Bailey) Swingle 



Description: A shrub. It has a dense bushy habit. It 

can grow up to 15 m tall but is often 2-6 m tall and 2-4 

m wide. Leaves are 1-6 cm long and 1-2.5 cm across. 

The leaves are broader than finger lime. The leaves are 

dull green, thick and leathery. Sometimes leaves have 

broad notches at the tip. Twigs have thorns. The 

flowers occur singly in the axils of leaves. They are 1 

cm across and white. They have a scent. The fruit are 

finger shaped and 5-10 cm long by 1-3.5 cm wide. 

They have both a green skin and a green pulp. The skin 

is up to 2 mm thick and rough. The skin contains large 

oil glands. Cut fruit smell of citrus. There are few 

seeds which are 7 mm long. 

Distribution: A tropical and subtropical plant. It 

grows naturally in the Gulf District in Australia and on 

Goodenough island in Papua New Guinea. It grows as 

an understorey shrub in the deciduous vine forests. 

Plants need some protection when small. They need 

good drainage. 

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed. They can be grown from cuttings on a heat bed but 

rooting is slow and can take 6 months. They can be budded onto citrus rootstocks. Because the 

buds are small this takes some skill to be successful. 

Production: Plants are slow growing. In Australia, plants develop flowers from August to 

December and fruit from April to November. An average fruit weighs 25 g. 

Use: The fruit can be used for processing into drinks or marmalade. 



part 

Fruit 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

495 

Names 

English: Olive Scientific name: Olea europaea L. 


Tok ples: Plant family: Oleaceae 

Description: A medium sized evergreen tree. It grows 

to 16 m high and can spread to 10 m wide. The trunk is 

often gnarled and twisted. The leaves are greyishgreen. 

They are feather shaped and grow opposite each 

other. Leaves are replaced every two or three years. 

The flowers are small and cream coloured. They are on 

long stems in the axils of leaves but are hidden by the 

leaves. Some flowers contain both male and female 

parts while others are male only. Pollination is by wind 

but most olives are self pollinated. Fruit set is better 

with cross pollination and some varieties can only be 

cross pollinated. The fruit is small and green or black 

and oily. The shape, size and colour of fruit vary with 

variety. 

Distribution: Olive require a long hot growing season 

to properly ripen the fruit. They also need sufficient 

winter chill to insure fruit set. Plants can survive frosts 

but green fruit can be damaged as -2°C. Trees are wind 

tolerant. Olives can grow on any well drained soil up 

to pH 8.5. They can tolerate mild saline conditions. It 


Cultivation: Growing trees from seed mean they revert to wild small fruited kinds. Seed are 

poorly viable and may take 2 years to germinate. Normally trees are grown by budding or 

grafting. Suckers can be used but these may be wild seedling kinds. Trees can be grown from 

cuttings. Cuttings 30-35 cm long and 3-8 cm thick from 2 year old wood are used with rooting 

hormone. Thinning the crop can increase fruit size. Thinning to 2-3 fruit per twig is best. 

Pruning both regulates growth and shapes the tree. Careful pruning can avoid bearing in 

alternate years. Olives never bear fruit in the same place twice and normally produce on the 

previous year's growth. 

Production: Trees can reach bearing age in about 4 years. Trees can live for 500 years. Green 

olives are picked unripe, black olives when ripe. 

Use: The fruit is used after being preserved. It is also used for oil. Raw fruit contain an alkaloid 

making them bitter and unpalatable. This is removed by lye curing then washing with water and 

then transferring to a saline solution. 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Fruit 80.0 481 0.84 1.6 40 0.9 0.2 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: A minor introduced fruit in Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

496 

Names 

English: Fei banana Scientific name: Musa maclayi 

F.Muell ex Miklouho-Maclay 



Description: A dark green stemmed banana with an 

upright bunch of fruit. The plant has red sap. The fruit 

is largely seedless. 

Distribution: They occur in small numbers in many 

areas of PNG. 

Cultivation: 

Production: 


Caution: After eating the fruit, the faeces and urine become red. 


Edible 

part 

Fruit 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

Importance: A minor edible fruit in some coastal areas of Papua New Guinea. 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

497 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Musa ingens Simmonds 



Description: A wild banana with angular seeds in the 

fruit. The seeds are up to 8 mm across and the fruit are 

green but turn yellow/brown when ripe. The fruit are 

close together on the bunch. 

Distribution: It grows wild in some areas between 

1000 and 2100 m altitude. 

Cultivation: It grows from seeds and also has some suckers. 

Production: 

Use: The central pith of the false stem of some kinds is used as a food by hunting parties. 



part 

Stem 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: A very minor food. 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

498 

Names 

English: Sapodilla Scientific name: Manilkara zapota (L.)Van Royen 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Achras sapota L. 


Description: A medium sized evergreen tree up to 

18 m tall. It can grow to 30 m in tropical regions. 

The leaves are 8-12 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. The 

leaves are green and shiny. The leaves tend to be 

clustered in spirals near the ends of twigs. The 

flowers are single and white in the axils of leaves. 

They are bell like and 1 cm across and produced on 

long stalks. The fruit has several smooth black 

shiny seeds. The fruit are normally in pairs and 5-8 

cm across. It is rusty brown in colour. The fruit can 

be seedless or can have up to 3 to 12 hard shiny 

seeds inside. The seeds are flattened and about 2 cm 

long. The tree has a milky juice. 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant. It will grow in 

subtropical climates. 

It needs a warm climate above 18°C to 24°C. Tree can stand temperatures down to freezing for 

short periods of time. Frost will kill young trees but mature trees can tolerate reasonable frosts. 

Good year round rainfall is needed especially for young trees. It will probably grow up to 1000 

m in the tropics but is better at lower altitudes. It can tolerate some salt in the soil. They need 

good fertile soil. It can grow in heavy clay soils. It can grow in acid soils. Young trees need 

extra fertiliser for good growth. It does best in sunny positions. It cannot tolerate waterlogged 

soils but can withstand drought. It can stand strong winds. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. 

Cultivation: Trees can be grown from fresh seeds but they are not true to type. This has resulted 

in many varieties which vary in fruit shape and size. It is best to use grafted plants. Seed remain 

viable for several years. Better varieties should be grown by grafting or airlayering. Trees can 

be grown from cuttings of mature branches. Seedling trees tend to be taller. Growing from 

cuttings is not easy. A spacing of 8-9 metres is suitable. Thinning of fruit is rarely undertaken 

as sap discolours other fruit. Topping of the tree can be done if the tree becomes too tall. Trees 

need little pruning. 

Production: Trees are slow growing. Seedling trees take about 8-10 years to commence 

bearing. Grafted trees bear when about 4-5 years old. Fruit takes about 4-6 months after 

flowering to mature. There can be several bunches of fruit throughout the year. The fruit should 

be harvested when fully ripe to avoid the sticky latex. Often there are two crops each year. A 

well established 10 year old tree can produce 200-250 kgs of fruit per year. Fruit need to be 

fully ripe. It is not easy to determine ripeness except for a slight colour change. Allowing fruit 

to fall ensures full maturity. The fully ripe fruit are eaten. Fruit weigh about 110 g. Fruit can be 

stored at 2°C for 6 weeks. 

Use: The fully ripe fruit are eaten. The fruit are eaten fresh. They can be used for drinks, jams 

or jellies. The unripe fruit can be pickled. 

The juice can be boiled into syrup or made into syrup or wine. 

The bark contains a gummy substance (chicle) used for chewing gum. 

The very young shoots and leaves may be eaten, but older leaves contain an alkaloid poison. 

Caution: The seeds are hooked and can catch in the throat so should be removed.

499 




Fruit 

Leaves 

74.0 361 0.5 0.7 10 12 0.1 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: Fruit are sold in markets. It is a popular fruit in SE Asia. It has been introduced to 

Papua New Guinea and is not yet common.

500 

Names 

English: Litchi, Lychee Scientific name: Litchi chinensis Sonnerat 



Description: A medium sized evergreen tree. It grows up 

to 15 m tall but can be 35 m tall. It has a dense round 

crown. The trunk is smooth and grey with brittle trunk 

and branches. The trunk can be 1 m across. Leaves are 

shiny and light green. The leaves are reddish when young. 

They are leathery and divided into 4-8 leaflets. The 

leaflets are oval and taper to the tip. The flowers are pale 

green and in loosely branched groups at the ends of 

branches. It bears bunches of rough skinned pinkish fruit 

3-4 cm across. These droop in clusters. There are 3 

subspecies ssp. chinensis, ssp. philippinensis, ssp. 

javensis. There are many cultivated varieties. 

Distribution: It is native to Asia from China to Malaysia. It grows satisfactorily in the humid 

equatorial lowland areas but does not fruit. For fruiting it needs to be at a higher altitude or 

latitude because it has a cold temperature chilling requirement. Most varieties need between 100 

and 200 hours of standard chilling (0° and 7°C). It needs a deep moist soil and freedom from 

frost. Trees can stand temperatures down to -2°C when mature. Temperatures below 5°C at 

flowering upset normal flower opening. Cool dry climates are important. Although litchi will 

grow on a range of soils, well drained soils are best. A pH between 5.5 and 7.5 is suitable. It 


Cultivation: Trees are mostly grown from seed but they do not breed true and are slow to 

produce. Trees can be propagated by aerial layering, grafting or cuttings. Air layering is best. 

Seeds do not store well (4-5 days), so fresh seed must be sown. Air layers on mature branches in 

the warmer season are best. Branches of 2 to 2.5 cm across with 45 cm of shoot are suitable for 

air layers. A spacing of 10-12 m is suitable. Good soil preparation prior to planting enables 

good early growth. Organic matter dug in over 1 metre square and 30 cm deep 3 months before 

planting is good. A stick for support of the young plant and shelter are needed at planting. A pH 

of 5.5 to 6.0 is required. Because it is shallow rooting, cultivation should be avoided and 

mulching practised. Small amounts of fertiliser added often is the appropriate method. Lychee 

trees have a high water consumption. Only limited tree training is required. Often no general 

pruning is required. Plants need adequate water but not waterlogged soil. 

Production: Vegetatively propagated trees bear in 4-6 years. Fruiting is normally seasonal. It 

takes 140 days from flowering to fruit maturity. Fruit need to be harvested ripe from the tree. 

The normal harvesting method is to remove the fruit with a few cm of the stem still attached. 

Early fruit set is affected by vegetative growth at flowering. Insects (bees) are important for fruit 

set. Wind breaks are essential because wind at flowering can reduce fruit set. 

Use: The fleshy pulp around the seeds is eaten. They are eaten fresh, preserved or dried. 




Fruit 80.6 286 1.1 0.5 0 49 0.1 


Importance: It is an important fruit in Asia and is exported. It has been introduced into Papua 

New Guinea and trees grow well but fruiting is rare probably because trees should be at mid 

altitude zones.

501 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Maesa edulis White 


Tok ples: Plant family: Maesaceae 

Description: A small spreading tree or large shrub up 

to 8 m high with dark green leaves. The leaves are 

papery and long. Flowers occur with 2-4 together in a 

cluster. The flowers are bell shaped with an orange 

centre. The fruit is cream coloured and transparent 

with black seeds visible from the outside. It has a 

sweetish pulp. 

Distribution: It grows in coastal areas in lowland 

rainforest on both the mainland and islands. 

Cultivation: Trees are fruiting at least February to August. 

Production: 

Use: The fruit is edible. 



part 

Fruit 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea, a minor wild edible fruit with a pleasant taste. 

Zinc 

mg

502 

Names 

English: Langsat Scientific name: Lansium domesticum Correa 


Tok ples: Plant family: Meliaceae 

Description: An upright slender tree to 12-20 m high. It 

has sticky sap. The leaves are alternate and simple. 

Leaves are up to 40 cm long and made up of 5-7 large 

leaflets. The flowers are yellow in spikes from old wood 

mostly on the branches. The flowers have 5 petals which 

join to form a tube. The flowers have a sweet smell. The 

fruit is 3-5 cm across and divided into 5 segments with 1-2 

large seeds. The fruit is borne in long drooping clusters. 

There can be 25 fruit in a cluster. The fruit is pale yellow 

when ripe. It develops a brown scurf on the surface as it 

ripens. The seeds are green and bitter and are not eaten. 

Langsats have thin skin, milky juice and are oval and 3.7 

cm across. Dukus have thick skin, are round, do not have 

milky juice and are 5 cm across. They are also sweeter 

than Langsat. 

Distribution: It is native to Malaysia. It is a tropical plant. It occurs in coastal areas and 

probably up to 700 m altitude in the tropics. A rich deep well drained soil is needed. It suits 

humid places and is not suited to places with a distinct dry season. It does well in part shade. It 

can tolerate lower temperature, rainfall and humidity than rambutan. 

Cultivation: Trees are mostly grown by seed. Seeds remain viable for about 5 weeks if kept 

moist. Seeds should be washed and cleaned before planting. Seeds are planted 1 cm deep in a 

nursery. Germination takes 1- 3 weeks. When seedlings are 15 cm tall they are put into nursery 

beds for 1-2 years before being planted out in the field. Seedlings do not come into bearing for 

12-20 years. They can be grown by budding. Buds should be put onto 4 year old rootstocks of 

the same species. Buds dry out quickly so should be inserted immediately. Propagation by 

grafting, marcottage and cuttings is difficult. A spacing of 8-10 m is suitable. Seedlings dry out 

quickly, so need to be transplanted carefully. Shade is normally provided for the first few years. 

Production: Trees are slow growing. Fruit production is seasonal. The season tends to be from 

December to March. Often trees have large crops every second year. Trees start to produce 

after 5-8 years but can take 15 years to bear fruit. Fruit will only last about 4 days at normal 

temperatures. They can be stored at low temperatures for several weeks. 

Use: Fruit is eaten fresh after they fall. Seedless fruit can be bottled in syrup. 

NOTE The stickiness of the juice of the fruit can be removed by dipping it in boiling water. 


Edible Moisture Energy Protein Calcium Iron proVit A 

part % KJ g mg mg µg 

Fruit 86.5 238 0.8 5 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

proVit C 

mg 

Pests: 

Importance: It is an important fruit in SE Asia. In Papua New Guinea, introduced to research 

farms and now being grown in a few places. 

Zinc 

mg

503 

Names 

English: Roselle, Rosella Scientific name: Hibiscus sabdariffa L. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Abelmoschus sabdariffa 


Description: A branched shrub up to 2 m high. It has 

reddish stems, leaves and fruit. Different types vary in 

their height, shape and leafiness. The leaves are 7-10 cm 

across and lobed. The upper leaves often have more lobes 

than the lower leaves. The flowers are large and yellow 

and in the axils of the leaves. They are carried singly. 

The bracts at the base of the flower are enlarged and form 

a fleshy red fruit. This capsule is 3 cm long and contains 

22-34 seeds. The seeds are dark brown and 4-6 mm long. 

1000 seeds weigh about 25 g. 

