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  1. #1
    Thailand Expat

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    Bele, a lovely green leafy vege.

    I have recently acquired two cuttings of bele. No mention of from where although I believe the root stock originated in Papua New Guinea, and came here via Australia.

    I'm having difficulty finding images. Difficulty in that there appears to be various names, and some of those names also seem to be something else.

    If you google "edible bele", SOME images are of what I have. If you google "Hibiscus manihot", many images do not look like what I've got (and known since childhood). Google "laupele" (the Ploynesian name) and I get mostly images of this excellent green.
    What I have is a broad leafed, shiny green. Mucilaginous and almost sweet.
    It's a wonderful green that I grew up with and has many benefits.
    I was wondering if any SE Asia residents have it because I have never seen it in Thailand (until now, haha), which surprises me as it is in PNG, and I would expect also in Indonesia.
    I should add....my cuttings have taken off! They are strong, leafy, and will soon be able to provide cuttings. I would be happy to pass on some to anyone.
    But the main gist of this post is; Has anyone ever seen it in Thailand?

  2. #2
    Thailand Expat Pragmatic's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Maanaam
    I'm having difficulty finding images.
    Can you submit a picture of what you have? It might help.

  3. #3
    Not a Mod. Begbie's Avatar
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    Looks like Rhubarb,which is poisonous.

    Last edited by Begbie; 28-11-2016 at 03:19 PM.

  4. #4
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    ^^, Yeah, I know, but sorry I haven't yet bothered to learn how to post pics, hence telling you guys about which google searches I've done.
    ^, that's the one (or very very similar) Begbie, thanks.
    Some (most as far as I know) varieties don't have the red tinge. The leaves are a lot smaller than rhubarb, and the plant can grow to a couple of metres.

  5. #5
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    (Incidentally, rhubarb leaves tea (rhubarb leaves boiled and the water kept), with a few drops of detergent makes a good insect repelant for your garden. Just brew, cool, and spray)

  6. #6
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    I believe there are a few varieties that are grown and taken - tropical/subtropical exclusive.
    Not that common in Thailand, yet have seen their leafy cousins in one market or another here. Used as the proverbial side vege or mixed with egg, soups, soy dishes.

    Outside of the hearty standby throughout PNG/extended Melanesia, can be found throughout India, especially in lentil-based dishes.

  7. #7
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    Here is a page.
    https://www.greenharvest.com.au/Plan...on/Aibika.html

    "Native to tropical Asia"
    Yet I have never seen it here, and my neighbours have not either.

  8. #8
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    "It is a very nutritious vegetable; the leaves are high in vitamins A and C, and iron, and have 2% protein by dry weight. "

    I also read that it is an excellent first baby food as it is low in fibre.

    I like it and am excited that I have two plants growing. I'd like to let them get big enough to take cuttings and spread it around as it is so easy to grow, nutritious and delicious.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Begbie
    Looks like Rhubarb,which is poisonous.
    I always thought it was the bloody crumble.
    Thanks for the heads-up.

  10. #10
    Thailand Expat Pragmatic's Avatar
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    Hibiscusmanihot, or Bele, (syn. Abelmoschus manihot), is a tropical perennial that can grow to over 3 metres high under good conditions. In the Pacific Islands Bele is one of the most utilized green vegetables, along with taro-leaf, spinach, and wild ferns, which are found throughout homegardens and fallow areas. It is reportedly one of the most nutritious green vegetables, being very high in vitamins A and C and in iron, and having 12 per cent protein by dry weight (Standal et al. 1974), which makes it a valuable food in interior villages where animal protein is scarce. The large leaves are very mucilaginous and have demulcent properties.
    Bele is easily propagated from cuttings, requires little cultivation, is relatively disease-resistant and drought tolerant. Aside from its use as a vegetable it is also considered to have medicinal value. Planted along borders of gardens or as an intercrop throughout gardens, it will yield for a long time. See below for more info in the comment forum. One commenter, Amy, claims that there are more then 70 varieties of bele in PNG… Not sure if all of these are edible.
    May be a good crop to grow in Thailand?

  11. #11
    Not a Mod. Begbie's Avatar
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    How do you cook it?

  12. #12
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    Are we talking about Abelmoschus manihot ?

    If so, you might not recognise the local variety as A. manihot leaves come in various sizes and shapes. Also the shades of green can be very different between the varieties.

