Antidesma ghaesembilla Gaertn., Fruct. Sem. Pl. 1 (1788)

Latin for the local name of this species in Sri Lanka.

Synonyms
Antidesma frutescens Jack
Antidesma ghaesembilla var. genuinum Mull.Arg.
Antidesma ghaesembilla var. paniculatum (Willd.) Mull.Arg.
Antidesma ghaesembilla var. vestitum (C.Presl.) Mull.Arg.
Antidesma paniculatum Willd.
Antidesma pubescens Roxb.
Antidesma rhamnoides Brongn. ex Tul.
Antidesma schultzii Benth.
Antidesma spicatum Blanco
Antidesma vestitum C.Presl.

Description
Understorey tree up to 16 m tall and 22 cm dbh. Stipules ca. 5 mm long. Leaves alternate, simple, penni-veined, usually hairy below, secondary veins looping. Flowers ca. 2 mm in diameter, yellowish-red, with protruding stamens, placed in branched inflorescences. Fruits ca. 4 mm long, pink-red, fleshy drupes.

Ecology
In open or disturbed vegetations, often in grasslands, up to 700 m altitude. Mostly on alluvial sites, but also quite common on hillsides. On sandy to clay soils, also on limestone.

Uses
The fruits are edible.

Distribution
India and China to New Guinea and northern Australia. In Borneo found in Sabah, West- and East-Kalimantan. Successfully established in Guyana (South America), where it has become a troublesome weed.

Local names
Borneo: Andarupis, Anjarubi, Anjuripes, Borotindik, Dempul, Guchek, Gunchin, Gunipot, Indarupis, Jantik-jantik, Kakapal, Lonang, Ondurupis, Sunsuron, Tandurupis, Tarat, Tendrupis.