Distribution: It grows from sea level up to about 1000 m 

altitude. It will tolerate a range of soils. It requires short 

days for flowering. They will grow in semi arid locations. 

It grows best where average temperatures are in the range 

25-30°. Plants will tolerate high temperatures. They grow 

up to 800 m altitude in Africa. A rainfall of 450-550 mm 

distributed over a 90-120 day growing period is required. 

It cannot tolerate waterlogged soils. It suits hardiness 

zones 10-12. 

Cultivation: Seeds are sown and the seedlings can be transplanted. They are transplanted when 

15-20 cm high. Seed should be planted 1-2.5 cm deep. A spacing of 50 cm x 50 cm is suitable 

although a wider spacing is used for fruit and a closer one for leaves. Plants can be propagated 

by cuttings. 

Production: Fruit are ready 12-15 weeks after sowing. The bracts are picked 15-20 days after 

flowering. They can produce about 1 kg per plant. The yield of leaves can be 10 tons per 

hectare. 

Use: The swollen bases of the flowers are used for jams or drinks. 

The young leaves can be cooked and eaten. They can also be dried and used. 

The flowers can be used to flavour drinks. 

The seeds can be eaten. They can be pressed for oil. 




Flower base 86.0 185 1.6 3.8 29 14 

Leaves 

Seeds 

86.4 185 10.9 1.5 35 4.1 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: The leaves are flowers are sold in markets in India. In Papua New Guinea, not 

common except in areas where people have been encouraged to grow it. eg Sepik.

504 

Names 

English: Garuga Scientific name: Garuga floribunda Decne 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Garuga pacifica Burkill 


Description: A small tree. It grows 8-12 m tall and 

spreads 5-10 m wide. The branches are thick and have 

scars left where the leaves have fallen. The leaves are 

crowded at the ends of branches. The leaves are 10-30 

cm long and divided into leaflets along the central stalk. 

There are 14-16 leaflets and these are 4-8 cm long by 2- 

4 cm across. They are oval or sword shaped. They are 

leathery and dark green on the upper surface and paler 

underneath. They taper towards the tip and have 

unequal slanting sides at the base. Young leaves often 

have a reddish tinge. The flower branch is 20-30 cm 

across and occurs at the ends of small branches. They 

flowers are greenish white and hairy and 1 cm across. 

The fruit is fleshy with a woody shell around the seed 

inside. The fruit is about 2.5 cm across. It is oval and 

rough. The fruit is edible. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. It suits coastal regions 

in tropical places. It is very sensitive to cold. They 

need an open sunny position and well drained soil. It 

grows from sea level to 450 m altitude in Samoa. 

Cultivation: They are grown from seed which should be sown while fresh. The seed germinate 

irregularly. to break the seed coat it may pay to scratch the seed then soak in water before 

sowing. 

Production: 



Edible 

part 

Fruit 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

505 

Names 

English: Kumquat, Oval kumquat Scientific name: Fortunella margarita (Lour.) Swingle 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Citrus margarita Lour. 


Description: An evergreen shrub up to 4 m high. It 

spreads to 2 m across. The stem is slender and 

branching. It has a rounded crown. It has spiny 

branches and shiny oval leaves with pointed tips. The 

leaves are leathery. Flowers are white with 5 petals. 

They occur singly and have a perfume. Fruit are very 

small and about 2.5 cm across. They are divided into 

only 3-6 sections. 

Distribution: It suits subtropical locations. It grows 

from sea level to at least 1150 m altitude in the tropics. 

It is cold tolerant. When dormant it can stand frosts, 

but not when in leaf. It cannot tolerate drought. It 

prefers well drained soils in an open sunny position. 

They cannot stand waterlogging. They do best with a 

pH of 5 to 6. They cease growth when temperatures 

fall below 13°C. It suits hardiness zones 9-10. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seeds or by grafting. They can also be grown from cuttings. 

Seed need to be sown fresh. 

Production: Fruiting is seasonal. The season tends to be December to May in the southern 

hemisphere. The fruit improve in flavour if allowed to stay on the tree after ripening. 

Use: The ripe fruit can be eaten fresh, skin and all. 

The fruit are often pickled or used in jam. 




Fruit 81.7 264 0.9 0.4 30 37 0.1 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: Occasionally grown in Papua New Guinea. These plants have been hybridised to 

give limequats and orangequats.

506 

Names 

English: Fig Scientific name: Ficus carica L. 



Description: A low spreading deciduous tree with large 

leaves. It can grow to 10 m high. Trees are widely 

spreading with many branches. It has milky sap. The 

small branches are straight and strong. The leaves 

spread out like fingers on a hand with 3 or 5 lobes. The 

leaves are rough textured on the upper surface and 

downy underneath. The flowers are of one sex only. 

There are two sex forms - the caprifig and the fig. The 

caprifigs are dry and hard and develop 3 times a year. 

They harbour the fig wasp which itself goes through 3 

different stages of its life cycle in these 3 fruit seasons. 

The "fruit" is a hollow receptacle with an opening at the 

tip. Inside this the flowers grow and mature. The true 

fruit develop inside this large receptacle. They are 

produced either singly or in pairs in the axils of leaves. 

Fruit colour can vary from black, brown, green and 

yellow. 

Distribution: It is native to S.W. Asia. It suits tropical, subtropical and warm temperate regions. 

It can stand light frosts once hardened. Of the very large number of figs in PNG, this one is 

introduced. It suits highland areas in the tropics with a lower rainfall. It produces better if rain 

is less at flowering. Good summer heat is necessary for sugar-rich fruit. Plants do best in heavy 

soil in well prepared sites. It needs a neutral pH. It has some salt tolerance. In Nepal it grows to 

about 1200 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. 

Cultivation: It can be grown by cuttings. It can also be grown by budding and grafting. Smyrna 

figs need fig wasps for pollination. Adriatic figs develop fruit without pollination. Trees should 

be pruned for good production and easy harvesting. 

Production: Figs start to bear after about 7 years and can continue for decades but they become 

unprofitable after 50 years. Fruit ripen in their second year. 

Use: Fruit are eaten raw or cooked. 

They can be dried, preserved or used in jam. 

The fruit are made into brandy and wine. 




Fruit raw 84.6 174 1.3 0.4 500 2 0.3 

Fruit dry 16.8 908 3.6 4.2 50 0 0.9 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Rust Fungus Cerotelium fici (Cast.)Arth. 

Pests: 

Importance: They have been introduced to Papua New Guinea, and tried but are not common.

507 

Names 

English: Persimmon, Japanese persimmon Scientific name: Diospyros kaki L. f. 


Tok ples: Plant family: Ebenaceae 

Description: A tree up to 12 m high which loses its leaves each 

year. The branches tend to hang over and they have a dense 

covering of leaves. Leaves are long and pointed (10 x 6 cm). 

The leaves are dark green and shiny on top and lighter under. 

Young leaves are pale green and old leaves turn yellow or red 

before they fall. Male and female flowers are normally on 

separate tree. Therefore pollinator trees often help. Sometimes 

male and female flowers occur on the same tree. Fruit are 7 cm 

across, with flattened ends and orange with a thin skin. It can 

have a few large seeds inside or be seedless. Pollination and 

seeding influence flavour and fruit ripeness. There are many 

varieties. 

Distribution: It suits cooler Mediterranean type climates. It 

does best in well drained soils. They can stand some 

waterlogging. In the tropics it needs to grow in highland areas 

with a distinctly seasonal climate. 

Dormant trees can tolerate freezing temperatures. They have only a short (100 hours) chilling 

requirement. They will not tolerate acid soils. A pH of 6.5 to 7.5 is preferred. Branches tend to 

be brittle and damaged by strong winds. In Nepal it grows to about 1200 m altitude. It suits 


Cultivation: They are grown from seeds. Seeds often germinate poorly. Trees grow slowly. 

Budded or grafted trees can be used. Trees can be pruned and shaped either along a wall or as a 

hedge. Pruning when trees are young to develop a strong framework of branches is important. 

Adequate moisture is needed during the year. Trees can grow and produce with minimal 

fertiliser. 

Production: Fruiting is seasonal. Often trees bear large crops one year and small ones the next 

year. This can be evened out by thinning out some of the fruit is the high yielding years. Fruit 

should be cut from the branches cutting the stalk near the fruit. Fruit are often ripened by putting 

near other ripening fruit like banana. Fruit must be handled carefully to avoid bruising. Fruit 

can be stored in a refrigerator for one month. 

Use: The fruit is eaten raw or can be cooked. It needs to be fully ripe and soft. Freezing fruit 

overnight can improve sweetness. Fruit can be stored frozen. 

Fruit are used for wine and vinegar. 




Fruit raw 80.3 293 0.58 0.2 217x 7.5 0.1 

Fruit dry 23.0 1146 1.38 0.7 56 0 0.4 

Diseases: 

Insects: 

Ichnaspis longirostris (Sign.) Diaspididae (HEM) Black thread scale 


Importance: This tree has been introduced and tried in a few highland areas of Papua New 

Guinea but so far has not grown or fruited well.

508 

Names 

English: Velvet apple Scientific name: Diospyros blancoi A.DC 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Diospyros discolor Willd. nom. illeg. 

Diospyros philippensis (Desr.) Burke 


Description: A large tree. It can grow to 20 m 

or more high. Often it is only a small tree. It 

is a spreading tree with drooping branches. 

The leaves are smooth but covered with fine 

soft hairs. They are 7.5-22.5 cm long by 2.5- 

7.5 cm wide. The leaves are dark green on the 

top surface and copper coloured underneath. 

Flowers are in small clusters of 2-3 together in 

the axils of leaves. Both male and female 

flowers occur. These are on separate trees. 

The flowers are cream and have a slight scent. 

The fruit are round and 5-8 cm across. 

The fruit colour is pink to brown. It can be dark red or purple. The fruit have short silky hairs 

and have the sepals still attached. The flesh is white and sweet but has a cheesy unpleasant 

smell. The fruit are like a flat persimmon but have a velvety appearance. Often fruit contain 

many large seeds. Seedless fruit also occur. 

Distribution: A tropical and subtropical plant. Mature trees can withstand light frost for short 

times. Young trees do not tolerate low temperatures. It is better to have trees in sheltered places 

protected from cold winds. Slightly acid, moist and free draining soils are best. It can grow in 

sun or light shade. It cannot tolerate salt. Plants grow naturally in the Philippines. It suits 

hardiness zones 9-12. It has become established wild in the bush in the Gazelle Peninsula of 

Papua New Guinea. It grows from sea level to 200m altitude in Taiwan. 

Cultivation: They are cultivated for the fruit popularly known as mabalo. Plants are normally 

grown from seed. A spacing of 5 m is needed. Trees should be left unattended prior to 

flowering. 

Production: A slow growing tree. It may take three years for seedling trees to be large enough to 

transplant. Fruiting is not normally seasonal. Fruit ripening takes 2-4 months from flowering. 

Use: The fleshy portion of the fruit is eaten raw when ripe. The fruit is eaten fresh or made into 

jellies or juice. The hairs and skin are removed. 


Edible 

part 

Fruit 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Pests: 

Importance: At present only of minor importance in some coastal areas of Papua New Guinea. 

It is better suited to Papua New Guinea than the Japanese persimmon (Diospyros kaki). 

Zinc 

mg

509 

Names 

English: Tulican, Scrub Ebony Scientific name: Diospyros hebecarpa Cunn. ex Benth. 



Description: A small tree. It grows 7-10 m high and 

spreads 3-6 m wide. The wood is soft and yellow. The 

tree has a dark compact crown. The branches are 

slender and greyish-green. The young shoots have 

short hairs. The leaves hang in a lax fashion on the 

tree. The leaves are simple, entire and alternate. They 

are oval and the tip comes to a point while the base is 

tapered. The leaves are dark green and dull above but 

lighter and more shiny underneath. The leaves are 5-9 

cm long by 2-3 cm wide. The male and female flowers 

are separate. The fruit are 1.5-2.5 cm across and round. 

They are covered with short hairs. The seeds are 

flattened and there are about 8 seeds in a fruit. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. It grows naturally in 

mixed secondary forest. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed which must be sown fresh. 

Production: It is slow growing especially when young. It needs well drained acid soil. It 

probably does best with light shade. In Australia flowering is in October. 





Fruit 82.8 264 0.2 1.2 105 98 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Zinc 

mg

510 

Names 

English: Longan Scientific name: Dimocarpus longan Lour. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Euphoria longana Lam. 


Description: A tree up to 12-40 m high with a low trunk 

and spreading branches. The tree has a rounded crown. It 

keeps its leaves throughout the year. The trunk can be 80 

cm across. There can be buttresses 2 m tall. The bark is 

corky. The twigs have 5 faint grooves. The leaves are 3- 

45 cm long by 1.8-20 cm wide. The leaves have petioles 

and six to nine leaflets. Leaflets are up to 12 cm long. 

Young leaflets are often red before turning green. The 

flowers occur in upright clusters. These are 8-40 cm long. 

They are produced on new growth. The flowers are small 

and reddish-brown. A progression of male, female and 

hermaphrodite flowers occur. 

Flowers are pollinated by insects. The fruit is similar to a litchi and about 2.5 cm across. They 

are yellow-brown when mature and with a pebbly surface. They occur in clusters of 10 to 80. 

The flesh or aril is white and sweet. The seed is small, round and brownish-black. 

Distribution: It will grow in poorer soils and colder conditions than a litchi. It can stand frost 

and needs a period of cool temperature to fruit well. So they suit a subtropical to warm 

temperate climate, but will also grow in the lowland tropics. The chilling requirement is less 

than litchi which means it will fruit in more tropical areas. They can tolerate wind but drying 

winds at flowering affect fruit set. Excessive rainfall during flowering reduces fruit set. It suits 

monsoonal regions with a distinct wet and dry season. They can tolerate flooding for a few days. 


Cultivation: Seedlings do not produce true to type and take up to 20 years to fruit. So air 

layered or grafted plants are used and these fruit in 3-4 years. For air layering, mature shoots 

about 2-3 cm across are chosen which do not have active vegetative growth. A ring is cut 

around the twig 50 cm from the tip removing the bark and soft wood. A plastic sleeve is put 

over the twig and tied below the cut ring. Then peat moss or rooting mix is filled into the sleeve 

and this is tied off above the ring. When roots have formed the twig is cut off and planted. 

Cuttings and budding can also be used. Spacing needs to be 5-8 m apart. Deep rooting needs to 

be encouraged by good site preparation. This stops trees being blown over. Wind protection is 

essential. Although flowers need to be cross pollinated, this can be done between flowers on the 

same tree as flowers develop at different times. Very little pruning should be done. Fruit need 

to ripen on the tree. They do not ripen further after harvest. 

Production: Seedlings grow slowly at first, but then grow more rapidly. Up to 40 to 55 kg of 

fruit per tree are possible. Fruit can be stored for 6 weeks at 5°C when covered. Trees can live 

for 400 years. 

Use: The fruit is eaten raw or cooked. 

