From the
Australian New Crops Newsletter
by G.K. and Rob Fletcher
19.1 Sauropus androgynus
(sweet leaf bush)
[Also known as chekkurmensis, chekup manis, changkok manis or katuk]
Issue No 9, January 1998
Sauropus
androgynus
has been a popular leafy green perennial vegetable in Malaysia
(especially Borneo) for many years. It was introduced into India in the
1950s and has attracted some notoriety recently in Taiwan.
There may be an opportunity for Sauropus
in far Eastern markets; Martin Price (of ECHO, North Fort Myers,
Florida, USA) reports that Malaysia exports Sauropus to Japan
as "tropical asparagus" (http://www.xc.org/echo/tnkatuk.htm).
The leaves and the top 15cm of stem tips of the Sauropus
plant have a pleasant taste, similar to fresh garden peas, and slightly
nutty and are normally eaten raw in salads or steamed, to add to
stir-fry, rice and egg dishes, soups or casseroles. The leaves retain
their dark green colour and firm texture on cooking and are served in
restaurants as "sayor manis". The flowers and small purplish fruits of
the plant have also be eaten.
Sauropus
has a high level of provita-min A carotenoids, especially in freshly
picked leaves, as well as high levels of vitamins B and C, protein and
minerals. Nutrient content of the leaves is usually higher in more
mature leaves.
The crop grows rapidly in hot humid conditions
but becomes relatively dormant in cooler environments. Farmers in
Malaysia force the growth of stem tips by fertilisation, irrigation and
the use of shade cloth.
Plants are usually propagated
vegetatively, since the plant grows readily from cuttings. Seed
longevity is poor, seeds remain viable for only a few months.
The
species is highly mycorrhizal-dependent, is adapted to acid soils and
will grow in heavy clay soils. The only report of pests or disease is
some damage overseas from the Chinese rose beetle (Adoretus sinicus;
http://agrss.sherman.hawaii.edu/onfarm/veg/veg0000b.html).
In its natural state as an under-storey plant in lowland rainforest, Sauropus grows to
6m; when grown as a vegetable crop it requires regular pruning to 1-2m
tall for best results.
Sauropus
became a popular ingredient of an unconfirmed weight control method in
Taiwan in 1995 and several cases of poisoning were reported. The most
common form of consumption with the weight control method was as an
extract, with fruit juice. Rapidly progressive obstructive lung disease
resulted, persisting up to forty days after the method ceased. Those
consuming high levels of Sauropus
appeared to be worst affected, especially those consuming the plant as
the uncooked extract.
The
poisoning was believed to have been associated with the alkaloid
papaverine but this compound had not previously been associated with
this level of toxicity. Sauropus
extract has been found to have a very strong activity against Bursaphelenchus xylophilus
(pine wood nematodes).
Back to
Katuk
Page
|
|