Katuk (Sauropus Androgynus)

Katuk, Star Gooseberry, Sweetleaf, or Tropical Asparagus, is a multi-stemmed, evergreen shrub native to India, Southeast Asia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. It grows up to 8 feet tall with dark green leaves growing along its long, pendant branches. White male and red female flowers bloom in the leaf axils during the summer and fall, forming purple fruits with small black seeds. All parts of this beautiful shrub are edible and cultivated as a high-yield crop.

Katuk is mainly used as a tropical vegetable for its leaves that are high in protein and have a sweet, nutty flavor. They can be eaten raw or cooked, in salads, soups, steamed, or stir-fries. The young shoots are harvested and steamed as tropical asparagus, and the flowers and fruits can be eaten raw or cooked. In Indonesia, the leaves are believed to improve the flow of breast milk for breastfeeding mothers.

Katuk will grow in partial to full shade in damp, well-draining soil. Regular pruning is recommended to encourage tender, new shoots that can be harvested. It is hardy in USDA zones 9 to 11.