They can be dried and stored or preserved canned in syrup. 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Fruit 82.0 255 1.3 1.2 84 0.1 


Importance: Rare in Papua New Guinea but common in Indonesia. 

Zinc 

mg

511 

Names 

English: Elephant apple Scientific name: Dillenia indica (R. Br. ex DC.) Martelli 


Tok ples: Plant family: Dilleniaceae 

Description: An evergreen tree with a short trunk. It 

grows to 10-15-30 m high and spreads to 4-10 m 

across. The bark is rough. It has a dense round crown. 

The branches are straggling and droop at the end. The 

leaves are at the ends of branches. The leaves are 

deeply ribbed. They have teeth around the edge. The 

leaves are bright dark green. They are 15-25 cm long 

and 5-10 cm wide, but can be twice that size. The 

leaves have a bold pattern of sunken veins. The leaf 

stalk is 2-5 cm long. The flower buds are large and 

round and look like fruit. The flowers are large and 

white and 20 cm across. They are cup shaped. The 

flowers are produced in the upper leaf axils. 

The flower sepals thicken and cover the fruit to make a round green fruit up to 12 cm across. 

The seeds are kidney shaped with hairy edges. They are embedded in a glutinous pulp. 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant. It prefers rich moist soils. It needs a protected partly shaded 

position. It is drought and frost tender. They need a temperature above 15°C to grow. It grows 

in moist evergreen forest. In Papua New Guinea it is an introduced species and grows in coastal 

areas below about 600 m altitude. In Yunnan in China it grows between 600-1100 m altitude. It 


Cultivation: Plants are normally grown from seed. They can be grown from cuttings. 

Production: 

Use: The fruit can be used for jellies, curries and drinks. It is the fleshy sepals around the fruit 

that are eaten. The fruit can be eaten raw. They can be made into jam. 




Fruit 84.5 2.2 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot 

Pests: 

Importance: Trees are only occasionally seen in coastal areas of Papua New Guinea and they 

are rarely used for food. 

Zinc 

mg

512 

Names 

English: Red beach, Golden Guinea Tree Scientific name: Dillenia alata 

(R.Br.ex DC.) Martelli 


Tok ples: Plant family: Dilleniaceae 

Description: A small to medium sized tree. It 

grows to 10-18 m high and spreads to 4-10 m 

across. The trunk is smoothly round. It has a 

dense rounded evergreen crown. The bark is 

loose and flaky. It is reddish brown and bright 

in colour. The leaves are smooth and 

produced one after another along the stem. 

They are often grouped into rings around the 

stem. They are a rich glossy green. They are 

broadly oval with a lobe at the base. The leaf 

blade is 13-25 cm long by 8-12 cm wide. 

The veins show up clearly and they are raised underneath the leaf. The tip of the leaf is rounded. 

The leaf stalk has prominent wings and is 5.5 cm long. The flowers are bright yellow. They 

have 5 petals and 5 spreading lobes. The flowers are 5-8 cm across. There are usually 2-4 

flowers together in a cluster at the end of a branch. The fruit is smooth, open, flat and fleshy. 

They are 4-4.5 cm across. There are 6-8 segments. These open out in a spreading fashion. The 

fruit are pinkish red when ripe. The fruit contain small brown seeds in a white seed layer. The 

seed are 5 mm across. 

Distribution: It occurs in dense coastal monsoon forest near freshwater streams. It needs 

adequate moisture and a well drained soil. It suits a humid place. A tropical plant. It is drought 

and frost tender. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. 

Cultivation: It can be grown from fresh seeds. It can also be grown from cuttings. 

Production: It is a fast growing tree. In Australia flowering is in October to January and fruit 

occur in October to November. (September to February). 

Use: The seeds are eaten raw especially by children. 

The white fleshy part of the fruit (aril) can be eaten. 



part 

Fruit 

Seeds 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

Importance: A very occasional plant in Papua New Guinea. 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

513 

Names 

English: Akee Scientific name: Blighia sapida Koenig 



Description: A small evergreen tree up to 9-13-20 m 

tall. It spreads to 3 m across. The stem is erect and 

branching. It has a spreading, open-textured crown. 

The leaves are dark green with 6, 8 or 10 curved 

leaflets. The flowers are greenish white in branched 

flowers stalks, in the axils of leaves. They extend 

upwards. The fruit is about 9 cm long and red when 

ripe. The fruit has five segments. It is roughly pear 

shaped. The fruit opens naturally when ripe and 

usually has 3 black seeds inside. These are covered 

with yellowish flesh called an aril. The aril is edible. 

The pink tissue is toxic. Unripe fruit are toxic. 

Distribution: It is native to tropical West Africa. It 

suits the humid tropics. It needs 2,000 mm of rain per 

year. It does best in moist, well composted soils in a 

sheltered, sunny position. It is drought and frost tender. 

It can grow in the subtropics and survive with 

temperatures near freezing. It suits hardiness zones 10- 

12. 

Cultivation: Trees can be grown by seeds or cuttings. 

Production: It often bears two crops per year. It starts to produce after 4 years. Trees can keep 

producing for 50 years. 

Use: The fleshy white aril around the seeds is edible after the fruit opens naturally. It is often 

cooked by boiling in salt water. It looks like scrambled eggs after cooking. 

Caution: The seeds are poisonous. The unripe aril is inedible. The pink tissue between the aril 

and seed is poisonous. 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Fruit 57.6 753 8.75 5.5 0 78 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea it is an introduced crop not widely grown and rarely used. 

The fruit is popular in Jamaica. It is part of their national dish. 

Zinc 

mg

514 

Names 

English: Black currant tree Scientific name: Antidesma ghaesembilla Gaertn. 



Description: A stout and erect tree. It grows 3-8 m tall 

and spreads 2-4 m across. The trunk is covered with 

chalky yellowish brown bark. It is rough and mottled. 

The timber is light coloured and hard. The young 

branches and new leaves have woolly hairs. The tree 

loses its leaves during the dry season. The leaves are 3- 

7.5 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. They are broadly oval 

with a blunt tip. The leaves are thinly textured and 

shiny on the upper surface but paler underneath. The 

leaves are numerous. The flowers are numerous and 

densely clustered. Male and female flowers occur on 

separate trees. The male flower spikes are 2.5-5 cm 

long and the female flowers are on short thick stalks at 

the ends of branches. The individual flowers are very 

small and about 1-2 mm long. The fruit are small, oval 

and fleshy. They are 0.4-0.6 cm long and purple when 

ripe. The fruit are edible. 

Distribution: They are common at low and medium altitudes throughout the islands of the 

Philippines. It grows to 120 m altitude in Malaysia. In Australia they grow in the north in open 

vine forest. 

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings. 

Production: Fruit are available September to December in Australia. 

Use: The fruit are eaten raw when ripe. They are sour. They can be used for jam. The fruit are 

also used with meat and fish dishes. 

The leaves are used as acid flavouring in food. 




Fruit 

Leaves 

71.9 450 1.4 2.5 0.4 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Rust Fungus Crossopsora antidesma-dioicae (Racib) Arth. & Cumm. 

Pests: 

Importance: It is not known if it is used for food in Papua New Guinea.

515 

Names 

English: Wild Currant Scientific name: Antidesma erostre F. Muell. ex Benth. 



Description: A small tree which grows 3-6 m tall. The 

tree has a stiff habit. Trees can grow to 20 m tall. It 

spreads to 2-4 m across. The bark is pale brown. The 

leaves are oblong or sword shaped and 5-10 cm long by 

2-3 cm wide. Leaves are simple and shiny on both 

surfaces. They are smooth and without hairs and are 

drawn out into a long point. They have a slender leaf 

stalk. The female flower bunch has stalks of flowers 

around a common axis. The bunches are 2-4 cm long. 

They are slender and produced in the axils of leaves or 

at the ends of branches. The fruit is about 5 mm across 

and 7 mm long. The fruit are oval, flattened and red. 

The fruit are acid and edible. There is one seed about 7 

mm long by 5 mm across. 

Distribution: It is a plant for the tropics and subtropics. It grows in coastal and highland areas 

in north east Queensland in Australia. It needs a sunny position and well drained soils. 

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings. Fresh seeds should be used. 

Production: Plants may be slow growing. Fruit are available March to November. (September 

to December). 

Use: The fruit can be used for desserts or jam. 



part 

Fruit 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 


proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

516 

Names 

English: Chinese laurel Scientific name: Antidesma bunius (L.)Spreng. 



Description: A small bushy tree. It can be up to 15 

metres high. The leaves tend to be long and narrow and 

shiny. They are dark green. They are pointed at the tip 

and more rounded at the base. The leaves are 10-15 cm 

long by 5-7 cm wide. The male and female flowers are 

separate, on separate trees. Female flowers producing 

fruit are on the ends of branches. A spike of dark 

reddish black berries is produced. The berries are about 

1 cm across and have one seed inside. They hang in a 

large cluster. 

Distribution: It can probably grow up to 1000 m 

altitude in the tropics. It can stand light frost. They can 

grow on a variety of soils. They are common and 

widely distributed in open places and secondary forest 

throughout the Philippines. 

It can tolerate salt. It suits the humid tropical lowlands. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. 

Cultivation: It grows from seeds. These can be planted, but trees also grow naturally from seed. 

Trees can be produced by budding, grafting or from cuttings. Aerial layering can also be used. 

Spacing should be about 12 to 14 metres between trees. Some male trees need to be present for 

cross pollination. When female trees produce fruit without male trees, the seed from these fruit 

normally will not germinate. 

Production: Seedling trees fruit 4-5 years after planting. The fruiting season lasts a couple of 

months. 

Use: The fruit are eaten raw when ripe or cooked. 

They are acid so are often better as jam, jellies and wine. 

Because the fruit is high in pectin it makes good jams and jellies. 

The young leaves are eaten with rice. 

Caution: The bark is poisonous. 




Fruit 

Leaves 

81.7 281 0.7 31 69 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: The fruit are sold in markets. This in only a minor edible fruit of lowland tropical 

areas. It is important in Indonesia and occasional in Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

517 

Names 

English: Chinese gooseberry, Kiwifruit Scientific name: Actinidia chinensis Planch 


Tok ples: Plant family: Actinidiaceae 

Description: A hardy climbing shrub that loses all its 

leaves at one time. It climbs up to 10 m by twining 

around its support. The leaves are heart shaped and up 

to 20 cm long. Male and female flowers are on separate 

plants. The flowers have a sweet scent. The fruit is up 

to 8 cm long and 3 cm across and mostly covered with 

fine hairs. The inside flesh is green. This plant is the 

parent of Kiwifruit which are now listed as Actinidia 

deliciosa. 

Distribution: Young shoots and fruit are damaged by 

frost. Plants have fruited at 1000 m altitude in 

equatorial regions. It grows naturally in China in 

thickets and oak forests on slopes or in ravines between 

200-2300 metres altitude. It cannot tolerate wet soils. 

It needs shelter from wind and frost. It has a winter 

chilling requirement of 500-800 hours below 7°C. 

Fruit are smaller in shade.. It suits hardiness zones 7- 

10. 

Cultivation: It can be grown from seeds or cuttings but often plants of known quality and sex 

are grafted on. It needs a support to climb over. It needs regular pruning because fruit develop 

on the current year's growth. Plants or grafted branches of both sexes are needed. Male and 

female plants must be grown if seed is required. Plants can be grown from seed. Fresh seed 

germinates in 2 - 3 months at 10°C and stored seed can take longer. Seedlings should be 

transplanted out when 30 cm tall and after the last frosts. (Most seedlings are male.) 

Production: Healthy plants can remain productive for 60 years. 

Use: The fruit is eaten fresh. It can also be used in preserves and cooking. 

The leaves can be eaten cooked as an emergency food. 

The fruit is also made into jams and jellies. 




Fruit 

Leaves 

83.1 255 1.0 0.4 18 98 0.2 

Insects: 


Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: It has been introduced to Papua New Guinea on a trial basis.

518 

Names 

English: Broad leafed lillypilly Scientific name: Acmena hemilampra var. hemilampra 

(F. Muell. ex Bailey) Merrill & Perry 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Eugenia hemilampra 


Description: An evergreen tree. It grows to 20 m tall 

and spreads to 5 m wide. The stout stem has buttresses. 

The bark is grey. It has a dense bushy crown. The 

young shoots are dark red. The leaves are dark green 

and like an ellipse. They have a blunt tip. The top side 

of the leaf is glossy, while the underside is dull. There 

are very few oil glands visible. (These leaf 

characteristics help distinguish it from Acmena smithii.) 

The leaves are 4-12 cm long and 3-4 cm wide. The 

edge of the leaf often curves backwards. The flowers 

are small and white and with a fluffy appearance. They 

occur on branched flower stems near the ends of 

branches. The fruit are pale bluish purple berries. 

They are 1-2 cm across. They are globular in shape. 

The fruit stalks are round in cross section. The flesh is 

edible. 

Distribution: It is a tropical and subtropical tree. It occurs naturally in New South Wales and 

Queensland in Australia. It also occurs in Papua New Guinea. It prefers a coastal rainforest 

position with a well composted soil. It is drought and frost tender although established trees can 

survive moderate frosts. It needs watering during dry periods and probably benefits from 

fertiliser. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. 

Cultivation: It is grown from fresh seed. Seeds germinate slowly. It can be grown by tip 

cuttings 10 cm long and taken when growth is slowest. 

Production: Fruit ripen May to August. (January to September). Large fruited forms can be 

selected. 

Use: The fruit are eaten. It makes a good jam. 




Fruit 75.9 1.6 1.5 0.5 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: It is used as a food in Australia, but it is not known if it is used for food in Papua 

New Guinea.

519 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Aceratium oppositifolium D.C. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Elaeocarpus edulis Teysm & Binn. 

Tok ples: Belimbing hutan Plant family: Elaeocarpaceae 

Description: A small tree 3-6 m tall but it can grow up 

to 15 m tall. The tree is very variable in form. It has 

branches which are slender, long and brown. Young 

branches have hairs. Leaves are simple and produced 

opposite one another. The leaves are sword shape but 

slightly curved in the middle and tapering to the tip. It 

has a sharp tip. The edges of the leaves are wavy. The 

leaves have a toothed edge and are green and shiny 

above but with a bluish green covering underneath. 

The leaf blade is 6 cm long by 2.5 cm wide. The leaf 

stalk is 4 mm long. Flowers are yellow. Fruit are 

bright red, fleshy and juicy. The fruit is 3-5 angled, one 

seeded and about 3 cm long by 2 cm wide. The fruit 

stalk is 1 cm long. The seed is 3 sided. 

Distribution: It thrives in shady places. It grows from sea level up to 300-800 m in the tropics. 

It is common on wet soils. It occurs in mountain forest. 

Cultivation: It is grown from seed. 

Production: 

Use: The fruit is eaten. It is acid so is used for jellies or pickles. 



part 

Fruit 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: A minor wild edible fruit. 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

520 

Names 

English: Pineapple guava, Feijoa Scientific name: Acca sellowiana (Berg)Burret 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Feijoa sellowiana (O. Berg) O. Berg. 


