Willughbeia edulis fruit
Willughbeia edulis
A sweet-fruited forest climber once tapped for its latex, used to make rubber.
Find it near DetroitGet to know it
Willughbeia edulis is a woody forest climber from South and Southeast Asia with round, yellow or orange fruit. The fruit is full of latex, yet its flesh is soft and sweet. Before para rubber came along, the same vine’s latex was made into rubber.
What it is
The fruit is a round or egg-shaped berry up to 6 cm (2.4 in) across, ripening yellow or orange. Inside are flattened, egg-shaped seeds up to about 1.5 cm (0.6 in) long.
Like the rest of the plant, the fruit is full of latex, but its flesh is soft and sweet. The species name, edulis, is Latin for edible, after those fruits.
Where it comes from
The vine is native from India and the Nicobar Islands through Bangladesh and mainland Southeast Asia to Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. Its range takes in Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.
In Peninsular Malaysia it goes by aguh, akar jitan or buah padang; in peninsular Thailand it's khui. In Singapore it grows in lowland forest and freshwater swamp forest, including Bukit Timah, and is critically endangered there.
How it's grown
This is a woody climber with long, branching tendrils and black, warty bark. Cut or damaged parts release white latex. Its fragrant flowers are white or yellow, often 3–12 to a cluster; insects pollinate them, and mammals eat the fruit. New plants can be raised from seed.
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What it tastes like
Ripe fruit (called dây gùi in Vietnam) is sweet-sour and distinctively aromatic, with soft sections inside; it's also described simply as soft and sweet.
The edible fruit is soft and sweet, despite being full of latex.
How to buy it
1ChooseFruit color
Ignore
- Fruit color
Ripe fruit can be yellow, orange or light green.
Detroit, Michigan
When it’s good hereUsual monthsJust arrivedAt their bestLast chanceAll yearWhere it is in its usual monthsToday, Oct 22Grown hereIn season in your stateShips fromIn season where it grows
5 names in 5 languages
- Aguhroot
- Dây guối taVietnamese
Cook it
Strange but trueNatureCustoms and culture
Sources
Sources
Willughbeia edulis fruit · Fruitopia · checked Sep 22, 2026
What we don't know yet
A botanical garden visit doesn't come with permission to pick fruit.