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Tree Description: Katuk tolerates most soils, and grows in sun or shade. For the best tender shoots and leaves, grow katuk in at least half shade and fertilize frequently. This shrub should be occasionally pruned to 3-5 feet since it tends to grow straight up until it falls over. In SW Florida it can be killed back by hard freeze but grows back from the ground and may re-grow bushier than before. 

Scientific Name: Sauropus androgynus

Common Names: (English) star gooseberry, sweet leaf; (Solomon Islands) Borneo; (Spanish) katuk; babing, binahian, ngub, hvaan baanz, phakwan-ban, cherkor manis, chekkurmanis, madhura cherai, cherai, simani, thavasai murungai

Family: Phyllanthaceae 

Origin: India 

Importance: The unique flavor of these leaves is most similar to raw peas when eaten raw. It grows exceptionally well in Florida, going dormant in the winter. In India it is known as Multivitamin Plant as it contains an excellent source of vitamins A, B, C, carotenoid and also it has high nutritive value and contains phytochemicals which can act as antioxidant. The leafy vegetable S. androgynus is commonly used as an effective medicinal herb in the treatment of diabetics, cancer, inflammation, microbial infection, cholesterol and allergy due to its antioxidant effect.