Description: A small spreading tree. It can grow to 3-5 

m tall and spread to 5 m wide. The bark is pale grey. 

The branches are swollen at the nodes. The stems are 

thin, flexible and with white felted shoots. The leaves 

are 5-8 cm long with shiny bluish green on the upper 

surface and silver grey underneath. They are thick and 

leathery. The flowers are 2-3 cm across and purple and 

white. They are borne in one or two pairs at the base of 

the current years growth. The fruit is oblong and dull 

green with several small seeds inside. Fruit are 2-9 cm 

long. They can be round or pear shaped. The flesh is 

creamy white. The petals of the flowers are edible. 

The fruit is edible. There are usually 20-40 small seeds 

inside the fruit. 

Distribution: It suits cool places and can tolerate temperatures below freezing when the plant is 

in its dormant stage. It needs good drainage but can grow on fairly poor soils. Feijoas prefer 

cool winters and moderate summers (26°-32°C), and are generally adapted to areas where 

temperatures stay above -9°C. They need 50 hours of chilling for good flower production. Fruit 

taste better in cooler than warmer climate. Plants can tolerate seaside locations. It does best in 

warm and subtropical zones. They are not well suited to tropical regions. It suits hardiness 

zones 8-11. 

Cultivation: Trees can be grown from seed and transplanted. Seedling trees are not always true 

to type. Seed is extracted by squeezing fruit into water and letting it ferment for 4 days. Seeds 

are then strained out and dried. Seed can be stored dry for 12 months. Seeds germinate in 3 

weeks. Grafting or cuttings can also be used with some difficulty. Young wood cuttings will 

root in 2 months with bottom heat and mist. Layering can also be used. Some kinds need to 

have cross pollination to produce fruit. It does not need any special pruning, although lateral 

branches can be removed to avoid overcrowding. A spacing of 2 metres is recommended. 

Production: Plants grow slowly. Trees start to fruit after 3-4 years. Fruit needs to be stored for 

a week or more after it falls from the tree, to become fully ripe. Birds and bees pollinate the 

flowers. Poor fruit bearing is normally the result of poor pollination. Fruit ripen in 4-7 months. 

Mature fruit can be stored in a refrigerator for about one week. Fruit can be stored at 3-5°C for 

2-3 months. Dipping fruit in lemon juice after peeling stops the fruit turning brown. 

Use: The fruit are used raw or cooked. They can be used for jellies and sauces. 

The flower petals can be eaten raw. 




Fruit 

Flower 

86.6 205 1.2 0.1 0 20 0.04 


Importance: Trees have been tried in a few highland areas in Papua New Guinea but so far have 

not established or produced well.

521 

Herbs, Spices and 

flavourings

522 


Marjoram Origanum marjorana 523 

Oregano Origanum vulgare 524 

Sweet basil Ocimum basilicum 525 

Spearmint Mentha spicata 526 

Lemon grass Cymbopogon citratus 527 

Dill Anethum graveolens 528 

Cacao Kakao Theobroma cacao 529 

Chilli, Bird’s eye chilli Sili Capsicum frutescens 530 

Asian pennywort Centella asiatica 531 

Perilla Perilla frutescens 532 

Cardamom Elettaria cardamomum 533 

Native cardamon Golgol, Gorgor Hornstedtia scottiana 534 

Turmeric Curcuma domestica 535 

Coriander Coriandrum sativum 536 

Resurrection lily Kaempferia galanga 537 

Lemon balm Melissa officinalis 538 

Nutmeg & mace Myristica fragrans 539 

Queensland nutmeg Myristica insipida 540 

Myristica schleinitzii 541 

Tamarind Tamarindus indica 542 

Myristica womersleyi 543 

Betel pepper Daka Piper betle 544 

Pepper Piper nigrum 545 

Thyme Thymus vulgaris 546 

Vanilla Vanilla planifolia 547 

Ginger Zingiber officinale 548 

Wild ginger Zingiber zerumbet 550

523 

Names 

English: Marjoram Scientific name: Origanum marjorana L. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Marjorana hortensis Moench 

Tok ples: Plant family: Lamiaceae 

Description: An annual bushy plant up to 40-60 cm 

high. It can keep growing from year to year. It has a 

strong smell. It has small grey green leaves on tough 

woody stems. The leaves are oval and entire. They are 

2.5 cm long. It has knotted flower heads with white, 

pink or purple flowers. 

Distribution: It is suited to highland areas in the 

tropics. It is sensitive to frost. It needs a sunny 

position. It suits hardiness zones 7-10. 

Cultivation: Plants are mostly grown from seeds. 

Production: 

Use: The sweet spicy leaves are used to flavour meat dishes. 

Leaves are used to tea. 




Leaves dry 7.6 1136 12.7 82.7 807 51.4 3.6 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: Only an occasional food plant in Papua New Guinea.

524 

Names 

English: Oregano Scientific name: Origanum vulgare L. 



Description: A creeping plant. It is a leafy bush with 

creeping roots. It grows to about 1 m high. It has small 

dark green leaves and red-brown stems. The leaves are 

1-3 cm long by 0.5-1.5 cm wide. They are broadly 

oval. It has purple or pink flowers. They occur in 4 

sided spikes. It has a smell like thyme. 

Distribution: It can be grown from seed, cuttings or 

division of established plants. In China it grows 

between 500 and 3600 m altitude. It suits hardiness 

zones 5-9. 


Production: 

Use: The leaves and flowers are used to flavour food. 

The leaves and seeds are pickled. 




Leaves dry 

Seeds 

7.2 1280 11.0 44.0 690 50.0 4.4 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: Only an occasional food plant in Papua New Guinea.

525 

Names 

English: Sweet basil Scientific name: Ocimum basilicum L. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Ocimum americanum Jascq. 


Description: An erect branched woody shrub. The 

branches are without hairs and smooth. The leaves are 

without hair and oblong with a more narrow tip and 

blunt base. The base of the stems is tinged red. The 

leaf stalk is 1.5 cm long. The leaf blade is 2.5-5 cm 

long by 1-2.5 cm wide. The flowers are somewhat 

purplish with very short stalks. The small nuts are oval 

and slightly flattened. They are smooth. Plants vary a 

lot and several varieties have been selected. They can 

have licorice, cinnamon or lemon flavours and vary in 

size. 

Distribution: Found at low and medium altitudes 

throughout the Islands of the Philippines. It suits both 

the lowlands and the highlands in the tropics. It cannot 

stand frost. It suits warm and hot climates. It needs 

some shade in tropical areas. It needs protection from 

wind. It needs rich moist well drained soil. Soil should 

be at 25°-30°C for seed to germinate. It suits hardiness 

zones 10-12. 

Cultivation: It is grown from seed. Seed should be sown 2-3 mm deep and covered with a light 

sand or soil. Seed germinate within 3-5 days. Seedlings are thinned out to 20 cm apart. 

Seedlings can be transplanted. If top shoots are picked off, a more bushy plant is produced and 

flowering is delayed. 

Production: 

Use: The seeds are soaked in water and eaten. 

The leaves are used raw or boiled to flavour foods. 

It yields an oil used in flavouring. It flavours sauces, pickles, meats and confectionary. 




Leaves 91.0 113 2.5 3.2 386 18.0 0.9 

Seed 6.4 1051 14.4 42.0 938 61.2 5.8 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: Only a minor plant in Papua New Guinea.

526 

Names 

English: Spearmint Scientific name: Mentha spicata L. 



Description: A creeping leafy herb with numerous long 

runners. It has underground stems. It grows to 50 cm 

high. The leaves have a strong smell. The plant tends 

to be stiff and upright with long narrow pointed leaves. 

The leaves have short stalks. The leaves are 2-3.5 cm 

long by 1.5-2.5 cm wide. They have teeth long the 

edge. It has pink flowers at the top. They occur in a 

ring of many flowers and small brown seeds. 

Distribution: In the tropics it mainly occurs in the 

highlands. It suits damp ground. In Nepal it grows to 

about 2500 m altitude. It grows in moist, open places. 


Cultivation: Plants are easily grown by using runners or rooted cuttings. They can be grown 

from seed. 

Production: 

Use: The leaves are used for flavouring food. 

They are also pickled. 

The essential oil is used for flavouring. 




Leaves 85.6 184 3.3 11.9 405 13.3 1.1 

Leaves dry 11.3 1192 19.9 87.5 1058 0 2.4 

Insects: 


Diseases: 

Rust Fungus 

Pests: 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea it can fairly commonly be seen near highland villages and 

gardens.

527 

Names 

English: Lemon grass Scientific name: Cymbopogon citratus (Nees)Stapf. 



Description: A coarse clumpy grass about 1 m 

high. It forms dense tufts and clumps. The 

stem and hollow and cane like. The leaves 

have a rough edge and are about 1 m long by 1 

cm wide. They curve over. They are pale 

blue-green. It very rarely produces flowers. 

When flowers are produced they are in a loose 

branched panicle. These are 5 cm long. It has 

a lemon smell when crushed. 

Distribution: It is a tropical and subtropical 

plant. It occurs in coastal areas and up to at 

least 1400 m altitude. 

It is a good plant for borders and erosion control. They are frost tender. It needs a temperature 

above 10°C to grow. It needs good drainage. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. 

Cultivation: It is grown from portions of the clump. A spacing of about 1 m between clumps is 

needed. Plants can be easily grown by putting the stem end of a shoot in water until roots form 

then planting out. 

Production: It can be cut 4-8 months after planting and then every 3-4 months. Harvesting can 

continue to 3-4 years. 

Use: It is mostly used as a flavouring in lemon grass tea and stews. The leaves can be dried and 

stored for use in tea. 

The very young fleshy white bases of the shoots are used in Asian cooking. The outer layers are 

peeled off. 



part 

Leaves 

Shoots 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Diseases: 

Rust Fungus Puccinia nakanishikii Diet 

Pests: 

Importance: Common and popular in many areas of Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

528 

Names 

English: Dill Scientific name: Anethum graveolens L. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Peucedanum graveolens (L.)Hiern. 


Description: A fine leafy herb up to about 1 m tall. It 

can spread 50 cm across. It is an annual plant 

regrowing each year from seeds. The root is long and 

wiry. The stems of the plant are smooth, dark green 

and with pale stripes. They are finely grooved and 

hollow. The leaves are bluish-green and fern like. 

They can be 35 cm long. The leaves are twice divided 

and have a sheath wrapping around the stem at the 

base. The small leaflets are like threads. Flowers are 

yellow and in flat compound arrangements where 

flowers are on stalks coming from one point. These 

flower arrangements can be 9 cm across. The fruit are 

oval one seeded dry ribbed fruits. Plants have an 

aniseed scent. The fruit are 1.5 times as long as wide. 

Distribution: It is a temperate plant. It is suited to shady places but does best in sunny positions. 

It is easily damaged by wind. It is frost resistant but drought tender. It needs moist, well 

drained, humus rich soil. It suits hardiness zones 8-10. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. They are not easily transplanted. Seed are therefore 

best sown where they are to grow. Seed should be 1 cm deep and with 25 cm between plants. 

(Dill and fennel can cross pollinate.) 

Production: Plants are fast growing. The leaves can be cut for use at any time, but they are at 

their best just before flowering. Plants can be cut 6 weeks after planting. Seeds are harvested 

when the plants are mature and have finished flowering and the fruits are fully formed. 

Harvesting during the cool of morning or evening avoids seeds being shattered and lost. 

Use: The seeds are used to flavour foods. They are added to pickles. 

The young leaves can be eaten. They have an aniseed flavour and are used in soups, salads, 

sauces, and with vegetables. 

It is one of the main ingredients in curry powder. 



part 

Seeds 

Leaves 

% KJ g 

Diseases: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Insects: 


Pests: 

Importance: It is sold in markets. In Papua New Guinea not yet widely grown or used. 

Zinc 

mg

529 

Names 

English: Cacao Scientific name: Theobroma cacao L. 

Tok pisin: Kakao Synonyms: 

Tok ples: Plant family: Sterculiaceae/ Malvaceae 

Description: A small evergreen tree. It grows to 15 m 

tall. Often it is pruned to be only 6 m tall. The trunk is 

straight for about 90-159 cm above the ground then a 

fan arrangement of branches develops. The leaves are 

large and simple. They are in a spiral arrangement 

around the branch. They are 17-30 cm long and hang 

down. They are red brown when young. The leaves 

are wider towards the pointed tip. The leaves are thin 

but leathery with prominent veins. The flowers are on 

short shoots like cushions on the trunk and woody 

branches. The flowers are small, yellow-white and 

about 1 cm across. A ribbed pod develops. The pods 

are large about 15-20 cm long by 10 cm across. They 

are green when young but become yellow or red. The 

pods have rows of seeds. There are 20-50 oval seeds. 

These are white at first then become red-brown as they 

ripen. There is a sweet pulp surrounding the seeds. 

Distribution: It is native from Mexico to Central America. A tropical plant. It grows in 

lowland areas with a rainfall around 2,000 mm annually. It can grow in areas with rainfall 

between 1,200 and 7,000 mm. Plants do best in acid or neutral soil which is well drained. It has 

a long tap root which will not develop on rocky or hard soil. Cocoa does not do well on windy 

sites where there are sudden fluctuations of humidity. Shade trees help provide these conditions. 

It needs temperatures above 20°C. It suits hardiness zones 11-12. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. Seed can be sown in pots in a nursery then 

transplanted or can be sown directly. Seedlings need shade. Plants can also be grown from 

cuttings. Cuttings from side branches are used. Cuttings are normally raised in a nursery. Seeds 

should be removed from the pod and dried but should not be stored for more than 3 months. 

Plants should be spaced 3 m apart. Plants can be pruned. Flowers are pollinated by insects. 

Production: Some seedling varieties produce within 3-5 years. They continue to produce for 50 

years. Fruits mature after 6 months. Seeds are fermented for 1 week and the temperature should 

not go above 50°C but once the temperature has come down to 35°C they can be sun dried. 

During drying the moisture content reduces from 50-60% to 6% over about one week. 

Use: The seeds are eaten. The seeds are also processed and used for chocolate. The seeds are 

fermented for 6 days to remove the flesh then washed and dried. 

The pulp in the pod is edible when ripe. 

Food Value: 



Seeds 

Pulp 

3.6 1908 12.0 3.6 15 3 

Insects: See other publications 

Diseases: See other publications 

Pests: 

Importance: An important cash crop in Papua New Guinea but rarely used as food. 

Zinc 

mg

530 

Names 

English: Chilli, Bird's eye chillies Scientific name: Capsicum frutescens L. 

Tok pisin: Sili Synonyms: 


Description: It is a shrubby perennial plant about 1 m 

tall. The leaves are smaller than round capsicums or 

bell peppers. Two or more flowers occur together in 

the axils of leaves. They have small pointed fruit about 

1-2 cm long and they are red when ripe. They have a 

very hot taste when eaten or touched on the lips. 

