Wild Rhea (Debregeasia longifolia)

Family: Urticaceae | Edibility: Edible (1/5)

Debregeasia longifolia is an evergreen Shrub growing to 5 m (16ft 5in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from October to February. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. The fruit is up to 12mm in diameter. — Fruit - raw or cooked.; The fruit is up to 12mm in diameter.

Habitat & North American Range

Mainly found on old cultivated land to 2100 metres in the Himalayas. Along the banks of streams at elevations of 500 - 2200 metres in Nepal. (Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10)