    I've seen it growing (and labeled as) on test patches on Maejo Agricultural University in Chiang Mai but that was quite a while ago. I'll see if I can get a bit of an update from the staff in the department there.

  13. #13
    Thailand Expat Pragmatic's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Pragmatic
    Abelmoschus manihot
    It does grow in Thailand.
    Range

    E. Asia - China, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines to New Guinea and Northern Australia.
    Abelmoschus manihot - Useful Tropical Plants

  14. #14
    Thailand Expat Pragmatic's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Begbie
    How do you cook it?
    Young leaves can be used as a lettuce substitute

  15. #15
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    Yes, raw is nice but you may take a few meals to get used to the sliminess.
    In Fiji we always boiled it in coconut milk, often with fish.

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gipsy View Post
    Are we talking about Abelmoschus manihot ?

    If so, you might not recognise the local variety as A. manihot leaves come in various sizes and shapes. Also the shades of green can be very different between the varieties.

    I've seen it growing (and labeled as) on test patches on Maejo Agricultural University in Chiang Mai but that was quite a while ago. I'll see if I can get a bit of an update from the staff in the department there.
    That's very interesting. And yes, maybe (plainly!) I have not recognised the local variety...many of the photos online I saw (with slender-fingered palmitisect leaves (think maryjane leaves)) were alien to me. Also the red-hued or tinged ones.

    This is why I have posted. It's a great food....I'd prefer it to cabbage any day, spinach some days....grows in tropical Asia, and yet I have never seen it grown or sold (Southern Thailand).

    As I said, I'll be happy to pass on cuttings once my two babies are old enough.
    Last edited by Maanaam; 28-11-2016 at 07:53 PM.

  17. #17
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    There appears to be very little info available in Thai on that plant.

    There's a bit about them on this English site.

    Pacific Spinach « Edible Plant Project

    and this one: http://anthropogen.com/?p=402

  18. #18
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    That's the one Neverna.
    Looks like most reports say it's highly nutritious and easy to grow.

    I would love to know the Thai name, but as I said, my neighbours have never seen it before.

  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gipsy
    I'll see if I can get a bit of an update from the staff in the department there.
    Please!!

  20. #20
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    I was curious and looked up this plant on the net. It belongs to Family Malvaceae, same as.okra & gumamela, Hibiscus rosasinensis. It's said to be common in SEA, but I haven't seen it in markets here, and AFAIK, it's not planted as food. The leaves (different cultivats) don't look familiar to me either. I wouldn't know how to cook it. I've asked a botanist friend if we have it here in PI, she said she'll get back to me by text later. Cheers, Maanaam!

  21. #21
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    In Thai food markets I personally haven't been able to come across the green leafy vegetable that makes Popeye strong.
    Very prevelant in the States for salads.

  22. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by Maanaam
    I would love to know the Thai name
    I think it's ชะมดต้น

    Drop that into Google and you get a few link to Thai herbs, pharmacie websites and some info on a Wikipedia page: https://th.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B8...B9%89%E0%B8%99

    Just a few other (Thai) links: https://medthai.com/%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%...9%89%E0%B8%99/ and Biodiversity and a link to buy (a local variety?): ?????????? ?????? ????????? 202861

  23. #23
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    Hmmm. Google certainly comes up with images of what looks like it, but my dictionary translates it as royal civet.
    Thanks for that...I'll get wifey to have a look tomorrow.
    Also, I notice it's the same family, but different species A.Moschatus, instead of A.Manihot.

  24. #24
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    My botanist friend got back to me. She said that we have it in PI, it's synonymous to A. Luzoniensis (Luzon is the biggest island, where Manila is situated). But she thinks that we don't use it as food here. She also hasn't seen it in the markets or mountains that she's visited.

  25. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by katie23 View Post
    My botanist friend got back to me. She said that we have it in PI, it's synonymous to A. Luzoniensis (Luzon is the biggest island, where Manila is situated). But she thinks that we don't use it as food here. She also hasn't seen it in the markets or mountains that she's visited.
    Perhaps she was going by the leaf shape, but it's not that.
    "A small tree up to 10 m tall, bole short, up to 40 cm in diameter, with prominent buttresses,"
    And I would guess if it did exist in PI then it would definitely have been known as a food.

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