Distribution: The plants grow from sea level up to 

about 1800 m altitude in the equatorial tropics. They 

can't stand water-logging or frost. They are tolerant to 

high temperatures and a wide range of rainfall. 

Very high rainfall leads to poor fruit set and rotting of fruit. Soil needs to be well drained and 

preferably fertile with adequate organic material. Light loamy soils rich in lime are best. It suits 


Cultivation: The seeds are dried in the sun. They are small. For large scale plantings, 1.8-2.3 

kg per ha of seed are needed. Seed is best sown in nurseries and the seedlings transplanted when 

they have 4-5 leaves. (After 3-4 weeks). They can be transplanted at about 0.8 m spacing. 

Pruning out the tops can increase branching. This is often done 10 days before transplanting. 

Excessive nitrogen can reduce fruit setting. 

Production: The first picking of fruit can occur 3 months after planting and continue about 

every two weeks. Plants continue to be harvested for about 4-5 years before replanting. For 

dried chillies, the fruit are dried in the sun for 3-15 days. The fresh weight is reduced by about 

two thirds during drying. Yields of dry chillies can be from 300 kg to 2500 kg per hectare 

depending on growing conditions, irrigation etc. 

Use: The leaves are eaten cooked. The fruit can be used in very small quantities to spice food. 

The small red fruit are very hot to eat due to a chemical called capsaicin. They are therefore 

used to add spice and flavour to other foods. 



% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit 

A 

µg 

proVit 

C 

mg 

Leaves 

Fruit spice 74.0 395 4.1 2.9 7140 121 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: Chillies are a common and popular leafy green in lowland areas in Papua New 

Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

531 

Names 

English: Asian pennywort Scientific name: Centella asiatica (L.)Urban 



Description: A slender perennial plant with creeping 

stems which root at the nodes. It grows to 10 cm high 

and spreads to 50 cm across. The stems are creeping 

and form roots at the nodes. Groups of leaves develop 

in clumps at the nodes. Leaves are round or heart 

shaped with a wavy edge. The edge has teeth or 

indentations along it. The leaves can be 8 cm across, 

when grown in shady places. The leaves have 7-9 

forked veins. The leaf stalks are 6-15 cm long. The 

stems and flowers are dull red or pink. The flowers are 

small and occur in small clusters. The fruit is round but 

flattened. It is very small and 2 mm across. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. It is a ground cover plant in old gardens, in light rainforest. It 

grows best in sunny, moist, fertile places. In Papua New Guinea it grows mostly up to about 500 

m altitude but will probably grow up to 2500 m. It is drought and frost tender. In Nepal it grows 

to about 2800 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 9-12. 

Cultivation: New plants can be produced by seeds or by runners. Mostly plants grow and 

spread naturally. Cuttings or runners are the easiest way to grow the plants. 

Production: 

Use: The whole plant is eaten raw or cooked. 

The plant is also used for medicine. 

The leaves are made into tea. 




Leaves 89.3 143 3.2 3.1 37 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: A minor edible green only occasionally eaten in a few coastal areas in Papua New 

Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

532 

Names 

English: Perilla Scientific name: Perilla frutescens (L.)Britt 



Description: An erect herb. It regrows each 

year. It grows from 30 cm to 2 m tall. Plants 

can be green or purple. The leaf stalk is 3-5 

cm long. The leaves are oval and 4.5-10 cm 

long by 2.8-10 cm wide. It is toothed along 

the edge. Leaves are hairy on both surfaces. 

The flowers are white. They are in equal 

stalked flower clusters either in the axils of 

leaves or at the ends of branches. The fruit is a 

1-seeded nutlet. 

Distribution: Plants are frost tender. In Nepal 

they grow between 600-2400 m altitude. It 

needs rich, well-drained soil and full sun. It 

suits hardiness zone 8-11. 

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. The seed need to be cooled to 5°C for 3 days before 

planting. Seed need light to germinate. Plants should be spaced about 30 cm apart. 

Production: 

Use: The young leaves, flowers and seeds are eaten. They can be dried and used later. They are 

also used for flavouring. 

The young cotyledons are sprouted and eaten. 

The roasted seeds are pickled. 

The seed oil is used as an ingredient in cooking. 


Edible 

part 

Leaves 

Flowers 

Seeds 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: A recently introduced plant and probably only used in small amounts. 

Zinc 

mg

533 

Names 

English: Cardamom Scientific name: Elettaria cardamomum (L.)Maton 


Tok ples: Plant family: Zingiberaceae 

Description: A ginger like plant. It keeps growing from year to year. 

It grows to 3 m high and spreads to 1 m across. It has a clump of 

leafy aerial stems and then thick fleshy underground stems. The 

leaves are long and can be 1 m x 30 cm. They are dark green and 

alternate. The leaves are paler and softly hairy underneath. The 

flowers are green and white and produced on a branched flower stalk 

near the ground. The flowers have a violet tip. Seed capsules with 

several wrinkled seeds develop. The capsule has 3 cells. They are 

pale green and have a sweet smell. 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant. It grows from sea level up to about 

1200 m altitude in the tropics. It prefers warm, rich, moist soils. It 

needs a protected and partly shaded position. It is drought and frost 

tender. Seed need a temperature between 19 and 24°C to grow. 

Plants need a temperature above 10°C. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. 

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed. It is normally grown under the shade of the 

primary rainforest. Seeds are slow to germinate. It can be grown from slips of plants. 

Production: The capsules are harvested when they are almost ripe but before they turn yellow. 

They are then dried in a warmed and ventilated shed. 

Use: The seeds are used as a flavouring. They are used in biscuits and cakes. It is also used in 

curries and added to coffee. 




Seeds 8.3 1303 10.8 14.0 0 21.0 7.5 

Diseases: 

Insects: 

Abroma sp. Cicadidae (HOM) 

Actinus imperialis Fauvel Staphylinidae (COL) 

Aphodius lividus Olivier Scarabaeidae (COL) 

Calliphara dimidiata Dallas Scutelleridae (HET) 

Chauliognathus papuanus Bourgeois Cantharidae (COL) 

Cladophorus ornatus Waterhouse Lycidae (COL) 

Cyphagogus splendens Kleine Brenthidae (COL) 

Ganae pulchella Pascoe Curculionidae (COL) 

Glenea papuensis Gahan Cerambycidae (COL) 

Glyptoporopterus sharpi Faust Curculionidae (COL) 

Leiochrinus fulvicollis Westw. Tenebrionidae (COL) 

Menesesiella weylandi occulta Rehn. Pyrgomorphidae (ORTH) 

Onthophagus iris Sharp Copridae (COL) 

Ragwelellus horvathi Poppius Miridae (HEM) Cardamom mirid 

Rhyparida sovria Gress. Chrysomelidae (COL) 

Stenoxyphus aurantiacus Karasch. Pyrgomorphidae (ORTH) 

Pests: 

Importance: It is being grown commercially in some lowland areas of Papua New Guinea.

534 

Names 

English: Native cardamon Scientific name: Hornstedtia scottiana (F.Muell) Retz. 

Tok pisin: Golgol, Gorgor Synonyms: Elettaria scottiana F.Muell. 


Description: A perennial ginger family plant. The 

stalks reach up to 1.5-4 m high and have a swollen 

base. The leaves occur one after another in two rows 

along the main stem. The leaf blade is 60 cm long and 

12 cm wide. The edges of the leaves are softly hairy. 

The leaf sheath on the stem is about 13 cm long. The 

leaves are shiny and smooth on top and dull 

underneath. The midrib has a dent inwards on the top 

surface and the veins go off at 30° angles. The flower 

is a cone like structure up to 12 cm high at the base of 

the plant. The flower grows without a stalk and near 

ground level. The flowers are white and the flower has 

overlapping bracts. The outside of the lower bracts is 

red. The seeds are 2 mm across and they are grouped 

inside casings of the cone. The red bracts hide these 

casings. The pulp around the seeds is edible. 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant. A rainforest species. It is common in the lowland rainforest 

in the tropics. It is very frost tender. 

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed or by division of the rhizome. 

Production: The flower can be broken off the underground stem or rhizome and the seeds and 

sap are sweet and cardamom like. 

Use: The seeds are edible. 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Fruit 42.0 912 4.0 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Importance: A common plant in lowland regions and occasionally sucked for the sweet sap. 

Zinc 

mg

535 

Names 

English: Turmeric Scientific name: Curcuma domestica Val 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Curcuma longa Koenig non L. 


Description: A herb in the ginger family which continues 

growing from year to year. For harvesting it is grown as 

an annual crop. It grows up to 1 m high and spreads to 50 

cm across. The stem is erect. Under the ground it has 

bright orange fattened stem or rhizome. These have a 

sweet smell. The main fattened part is about 5-8 cm long 

by 1-5 cm across. It has thinner branches off it. These are 

thickened with secondary tubers. The leaves are in a 

cluster and have leaf stalks that clasp the stem. The leaves 

are sword shaped and have long leaf stalks. Leaves are 

long, flat and bright green. The flowers are dull yellow. 

They occur in clusters of 3-5. Normally the cultivated 

turmeric is a sterile triploid plant that does not bear fruit. 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant. It is widespread in 

coastal areas up to 1000 m altitude in the Philippines. It 

needs a hot moist climate and a well drained soil. The soil 

needs to be loose for good rhizomes. Plants can grow in 

the shade but the yield is lower. Plants are drought and 

frost tender. It suits hardiness zones 10-11. 

Cultivation: Plants are normally grown from pieces of the rhizome. Pieces with one or two 

buds are used. Larger side tubers are best. They are planted 6-8 cm deep. The distance between 

plants needs to be 30-40 cm. They can also be grown from seed where these occur. The roots 

are harvested as the leaves start to die back. 

Production: Leaves appear above ground in about 4 weeks. The crop is harvested in about 9-10 

months when the lower leaves turn yellow. When the roots are harvested they are put in boiling 

water for an hour. This assists drying and avoids sprouting. They are then dried in the sun. The 

outer layer is removed by rubbing. 

Use: The orange coloured rhizome is used as seasoning especially in curry. They are also used 

for food colouring. They can be used fresh or boiled and dried. 

The young shoots are also eaten. 




Rhizome dry 

Shoots 

11.4 1481 7.8 41.4 0 25.9 4.4 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: An important spice in rice eating cultures. It is rarely used as food in Papua New 

Guinea although some is grown commercially. It is used to dye “bilums”.

536 

Names 

English: Coriander Scientific name: Coriandrum sativum L. 



Description: An annual herb up to 70 cm high. It spreads 

to 50 cm across. It has a fleshy taproot. The stem is erect 

and finely grooved. The leaves are compound, and 

divided along their length. The lower leaves have lobes, 

while the upper leaves are finely divided. The leaves are 

bright green, and glossy. Flowers are pink to white. They 

occur in flat arrangements, with stalks coming from the 

same point. The plant has an unpleasant smell until the 

fruit ripens. The fruit are pale brown. The fruit have lines 

along them. Some lines are wavy and some are straight. 

Distribution: A Mediterranean plant. Sometimes it does 

not set seed in the lowland tropics. It grows up to about 

2200 m altitude in the tropics. It prefers light to medium, 

well-drained soils. It suits an open sunny position. It is 

drought and frost tender. In Nepal it grows to 3000 m 



Production: Plants mature after about 3 months. It is important to dry the fruit before use, to get 

rid of an unpleasant smell. 

Use: The dried fruit are used in curry and flavourings. 

The young plants and leaves are used in soups, sauces and as flavourings. 

The root is also crushed and used as a seasoning. 




Seeds 11.0 1218 14.0 18.0 300 21 4.7 

Leaves 92.8 84 2.4 2.0 613 11 0.5 

Leaves dry 

Root 

7.3 1167 21.9 42.5 585 567 4.7 

Insects: 


Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: One of the world's most commonly used herbs and spices. It is probably not grown 

or used a lot in Papua New Guinea.

537 

Names 

English: Resurrection lily Scientific name: Kaempferia galanga L. 



Description: A slow growing perennial herb. It grows 

15 cm high. The rhizome has tuberous roots. They are 

fleshy. The rhizome is much branched crowded, 

tuberous and aromatic. The rhizomes are pale green or 

greenish white inside. The leaves have a mild smell 

like liquorice. It usually has two leaves pressed flat 

against the soil. The leaves are broadly oval. They are 

7-20 cm long by 3-17 cm wide. They are green but 

often have a red upper edge. The flowers occur at the 

end of the shoot. The flower bracts can be 4 cm long 

and 1 cm wide. Each bract surrounds one flower. The 

flowers have a 4.5-5 cm long corolla tube and narrow 

lobes. Flowers are 2.5 cm long and are white. There 

are 2 varieties described based on the size of the leaves. 

Distribution: It grows in open areas in S China. 

Cultivation: It is grown from tuber cuttings. 

Production: 

Use: The rhizomes and leaves are eaten as a condiment. The rhizomes are dried and pounded. 

They are used in fish curries and also served as a raw vegetable. 

They are used to flavour rice. 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Rhizome 

Leaves 91.1 97 2.5 11 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: It is widely cultivated in SE Asia. It is sold in markets. It is probably not widely 

used in Papua New Guinea. 

Zinc 

mg

538 

Names 

English: Lemon balm Scientific name: Melissa officinalis L. 



Description: A vigorous herb up to 0.5-1.2 m high. It 

spreads to 30-45 cm wide. Plants keep growing from 

year to year. The stems are erect, square shaped, 

branching and hairy. The leaves are produced opposite 

one another and are oval. The leaves are wrinkled and 

toothed at the edge. They are 7 cm long. The leaves 

have a lemon smell when crushed. The leaf stalk is 

long. The flowers are small and whitish yellow. These 

are produced on long loose clusters. The flowers are in 

the axils of leaves. The fruit is made up of 4 oval 

nutlets. 

Distribution: It does best on light, well-drained soils. 

It needs an open sunny position but can grow in light 

shade. It can tolerate drought and frost. It benefits 

from well composted soil. It grows in Europe up to 60° 

north. In the tropics it is grown in mountainous 

regions. It suits plant hardiness zones 5-9. 

Cultivation: It can be grown from seeds or division of the root. Seed are slow to start growing. 

It can also be grown by tip cuttings which are put into water to form roots. The flowers should 

be picked off. Plants can be cut back to near ground level and allowed to regrow. 

Production: It is best used fresh. 

Use: The lemon flavoured leaves are used for drinks or flavouring foods and is used either raw 

or cooked. 

It is also used to flavour liqueurs. 

It is added to meat and vegetable dishes. 



part 

Leaves 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea it occurs in some highland gardens. 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

539 

Names 

English: Nutmeg and mace Scientific name: Myristica fragrans Houtt. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Myristica officinalis L. f. 


