Family: Hypoxidaceae
Origin, Description & Uses
Curculigo latifolia (curculigo, lemboh, palm grass, weevil lily) is a tropical understory plant native to southern China (Guangdong) and extending through Malesia. It is a clumping, herb-like perennial with long, strap-shaped leaves that resemble a small palm or grass-like rosette. The plant produces small, yellow flowers close to the ground, followed by distinctive fruits with a sweet, jelly-like translucent pulp surrounding the seeds. In its native range, the fruit is sometimes eaten fresh, and the plant has also been used in traditional settings as an ornamental groundcover and for its edible and cultural value.
Risks & Threats
This species is generally considered to have a low risk of becoming invasive. It does not appear to spread aggressively or form dense, disruptive stands in most environments where it is grown. However, as with many introduced tropical ornamentals and edible plants, there is always some uncertainty about its behavior outside its native range, particularly in warm, wet island ecosystems like Hawaiʻi where plants may perform differently. Careful observation is still recommended, but at present Curculigo latifolia is not known to pose significant ecological threats.
High Risk Traits:
- Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
- Thrives in tropical climates
- Shade-tolerant
- A geophyte, able to resprout from tuberous, underground stems
- Able to reproduce by seeds
- Spreads vegetatively
- Planted intentionally by people
- Limited ecological information reduces accuracy of risk prediction
Low Risk Traits:
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
- Palatable to browsing animals in native range
- Not reported to be toxic
- Ornamental
- Edible fruits
- Self-incompatible
- Reaches maturity in 4-10 years
