Leea indica (Burm.f.) Merr., Philip. J. Sc. 14 (1919)

Synonyms
Aquilicia otillis Gaertn.
Aquilicia sambucina L.
Leea biserrata Miq.
Leea celebica Clarke
Leea divaricata T. & B.
Leea expansa Craib
Leea fuliginosa Miq.
Leea gigantea Griff.
Leea gracilis Laut.
Leea longifolia Merr.
Leea longifoliola Merr.
Leea naumannii Engl.
Leea novoguineensis Val.
Leea otillis (Gaertn.) DC
Leea palembanica Miq.
Leea pubescens Zipp. ex Miq.
Leea ramosi Merr.
Leea robusta Blume
Leea roehrsiana Sanders ex Masters
Leea sambucifolia Salisb.
Leea sambucina (L.) Willd.
Leea sambucina var. biserrata (Miq.) Miq.
Leea sambucina var. heterophylla Miq.
Leea sambucina var. occidentalis Clarke
Leea sambucina var. robusta Miq.
Leea sambucina var. roehrsiana (Sanders) Chittenden
Leea sambucina var. simplex Miq.
Leea sambucina var. sumatrana (Miq.) Miq.
Leea staphylea Roxb.
Leea sumatrana Miq.
Leea sundaica Miq.
Leea sundaica var. fuliginosa (Miq.) Miq.
Leea sundaica var. pilosiuscula Miq.
Leea sundaica var. subsessilis Miq.
Leea umbraculifera Clarke
Leea viridiflora Planch.
Otillis zeylanica Gaertn.
Staphylea indica Burm.f.

Description
A shrub, treelet or small tree 2-10(-16) m tall, many- or single-stemmed, frequently stilt-rooted, stems glabrous to pubescent; leaves (1-)2-3-pinnate, leaflets 7-numerous, rachis (6-)10-35(-60) cm long, petiole (6-)10-25(-35) cm long, stipules obovate, up to 6 cm x 4 cm, early caducous, usually glabrous, leaflets ovate-oblong to ovate-lanceolate or elliptical to elliptical-lanceolate, (4-)10-24(-45) cm x (1-)3-12(-20) cm, base cuneate to rounded, apex acute to acuminate, margin serrate to shallowly dentate, pearl-glands small, inconspicuous, rapidly caducous; cyme (5-)10-25(-40) cm long, usually lax, sometimes compact, glabrous to pubescent, bracts deltoid to narrowly triangular up to 4(-8) mm long; flowers greenish-white, calyx about 2-3 mm x (2-)3-4 mm, glabrous to pubescent, staminodial tube about 2-2.5 mm long, upper free part about 1-2 mm long, lobes shallowly retuse, notched or cleft, sinuses shallow, ovary (4-)6(-8)-celled; berry 5-10(-15) mm in diameter, purple-black, 6-seeded; seed 5 mm x 4 mm. [from PROSEA]

Ecology
In undisturbed to slightly disturbed (open sites) in mixed dipterocarp, swamp and sub-montane forests up to 1700 m altitude. Also common around villages (usually coppiced). Usually on alluvial sites and near or along rivers and streams. Also found on limestone.

Uses
In Malaysia and East New Britain, the pounded leaves are used for poulticing cuts and skin complaints in general. It is placed upon the head in fever, and as a general anodyne for body pains. In the Central Province in Papua New Guinea, a decoction of the shoots is applied to sores. In the Oro province the body is beaten for some time with leafy shoots to relieve body pains, fevers and sleeplessness. In Malaysia, a decoction of the roots is taken to relieve stomach-ache. In Java, the leaves are applied as a poultice for headache. In the Moluccas, the leaves pounded with coconut oil are heated and applied to cuts and wounds. In Thailand, the root is considered antipyretic and diaphoretic. It is used to relieve muscular pain, and is an ingredient of a preparation to treat leucorrhoea, intestinal cancer and cancer of the uterus. In the Manus Province, Papua New Guinea, young shoots are chewed to relieve a severe cough. In India, the roots are used in diarrhoea, colic, dysentery and as a sudorific. The leaves are roasted and applied to the head for vertigo. The tender shoots are used as a vegetable and the fruits are edible.

Distribution
India, Sri Lanka and southern China to New Guinea, Australia and the western Pacific.

Local names
Borneo: Inyoi, Mali-mali, Sangeh.
Indonesia: ki tuwa (Sundanese), kayu tuwa (Javanese).
Malaysia: mali-mali, merbati padang, jolok-jolok (Peninsular).
Papua New Guinea: paikoro (Gunantuna, East New Britain), dadoro (Garara, Oro Province), warawa (Navuapaka, Central Province).
Philippines: mali (Tagalog), amamali (Bisaya).
Thailand: katangbai (northern, Bangkok, south-eastern), bangbaai ton (peninsular).
Vietnam: c[ur] r[oos]i den.