Description: An evergreen tree. It grows up to 10-23 m 

tall. The bark is light brown. Leaves are simple, 

pointed and dark green on top. They are pale green 

underneath. They are 12 cm long. Male and female 

flowers are separate but often on the same tree. Fruit 

occur on female and bisexual trees. The flowers are 

small and yellow and 1 cm across. They do not have 

petals. The sepals are cup shaped and 2-3 lobed. The 

fruit are round, about 5-6 cm across and yellow when 

ripe. When the fruit is ripe it splits into two halves. All 

parts of the tree when bruised have a smell of nutmeg. 

The seed is used as nutmeg while the red seed coat is 

dried and ground to produce mace. 

Distribution: It is native to Maluku in Indonesia. 

Tropical. It suits tropical humid places and needs a 

fertile well drained soil. It grows in lowland areas and 

needs protection from wind. It cannot tolerate drought. 


Cultivation: Trees are normally grown from seed. Seeds are slow growing. They can take 30 

months to germinate. Plants can also be grown by cuttings and grafting. A spacing of 9 m apart 

is suitable. A ratio of a male tree to 10 female trees is used. Extra male trees are removed. 

Production: Seeds take 3 months to germinate. Trees begin producing after 5-7 years. Trees 

can keep producing for 40 years. The mace is peeled away from the nutmeg and dried. When 

the nutmeg is dry it rattles. 

Use: The seed is used for the spice called nutmeg. 

The red layer (aril) around the seed produces the spice called mace. 

The outer shell of the fruit is sliced, cooked and crystallised to make a candy. It is also used for 

pickles. 

Caution: The oil in the seed contains a poisonous drug called myristicin. 

Food Value: Per 100 g edible portion (These would be poisonous in large amounts) 



Aril - mace 8.2 1989 6.7 11.9 80 21.0 2.3 

Nut - nutmeg 

Fruit 

6.23 2196 36.3 3.0 10 3.0 2.2 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: Occasional trees have been planted in Papua New Guinea.

540 

Names 

English: Queensland Nutmeg Scientific name: Myristica insipida R. Br. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Myristica muelleri 


Description: A large spreading tree. It grows 10-20 m 

high. The branches spread out horizontally. The bark 

is tight, rough and grey-brown. The leaves are alternate 

and smooth. They are leathery and oval. They are 10- 

21 cm long by 4-8 cm wide. They are dark and glossy 

green on top. Underneath the leaf is paler and the 

midrib is raised. The tip is pointed and the leaf stalk is 

short and thick. The trees are separately male and 

female. The male flowers are small and cream. They 

occur in clusters in the axils of leaves. Female flowers 

are in smaller clusters. The fruit is oblong and smooth. 

The skin is thick and leathery. They are about 3-4 cm 

long by 1.5-2 cm wide. They are a dull yellow when 

ripe. They enclose a single large seed wrapped in a 

bright red, thread like aril. 

Distribution: Tropical. It grows in coastal areas on 

sand dunes. They can be in lowland forest near 

permanent water. It needs good drainage. 

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from fresh seed. They can also be grown from cuttings. 

Production: It is slow growing. In Australia, plants flower from February to March and fruit 

from September to December. 

Use: The seeds can be used as a nutmeg substitute. 




Seeds 48.5 1250 4.3 100 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: 

Zinc 

mg

541 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Myristica schleinitzii Engl. 


Tok ples: Uskeke Plant family: Myristicaceae 

Description: A medium sized tree. It grows to 15 m 

tall. Sometimes it has stilt roots. The twigs are slender 

and smooth. The leaf is oval and 8-32 cm long by 5-12 

cm wide. The base of the leaf if often rounded or heart 

shaped. The midrib and veins are sunken in the top 

surface of the leaf and raised underneath the leaf. The 

leaf stalk is 1-2 cm long. The male and female flowers 

are separate on the same tree. The male flower cluster 

is 5-7 cm long. The female flower cluster has fewer 

and shorter branches than the male. The fruit are oval 

and 3.5 cm long by 1.5 cm wide. They are yellow. The 

base of the fruit is narrowed into a false stalk 3-4 mm 

long. The fruit stalk is slender and 2-2.5 cm long. The 

seed is 3 cm long by 1 cm wide. It is covered with a 

red aril. It is divided irregularly. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. It grows naturally near 

the coast. It is often growing on coral rocks. 

Cultivation: 

Production: 

Use: The fruit have been recorded as being used as a spice. 


Edible 

part 

Fruit 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Importance: A minor food in Papua New Guinea. 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

542 

Names 

English: Tamarind Scientific name: Tamarindus indica L. 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Tamarindus officinalis Hook 

Tok ples: Plant family: Fabaceae/Caesalpinoideae 

Description: A large spreading tree up to 24 m tall. It has a 

broad dense evergreen crown. In dry areas the tree can lose 

its leaves. The trunk can be 1 m across. The bark is rough 

and grey with a checkered pattern. The leaves are carried one 

after another along the branch. The whole leaf is 6-12 cm 

long and it is divided into 10-17 pairs of leaflets. These are 

oblong and without stalks. The whole leaf has a leaf stalk 

about 15 cm long. The leaflets are 1-2.5 cm long and 4 9 mm 

wide. They are a dull dark green and with a rounded tip. The 

flowers are pale yellow with brown markings. The flowers 

are about 2.5 cm across and hang on long many flowered 

stalks. The fruit is an oblong thin skinned fleshy capsule. 

The brown seeds are inside this long rough surfaced, sausagelike 

fruit. This pod is 6-8 cm long and about 2 cm wide and 

contracted between the seeds. The pod cracks when mature. 

It is a legume. The pulp is date like and reddish brown. The 

seeds are shiny and hard. The pulp of the pods is edible. 

Distribution: A tropical plant. The tree is cultivated in a number of coastal towns in the tropics 

as a street tree. It is probably best grown below 800 m altitude in the tropics. It is drought 

resistant. It cannot stand waterlogging. It does well on coastal dunes above high water level. It 

suits semi-arid areas. It must be in frost free locations. In Nepal it grows up to about 1200 m 


Cultivation: It can be grown by seeds or cuttings. It is best to sow seedlings in pots then 

transplant them but seed can be sown direct. There are about 1400 seeds per kg. Seed should be 

soaked in hot water or the seed coat nicked before sowing. Seed can be stored for 2 years if kept 

dry, cool and away from insects. Trees can be topped or cut back and allowed to regrow. 

Nothing grows under the trees due to the acidity of the leaves. 

Production: It grows very slowly. Trees are long lived. Fruiting is seasonal. The season tends 

to be April to June. It is about 8-9 months from flowering to ripe fruit. 

Use: The pulp of the fruit is edible. It is also used for drinks. 

The seeds are also edible, cooked. They can be roasted and ground into flour. The outer skin is 

removed. The young leaves, flowers and young pods are also edible. They are eaten in curries. 

They are used to make dishes acid. They are used in sauces and chutneys. 




Fruit pulp 

Seeds 

Pods 

Leaves 

Flowers 

38.7 995 2.3 1.1 20 3 0.7 


Importance: The fruit are sold in markets. In Papua New Guinea only occasionally seen and at 

present little used.

543 

Names 

English: Scientific name: Myristica womersleyi J. Sinclair 



Description: A tree. It grows up to 27 m tall. It has a 

rusty covering on the twigs. The leaves are oblong and 

14-20 cm long by 6-9 cm wide. They have brown hairs 

underneath. The leaf stalk is 1.3 cm long. The fruit is 

round and 6-9 cm across. It has brown hairs. The seed 

is round and 5 cm across. It has a strong smell. 

Distribution: It grows in Papua New Guinea between 

800-2300 m altitude. 

Cultivation: 

Production: 

Use: 


Edible 

part 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Importance: The nut has possible uses as a spice. 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Zinc 

mg

544 

Names 

English: Betel pepper Scientific name: Piper betle L. 

Tok pisin: Daka Synonyms: 

Tok ples: Plant family: Piperaceae 

Description: A woody vine which attaches to trees by 

roots at the nodes on the main vine. The stems are 2.5- 

5 mm thick. The leaf stalk is 2-5 cm long. It has a fine 

powdery covering. The leaves can be 7-15 cm long and 

5-11 cm wide. The leaves are papery or slightly 

leathery. The flowers are separately male and female. 

Male spikes are thinner and longer than female. The 

spikes droop. The fruit is composed of fused parts 

making a compound fruit. 

Distribution: It occurs in the lowlands and up to about 

700 m altitude. It needs a reasonably good rainfall. It 


Cultivation: Plants are grown from cuttings of the main vine. It also grows wild. It needs stakes 

or a tree to climb. Fruiting branches can be increased by pruning. 

Production: Plants can last for 10-12 years. 

Use: It is used as a masticatory with betel nut. The leaves and /or fruit are used. 


Edible 

part 

Fruit 

Leaves 

Insects: 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Diseases: 

A diffuse black spot Fungus Myrothecium roridum Tode ex Fr. 

Mosaic Possibly due to a virus 

Pests: 

Importance: A common and important condiment in the lowlands of Papua New Guinea and the 

SE Asian region. 

Zinc 

mg

545 

Names 

English: Pepper Scientific name: Piper nigrum L. 


Tok ples: Plant family: Piperaceae 

Description: A climbing, green, leafy vine. It is woody. 

The nodes are enlarged. The plant has roots on the 

main stem which attach to tree trunks. The vines can 

be 8-10 m long. The leaf stalk is 1-2 cm long. The leaf 

blade is oval and 10-15 cm long by 5-9 cm wide. It is 

thick and leathery. The base is rounded and it tapers to 

a short tip. The flowers are usually of one sex but 

many flowers occur together. The spikes are opposite 

the leaves. The spikes are 3-3.5 cm long by 0.8 mm 

wide. They can be 10 cm long. It has clusters of 

berries on the side branches. The berries are red when 

ripe. They are 3-4 mm across. 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant. It grows from sea 

level up to at least 1100 m altitude in equatorial places. 

It suits areas with a temperature between 24° and 26°C. 

It cannot tolerate frost. It likes high humidity and shade. It does best with a rainfall between 

1200 and 2500 mm per year. It has been planted in commercial stands in a few coastal areas of 

Papua New Guinea. It originally came from the tropics of India. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. 

Cultivation: Plants are normally grown from cuttings of the main (rooted) vine. Pruning of the 

tips can increase branch formation on which berries are produced. It needs a support to climb. 

Production: Berries dried with the skin give white pepper. Berries where the skin is soaked off 

produce black pepper. To do these they are soaked in water for a few days. Plants produce in 

the third year. They can continue producing for 20 years. Flowering normally follows rain. 

Fruit ripen after 3-4 months. 

Use: The berries are used as a spice. 

The dried fruit are used as pepper. Black pepper is dried with the skin on and white pepper has 

the skin soaked off and removed before drying. Immature green berries are sold in brine or 

dried. 



% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Seeds white 11.4 1238 10.4 14.3 0 21.0 1.1 

Seeds black 10.5 1067 11.0 28.9 19 21.0 1.4 

Insects: 

Antestiopsis semiviridis (Walker) Pentatomidae (HEM) Variegated bugs 

Nesocypselas piperica (HEM) Pepper bug 

Valanga sp. Acrididae (ORTH) Grasshopper 

Diseases: 

Leaf blotch Fungus Colletotrichum piperis Petch 


Pests: 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea it is becoming of some importance as a cash crop but is little 

used locally as a spice. 

Zinc 

mg

546 

Names 

English: Thyme Scientific name: Thymus vulgaris L. 



Description: A low shrub. It grows to 20 cm tall and 

spreads to 30 cm across. It forms a bushy cushion. It 

keeps growing from year to year. It is an evergreen 

with woody grey roots. The branches are square in 

cross section and hairy. The leaves are very small and 

greenish grey. They do not have leaf stalks and are 

produced opposite one another. The leaves are 0.6-1.5 

cm long. The edges of the leaves curl backwards and 

the underside of the leaves is very hairy. The flowers 

are pale mauve or purple. They form tubes with two 

lips. The flowers occur in rings towards the end of the 

branches. The plant has a sweet smell. 

Distribution: A Mediterranean plant. It does best in 

dry arid places. Plants are occasional in the highlands 

in the tropics. They grow up to 2600 m altitude. It will 

grow on most soils and in most locations. It is resistant 

to drought and frost. They need sun. It suits plant 


Cultivation: It can be grown from seeds or by cuttings or by dividing up an established plant. 

Cutting tips off plants often will encourage a bushy growth. 

Production: The leaves are used as a seasoning and dried and stored. They are dried in the 

shade with warmth and low humidity. 

Use: The leaves and flowers are used as a seasoning to flavour foods. 




Leaves fresh 65.1 423 5.6 17.5 475 160.0 1.8 

Leaves dry 7.8 1156 9.1 123.6 380 50.0 6.2 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: It occurs in some highland gardens but is not yet widely used.

547 

Names 

English: Vanilla Scientific name: Vanilla planifolia Andrews 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Vanilla fragrans (Salisb.)Ames 

Tok ples: Plant family: Orchidaceae 

Description: A climbing orchid. The vine is fleshy and climbs by 

means of roots. It can climb to 10-15 m high. It is 1-2 cm across 

and flexible but easily broken. There are 5-15 cm between nodes. 

It is often trained to a lower height to allow easier pollination and 

harvesting. Aerial roots arise from the stem opposite the leaves. 

These are white and 2 mm across. They attach to supports. It has 

long pointed fleshy leaves. They have almost no stalk and can be 

8-25 cm long by 2-8 cm wide. The tip of the leaf is pointed and the 

base is rounded. The flowers are greenish yellow and large and 

waxy. They occur in groups of up to 30 in the axils of the leaves. 

The fruit is a long fleshy pod with small black seeds inside. 

Distribution: It needs a warm moist climate. The best temperature 

is between 21°-32°C with an average around 27°C. It will grow up 

to at least 1300 m altitude. It does best with an evenly distributed 

rainfall of 2,000-5,000 mm per year. Ideally it should have 2 drier 

months to allow the flowers to develop. Light shade is necessary. 

It needs a well drained location and lots of humus and organic matter to grow in. It suits 


Cultivation: Plants are grown from cuttings in a layer of rotting plant material and forest debris. 

It needs a pole to climb and should have light shade. When the vine extends along a branch it is 

pulled down to promote flowering. The flowers need to be hand pollinated in the early morning. 

It is most successful on a sunny morning following rain. Using a small match sized stick the 

pollen is removed by squeexing the flower then putting the pollen onto the sticky stigma. 

Flowering tends to be seasonal and occur once per year during the drier months. If fertile crosspollinated 

seed is required, it is necessary to cross pollinate the plants. (In Mexico small bees in 

the genus Melapona naturally pollinate vanilla) 

Production: Fertilised flowers produce pods in 6 weeks. The pods are ready for harvest about 9 

months after pollination. This is indicated by the pods turning slightly yellow at the end. The 

beans are partly dried and allowed to sweat to increase flavour. They are normally sweated for 

2-3 weeks then dried. They become dark brown in colour. 

Use: The pods are used to flavour foods. The flavour is extracted in alcohol. 



part 

Pods 

% KJ g 

Insects: 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Diseases: 

Shoot blight Fungus Gloeosporium sp. 

Rot of cuttings Fungus Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. 

Leaf spot 

Pests: 

Importance: It is grown commercially in a few lowland areas of Papua New Guinea. It is also 

commercial in some other tropical countries. 

Zinc 

mg

548 

Names 

English: Ginger Scientific name: Zingiber officinale Rosc. 



Description: A perennial herb with swollen 

underground stems. It can grow 30-100 cm tall. The 

underground stem or rhizome branches and is 

horizontal near the soil surface. It is about 1.5-2.5 cm 

thick. Inside the rhizome is yellow and it is covered 

with scales forming a circle around it. The leaves are 

long (30 cm) and narrow (4 cm). Each leafy shoot 

usually has 8-12 leaves in two vertical lines on opposite 

sides of them. The leaf blade narrows evenly to the leaf 

tip. The flower is a cone 6 cm long on a stalk up to 30 

cm long. (Flowers are not produced in all locations.) 

Distribution: It is a tropical plant. It is mainly grown 

from sea level up to 1900 m altitude in the tropics but 

will grow at higher places. It needs a loose fertile soil. 

It does best with plenty of humus. It requires a rainfall 

of 1500 mm or more per year. It does best where there 

is a short dry season and a good hot temperature. It 

cannot stand waterlogging. In Nepal it grows to about 


Cultivation: A portion of the rhizome is planted 5-7 cm below the surface of the soil. 

Sometimes light shade is used but it can be grown without shade. 

Production: It takes 12 months to mature. It is harvested several times. The young shoots are 

cut when about 7.5 cm high. 

Use: The underground rhizome is eaten. 

The young shoots are spicy and can be eaten. 

The rhizome can be dried and powdered. 

Oil of ginger is used as a flavouring. 


Edible 

part 

Moisture 

% 

Energy 

KJ 

Protein 

g 

Calcium 

mg 

Iron 

mg 

proVit A 

µg 

proVit C 

mg 

Rhizome 

Rhiz dry 9.4 1452 9.1 11.5 15 7.0 4.7 

Shoots 

Insects: 

Aspidiella hartii (Cockerell) Diaspididae (HEM) Armoured scale 

Dichocrocis sp. nr. punctiferalis Guenee Pyralidae (LEP) Peach yellow moth 

Dindymus pyrochrous Boisd. Pyrrhocoridae (HEM) 

Ferrisia virgata (Cockerell) Pseudococcidae (HEM) Mealy bug 



Icerya seychellarum (Westwood) Margarodidae (HEM) Soft scale 

Lema variator Gres. Chrysomelidae (COL) 

Lema wauensis Gres. Chrysomelidae (COL) 

Meijerella inaequalis Becker Chloropidae (DIPT) 

Zinc 

mg

549 

Pentalonia nigronervosa Coq. Aphididae (HEM) Banana aphid 



Ragwelellus horvathi Poppius Miridae (HEM) Cardamom mirid 

Thressa punctifera de Meijere Chloropidae (DIPT) 

Diseases: 

Leaf spot Fungus Pyricularia zingiberi 

Leaf spot Fungus Phaeodactylium alpiniae 

Leaf blotch Fungi Curvularia sp. 

And Glomerella cingulata (Stonem)Spauld & Schr. 

& Bacteria Corynebacterium sp. 

Pests: 

Importance: Common in most areas of Papua New Guinea and eaten in quantity as a vegetable 

and as a spice. In some places it cannot be eaten by women.

550 

Names 

English: Wild ginger Scientific name: Zingiber zerumbet (L.)Roscoe ex Smith 

Tok pisin: Synonyms: Amomum zerumbet L. 


Description: An upright clumpy plant up to 0.4-1 m 

high. The rhizome is thick and yellow. The stems are 

stout. The leaves do not have a leaf stalk. Leaves are 

broadly sword shaped. The base is narrowed. They 

taper to the tip. The leaves are shorter and fatter than 

true ginger. They are 15-40 cm long by 3-8 cm wide. 

The flower cone is also longer and thinner than true 

ginger. The flower comes from the rhizome and is 

cone shaped and 6-15 cm long by 3.5-5 cm wide. The 

stalk is 10-30 cm long. The sheaths are scale like. The 

bracts are green when young and red when old. The 

fruit is a capsule which is 0.8-1.2 cm across. The seeds 

are black. 

Distribution: It grows in tropical Asia. It occurs in 

coastal areas in the Philippines. It is most common in 

damp open forest. It suits seasonally moist and dry 

climates. It needs a fertile, organically-rich, welldrained 

soil. It grows in S China. It suits hardiness 

zones 8-12. 

Cultivation: It mostly grows wild in regrowth forest. 

Production: 

Use: The rhizome and leaves are eaten aa flavouring in cooking. 

They are also used in medicine and magic. 



part 

Rhizome 


Leaves 19 

Insects: 

Diseases: 

Pests: 

Importance: In Papua New Guinea this is a quite common plant but only a minor food plant. 

Zinc 

mg

Index of scientific name 

551 

Scientific name Page 

Abelmoschus esculentus 247 

Abelmoschus manihot 94 

Acca sellowiana 520 

Aceratium oppositifolium 519 

Acmena hemilampra var. hemilampra 518 

Acrostichum aureum 147 

Acrostichum speciosum 149 

Actinidia chinensis 517 

Aleurites moluccana 347 

Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum 244 

Allium cepa var. aggregatum 241 

Allium cepa var. cepa 240 

Allium sativum 243 

Allium schoenoprasum 242 

Allium tuberosum 245 

Alocasia macrorrhiza 17 

Amaranthus caudatus 88 

Amaranthus cruentus 87 

Amaranthus dubius 90 

Amaranthus interruptus 92 

Amaranthus lividus 91 

Amaranthus spinosus 93 

Amaranthus tricolor 85 

Amaranthus viridus 89 

Amorphophallus paeonifolius var. campanulatus 19 

Anacardium occidentale 351 

Ananas comosus 374 

Anethum graveolens 528 

Angiopteris evecta 152 

Annona cherimola 386 

Annona cherimola x A squamosa 387 

Annona muricata 389 

Annona reticulata 391 

Annona squamosa 392 

Antidesma bunius 516 

Antidesma erostre 515 

Antidesma ghaesembilla 514 

Apium graveolens var dulce 246 

Arachis hypogea 51 

Areca catechu 172 

Areca guppyana 175 

Areca jobiensis 176 

Areca macrocalyx 174 

Arenga microcarpa 177 

Artocarpus altilis 308 

Artocarpus heterophyllus 311 

Artocarpus vrieseanus 313 

Asparagus officinalis 248 

Asplenium affine 153

552 


Asplenium nidus 154 

Averrhoa bilimbi 405 

Averrhoa carambola 403 

Baccaurea papuana 419 

Bactris gasipaes 178 

Bambusa forbesii 269 

Bambusa vulgaris 268 

Barringtonia edulis 304 

Barringtonia niedenzuana 306 

Barringtonia novae-hibernae 307 

Barringtonia procera 305 

Basella alba 121 

Benincasa hispida 223 

Beta vulgaris 271 

Beta vulgaris ssp. cicla 117 

Blechnum orientale 157 

Blighia sapida 513 

Borassus flabellifer 180 

Borassus heineana 181 

Botrychium australe 158 

Brassica juncea 237 

Brassica napus var. napobrassica 235 

Brassica oleracea var. albiflora 234 

Brassica oleracea var. botrytis 231 

Brassica oleracea var. capitata 227 

Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera 229 

Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes 230 

Brassica oleracea var. italica 232 

Brassica rapa 233 

Brassica rapa var. chinensis 228 

Brassica rapa var. glabra 236 

Burckella obovata 376 

Cajanus cajan 61 

Calamus hollrungii 182 

Calamus warburgii 198 

Callipteris prolifera 159 

Canarium acutifolium 303 

Canarium australianum var.glabrum 302 

Canarium decumanum 301 

Canarium indicum 293 

Canarium kaniense 295 

Canarium lamii 300 

Canarium salomonense 296 

Canarium schlechteri 299 

Canarium sp. 298 

Canarium vitiense 297 

Canavalia ensiformis 70 

Canavalia gladiata 71 

Canna edulis 39 

Capsicum annuum var. annuum 249 

Capsicum frutescens 530

553 


Carica papaya 371 

Carica pubescens 373 

Carya illinoinensis 356 

Caryota rumphiana var. papuana 183 

Castanea sativa 353 

Castanopsis acuminatissima 346 

Castanospermum australe 355 

Centella asiatica 531 

Ceratopteris thalictroides 160 

Cicer arietinum 82 

Cichorium endivia subsp. endivia 266 

Cichorium intybus 267 

Citrullus lanatus 377 

Citrus aurantifolia 408 

Citrus aurantium 415 

Citrus grandis 407 

Citrus hystrix 414 

Citrus limon 411 

Citrus medica 412 

Citrus paradisi 409 

Citrus reticulata 413 

Citrus sinensis 410 

Cleome gynandra 129 

Clymenia polyandra 416 

Cocos nucifera 169 

Coix lachryma-jobi 282 

Colocasia esculenta 12 

Commelina cyanea 123 

Commelina diffusa 124 

Coriandrum sativum 536 

Corylus avellana 357 

Corynocarpus cribbianus 418 

Corypha utan 184 

Cucumis melo 219 

Cucumis sativus 216 

Cucurbita maxima 214 

Cucurbita moschata 213 

Cucurbita pepo 218 

Curcuma domestica 535 

Cyamopsis tetragonolobus 81 

Cyathea angiensis 138 

Cyathea contaminans 139 

Cyathea hornei 140 

Cyathea lunulata 141 

Cyathea rubiginosa 142 

Cyclosorus interruptus 143 

Cymbopogon citratus 527 

Cynara scolymus 259 

Cyphomandra betacea 420 

Cyrtosperma merkusii 16 

Daucus carota 255

554 


Deeringia amaranthoides 128 

Dendrocalamus asper 263 

Dendrocalamus giganteus 264 

Dicliptera papuana 125 

Dillenia alata 512 

Dillenia indica 511 

Dimocarpus longan 510 

Dioscorea alata 23 

Dioscorea bulbifera 28 

Dioscorea esculenta 26 

Dioscorea hispida 31 

Dioscorea nummularia 25 

Dioscorea pentaphylla 30 

Dioscorea rotundata 32 

Diospyros blancoi 508 

Diospyros hebecarpa 509 

Diospyros kaki 507 

Diplazium asperum 137 

Diplazium cordifolium 136 

Diplazium esculentum 135 

Diplocyclos palmatus 132 

Dracontomelon dao 423 

Drynaria quercifolia 161 

Dryopteris sparsa 162 

Durio zibethinus 464 

Elaeis guineensis 185 

Elaeocarpus angustifolius 343 

Elaeocarpus arnhemicus 344 

Elaeocarpus bancrofti 342 

Elaeocarpus culminicola 345 

Elaeocarpus polydactylus 339 

Elaeocarpus pullenii 341 

Elaeocarpus womersleyi 340 

Elettaria cardamomum 533 

Eleusine indica 281 

Eriobotrya japonica 472 

Erythrina variegata 126 

Erythrina variegata var. orientalis 127 

Eugenia reinwardtiana 425 

Eugenia uniflora 424 

Fagopyrum esculentum 270 

Ficus carica 506 

Ficus copiosa 101 

Ficus dammaropsis 104 

Ficus hispida 105 

Ficus pungens 103 

Ficus tinctoria 106 

Ficus wassa 102 

Finschia chloroxantha 330 

Finschia ferruginiflora 331 

Finschia rufa 331

555 


Flacourtia indica 438 

Flacourtia inermis 439 

Flacourtia jangomas 440 

Flacourtia rukam 441 

Fortunella margarita 505 

Fragaria vesca 448 

Fragaria x ananassa 449 

Garcinia dulcis 471 

Garcinia eugeniaefolia 470 

Garcinia mangostana 466 

Garcinia riparia 469 

Garcinia warrenii 468 

Garuga floribunda 504 

Glycine max 63 

Gnetum gnemon 96 

Gronophyllum chaunostachys 187 

Gulubia cylindrocarpa 188 

Helianthus annuus 272 

Helianthus tuberosus 40 

Helminthostachys zeylanica 163 

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 122 

Hibiscus sabdariffa 503 

Hornstedtia scottiana 534 

Horsfieldia australiana 338 

Horsfieldia sylvestris 478 

Inocarpus fagifer 334 

Ipomoea aquatica 107 

Ipomoea batatas 9 

Ipomoea macrantha 11 

Juglans regia 358 

Kaempferia galanga 537 

Lablab purpureus 56 

Lactuca sativa 256 

Lagenaria siceraria 220 

Lansium domesticum 502 

Leucaena leucocephala 120 

Linospadix minor 189 

Litchi chinensis 500 

Livistona benthamii 190 

Livistona muelleri 191 

Luffa acutangula 221 

Luffa cylindrica 222 

Lycopersicon esculentum 253 

Lygodium microphyllum 164 

Macadamia ternifolia 332 

Macadamia tetraphylla 333 

Maesa edulis 501 

Mangifera altissima 477 

Mangifera foetida 476 

Mangifera indica 473 

Mangifera minor 475

556 


Manihot esculenta 33 

Manilkara zapota 498 

Marattia sp. 165 

Medicago sativa 265 

Melissa officinalis 538 

Mentha spicata 526 

Metroxylon sagu 46 

Metroxylon salomonense 48 

Microcitrus garrawayae 494 

Microsorum linguaeforme 151 

Microsorum scolopendria 155 

Momordica charantia 224 

Momordica cochinchinensis 226 

Monstera deliciosa 493 

Morinda citrifolia 492 

Moringa oleifera 119 

Morus alba 490 

Morus nigra 491 

Mucuna albertissi 79 

Mucuna pruriens 77 

Mucuna pruriens var utilis 78 

Muntingia calabura 488 

Musa ingens 497 

Musa maclayi 496 

Musa sp (A &/or B genome) cv. 44 

Myristica fragrans 539 

Myristica hollrungii 479 

Myristica insipida 540 

Myristica schleinitzii 541 

Myristica womersleyi 543 

Nasturtium schlechteri 113 

Nastus elatus 262 

Nelumbo nucifera 285 

Nephelium lappaceum 486 

Nephrolepis biserrata 148 

Nephrolepis hirsutula 150 

Normanbya normanbyi 192 

Nymphaea gigantea 286 

Nymphaea lotus var. pubescens 287 

Nymphaea macrosperma 288 

Nymphaea nouchali 289 

Nymphaea violacea 290 

Nypa fruticans 336 

Ocimum basilicum 525 

Oenanthe javanica 98 

Olea europaea 495 

Omphalea queenslandiae 337 

Ophioglossum reticulatum 156 

Origanum marjorana 523 

Origanum vulgare 524 

Ormocarpum orientale 112

557 


Oryza rufipogon 278 

Oryza sativa 275 

Oxalis tuberosa 41 

Pachyrrhizus erosus 38 

Pandanus antaresensis 318 

Pandanus brosimos 317 

Pandanus conoideus 379 

Pandanus dubius 320 

Pandanus englerianus 381 

Pandanus jiulianettii 315 

Pandanus krauelianus 382 

Pandanus lamekotensis 383 

Pandanus lauterbachii 384 

Pandanus odoratissimus 354 

Pandanus tectorius 319 

Pangium edule 359 

Parartocarpus venenosus 457 

Parinari nonda 483 

Passiflora edulis 450 

Passiflora foetida 455 

Passiflora laurifolia 453 

Passiflora ligularis 454 

Passiflora quandrangularis 456 

Passiflora tripartita var. mollisima 452 

Pastinaca sativa 261 

Perilla frutescens 532 

Persea americana var. americana 395 

Petroselinum crispum 260 

Phaseolus coccineus subsp. coccineus 76 

Phaseolus lunatus 65 

Phaseolus vulgaris 66 

Phoenix dactylifera 193 

Physalis angulata 458 

Physalis minima 459 

Piper betle 544 

Piper nigrum 545 

Pistacia vera 360 

Pisum sativum 68 

Pneumatopteris sogerensis 146 

Polyscias fruticosa 109 

Polyscias macgillivrayi 111 

Polyscias scutellaria 110 

Polyscias verticillata 108 

Pometia pinnata 394 

Portulaca oleracea 130 

Pouteria campechiana 460 

Pouteria maclayana 461 

Prunus dulcis var. amygdalus 361 

Prunus persica 462 

Prunus sp. 463 

Psidium cattleianum 399

558 


Psidium guajava 397 

Psophocarpus tetragonolobus 53 

Ptychosperma elegans 194 

Ptychosperma macarthurii 195 

Pueraria lobata var. lobata 37 

Punica granatum 489 

Raphanus sativus 239 

Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus 238 

Ravenala madagascariensis 196 

Rheum rhaponticum 487 

Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum 114 

Roystonea regia 197 

Rubus archboldianus 447 

Rubus fraxinifolius 442 

Rubus lasiocarpus 443 

Rubus moluccanus 444 

Rubus parvifolius 445 

Rubus rosifolius 446 

Rungia klossii 99 

Saccharum edule 201 

Saccharum officinarum 369 

Salacca zalacca 482 

Sandoricum koetjape 484 

Sauropus androgynus 118 

Sechium edule 211 

Setaria palmifolia 203 

Sloanea tieghemii 365 

Solanum melongena 251 

Solanum nigrum 100 

Solanum quitoense 422 

Solanum torvum 252 

Solanum tuberosum 35 

Sorghum bicolor 279 

Spinacia oleracea L. 131 

Spondias cytherea 400 

Spondias philippensis 402 

Stenochlaena milnei 145 

Stenochlaena palustris 144 

Sterculia foetida 362 

Sterculia quadrifida 363 

Sterculia schumanniana 364 

Symphytum officinale 115 

Syzygium aqueum 426 

Syzygium branderhorstii 431 

Syzygium fibrosum 433 

Syzygium forte subsp. forte 434 

Syzygium jambos 429 

Syzygium javanicum 428 

Syzygium malaccense 427 

Syzygium samarangensis 435 

Syzygium sayeri 430

559 


Syzygium suborbiculare 436 

Syzygium tierneyanum 437 

Tacca leontopetaloides 21 

Talinum triangulare 116 

Tamarindus indica 542 

Terminalia calamansanai 325 

Terminalia catappa 324 

Terminalia copelandii 323 

Terminalia impediens 322 

Terminalia kaernbachii 321 

Terminalia megalocarpa 326 

Terminalia microcarpa 327 

Terminalia sepicana 328 

Terminalia solomonensis 329 

Theobroma cacao 529 

Thymus vulgaris 546 

Trichosanthes cucumerina 208 

Trichosanthes pulleana 209 

Trichosanthes tricuspidata 210 

Triphasia trifolia 417 

Triticum aestivum 280 

Tropaeolum tuberosum 42 

Ullucus tuberosus 43 

Vanilla planifolia 547 

Vicia faba 80 

Vigna mungo 72 

Vigna radiata 74 

Vigna umbellata 75 

Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis 57 

Vigna unguiculata subsp. unguiculata 59 

Vitis vinifera 480 

Xanthosoma sagittifolium 14 

Ximenia americana var. america 481 

Zea mays 205 

Zingiber officinale 548 

Zingiber zerumbet 550

560 

English name Page 

Adder’s tongue 156 

Akee 513 

Alfalfa, Lucerne 265 

Almond 361 

Alpine strawberry 448 

Angled loofah 221 

Anu 42 

Arenga palm 177 

Argus pheasant tree 423 

Arnhem land quandong 344 

Asian pennywort 531 

Asparagus 248 

Atemoya, Custard apple 387 

Avocado 395 

Bamaga Satinash 437 

Banana 44 

Banana passionfruit 452 

Beach cherry 425 

Beetroot 271 

Bermuda grass 281 

Betel nut 172 

Betel pepper 544 

Bilimbi, Tree cucumber 405 

Bird’s nest fern 154 

Bitter gourd 224 

Bitter yam 31 

Black currant tree 514 

Black palm 192 

Black raspberry 443 

Blackberried nightshade 100 

Blue quandong 343 

Blue waterlily 290 

Bok-choy Celery cabbage 228 

Bottle gourd 220 

Breadfruit 308 

Broad bean 80 

Broad leafed lillypilly 518 

Broccoli 232 

Brussels sprouts 229 

Buckwheat 270 

Bulb onion 240 

Bullock’s heart 391 

Bungwall 157 

Cabbage 227 

Cacao 529 

Candle nut 347 

Canistel 460 

Cape chestnut 338 

Capsicum, Bell peppers 249 

Carambola 403

561 

Cardamom 533 

Carrot 255 

Cashew 351 

Cassava 33 

Castanopsis chestnut 346 

Cauliflower 231 

Celery 246 

Ceriman, Monstera 493 

Cherimoya 386 

Cherry guava 399 

Chickpea 82 

Chicory, Witloof 267 

Chilli, Bird’s eye chilli 530 

Chinese amaranth 85 

Chinese chives 245 

Chinese gooseberry 517 

Chinese kale 234 

Chinese laurel 516 

Chinese radish 238 

Chinese taro 14 

Chives 242 

Choko 211 

Citron 412 

Claudie River Lawyer vine 198 

Climbing maidenhair fern 164 

Climbing swamp fern 144 

Clymenia 416 

Coastal pandanus 319 

Coconut 169 

Coffee plum 440 

Common bamboo 268 

Common bean 66 

Common comfrey 115 

Coral tree 127 

Coriander 536 

Corn 205 

Corypha palm 184 

Cowpea 59 

Cuban royal palm 197 

Cucumber 216 

D’Albertis creeper 79 

Date palm 193 

Dill 528 

Drumstick tree 119 

Durian 464 

Dwarf fan palm 191 

Dye fig 106 

Egg tree 471 

Eggplant 251 

Elephant apple 511 

Elephant foot yam 19 

Endive 266

562 

European chestnut 353 

European grape 480 

Fan palm 190 

Fei banana 496 

Feijoa, Pineapple guava 520 

Fig 506 

Finschia nuts 330 

Fishtail palm 183 

Five leaflet yam 30 

Fivrous Satinash 433 

Flowering fern 163 

Fragrant screwpine 354 

Garden strawberry 449 

Garlic 243 

Garraway lime 494 

Garuga 504 

Giant bamboo 263 

Giant bamboo 264 

Giant Creek fern 146 

Giant taro 17 

Giant waterlily 286 

Ginger 548 

Globe artichoke 259 

Golden apple 400 

Golden beach 512 

Golden mangrove fern 147 

Governor’s plum 438 

Grain amaranth 88 

Granadilla 456 

Grapefruit 409 

Greater yam 23 

Green amaranth 89 

Green gram bean 74 

Grey cane palm 195 

Guar bean 81 

Guava 397 

Hairy sword fern 150 

Hazel 357 

Hibiscus 122 

Highlands betel nut 174 

Highlands breadfruit 104 

Horse mango 476 

Indian coral tree 126 

Indian mulberry 492 

Indian spinach 121 

Jack bean 70 

Jackfruit 311 

Java almond 293 

Java apple 428 

Java apple 435 

Java olive 362 

Jerusalem artichoke 40

563 

Job’s tears 282 

Karuka 315 

King fern 152 

Kohl Rabi 230 

Kudzu 37 

Kumquat 505 

Lablab bean 56 

Ladder fern 148 

Langsat 502 

Leaf mustard 237 

Leek 244 

Lemon 411 

Lemon balm 538 

Lemon grass 527 

Lesser yam 26 

Lettuce 256 

Leucaena 120 

Lima bean 65 

Lime berry 417 

Litchi 500 

Lockerbie Satinash 431 

Long pitpit 201 

Longan 510 

Loquat 472 

Lotus root 285 

Lovo 103 

Macadamia 332 

Malay apple 427 

Mandarin 413 

Mango 473 

Mangosteen 466 

Mangrove fern 149 

Mangrove nutmeg 479 

Marjoram 523 

Marrow 218 

Melon, Cantaloupe 219 

Melville Island white beech 302 

Minor walking stick palm 189 

Moluccan bramble 444 

Moreton Bay chestnut 355 

Mountain pawpaw 373 

Mulberry 490 

Mung bean 72 

Naranjilla 422 

Native amaranth 92 

Native bamboo 269 

Native cardamon 534 

Native gooseberry 459 

Nonda plum 483 

Nummularia yam 25 

Nutmeg & mace 539 

Nypa 336

564 

Oca 41 

Oil palm 185 

Okra 247 

Olive 495 

Orange 410 

Oregano 524 

Pacific lychee 394 

Palmyra like palm 181 

Palmyra palm 180 

Panama berry 488 

Panax 109 

Pangi 359 

Pao nuts 305 

Papua white rattan 182 

Parsley 260 

Parsley fern 158 

Parsnip 261 

Passionflower 455 

Pawpaw 371 

Pea 68 

Pea eggplant 252 

Peach 462 

Peach palm 178 

Peanut 51 

Peanut tree 363 

Pecan 356 

Pepper 545 

Perilla 532 

Persian mulberry 491 

Persimmon 507 

Petsai 236 

Pigeon pea 61 

Pineapple 374 

Pink satinash 430 

Pistachio nut 360 

Plentiful fig 101 

Plum 463 

PNG edible bamboo 262 

Polynesian arrowroot 21 

Polynesian chestnut 334 

Pomegranate 489 

Pomelo, Pummelo 407 

Potato 35 

Potato yam 28 

Prickly amaranth 93 

Pumpkin 213 

Pumpkin 214 

Purple amaranth 87 

Purple passionfruit 450 

Purslane 130 

Qandong 345 

Queensland almond 342

565 

Queensland arrowroot 39 

Queensland nutmeg 540 

Radish 239 

Rambutan 486 

Red bush apple 436 

Red raspberry 442 

Resurrection lily 537 

Rhubarb 487 

Rice 275 

Rice bean 75 

Rock fern 161 

Rose apple 429 

Rose-leafed raspberry 446 

Rosella 503 

Rough shelled madacamia 333 

Rukam 441 

Rungia 99 

Sago 46 

Salak 482 

Santol 484 

Sapodilla 498 

Scarlet runner bean 76 

Shallots 241 

Short pitpit 203 

Silver beet 117 

Slender amaranth 91 

Smooth loofah 222 

Snake gourd 208 

Solitaire palm 194 

Solomon’s sago 48 

Sorghum 279 

Sour orange 415 

Soursop 389 

Soybean 63 

Spearmint 526 

Spider flower 129 

Spinach 131 

Spinach joint fir 96 

Spiny bitter cucumber 226 

Spleen amaranth 90 

Striped cucumber 132 

Sugarcane 369 

Sunflower 272 

Sunset Hibiscus 94 

Surinam cherry 424 

Swamp morning glory 107 

Swamp taro 16 

Swede 235 

Sweet basil 525 

Sweet granadilla 454 

Sweet leaf 118 

Sweet potato 9

566 

Sweetsop 392 

Sword bean 71 

Tamarind 542 

Tambour 337 

Taro 12 

Thornless rukam 439 

Thyme 546 

Tiny waterlily 289 

Tomato 253 

Tooth-leafed winter cherry 458 

Traveller’s palm 196 

Tree fern 138 

Tree tomato, Tamarillo 420 

Tropical almond 324 

Tulican 509 

Turmeric 535 

Turnip 233 

Ulucco 43 

Vanilla 547 

Vegetable fern 135 

Velvet apple 508 

Velvet bean 77 

Velvet bean 78 

Walnut 358 

Wandering Jew 123 

Wandering Jew 124 

Warren’s mangosteen 468 

Water dropwort 98 

Water fern 160 

Watercress 114 

Waterleaf 116 

Watermelon 377 

Watery rose apple 426 

Wax gourd 223 

West Indian Lime 408 

Wheat 280 

White apple 434 

White Guinea yam 32 

White sandpaper fig 105 

Wild currant 515 

Wild ginger 550 

Wild karuka 317 

Wild lime 414 

Wild mango 475 

Wild mango 477 

Wild olive, Yellow plum 481 

Wild rice 278 

Winged bean 53 

Yam bean 38 

Yard long bean 57 

Yellow granadilla 453

Tok Pisin name Page 

Aibika 94 

Aila 334 

Anian 240 

Apokat 395 

Asbin 53 

Aupa 85 

Banan 44 

Bin 66 

Botel 220 

Brokoli 232 

Buai 172 

Bukubuk 376 

Daka 544 

Faiv kona 403 

Galip 293 

Golgol, Gorgor 534 

Hailans kapiak 104 

Kakao 529 

Kalava 112 

Kambibi 174 

Kangkong 107 

Kapiak 308 

Karakap 100 

Karuka 315 

Kaukau 9 

Kaw 548 

Kebis 227 

Kokonat 169 

Kon 205 

Kongakonga 132 

Kukamba 216 

Kumu musong 101 

Kumugras 159 

Laulau 427 

Lovi-lovi 439 

Mambu 268 

Mambu 262 

Mami 26 

Marita 379 

Mengo 473 

Mon 423 

Muli 411 

Muli 408 

Mundroi 418 

Okari 321 

Painap 374 

Pakal 457 

Palpal 126 

Pamkin 213 

Pamkin 214 

567

Pao 307 

Pao 305 

Paragum 17 

Peteta 35 

Pi 68 

Pinat 51 

Pitpit 201 

Pitpit 203 

Popo, Papaia 371 

Rais 275 

Saksak 46 

Saksak 48 

Sapasap 389 

Sili 530 

Singapo 14 

Sioko 211 

Sis 359 

Suga 369 

Swit muli 410 

Talis 322 

Talis 323 

Tapiok 33 

Taro tru 12 

Tometo 253 

Ton, Taun 394 

Tu-lip 96 

Valanguar 108 

Vutu kana 304 

Wail karuka 317 

Wara kebis 114 

Yam tru 23 

Yam tru 25 

568

Food Plants International

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