Veli Cheera / Madhura Cheera

Breynia androgyna Plant Details

🔹 Scientific Classification

• Scientific Name: Breynia androgyna

• Family: Phyllanthaceae

• Common Names:

  • English – Star Gooseberry, Katuk, Sweet Leaf Bush, Tropical Asparagus

  • Malayalam – Madhura Cheera / Madhuracheera

  • Tamil – Agathi Keerai 

 Plant Description

• Type: Perennial shrub

• Height: 2–3 meters tall if not pruned

• Leaves: Small, oval, dark green, edible, arranged alternately

• Flowers: Tiny, reddish or purplish, inconspicuous

• Growth Habit: Fast-growing, bushy, evergreen shrub

• Taste: Tender leaves have a mild, sweet, nutty flavor

 Care & Cultivation

• Sun Light: Prefers partial shade but tolerates full sun

• Soil: Fertile, well-drained, organically rich soil

• Water: Moderate; keep soil moist but not waterlogged

• Harvesting: Regular plucking of young shoots encourages bushy growth

 Nutritional Value

• Rich in protein, iron, vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, and dietary fiber

• Considered one of the most nutritious leafy greens in Southeast Asia

 Uses

Culinary Uses

• Leaves and young shoots eaten as a vegetable (raw, stir-fried, or in soups).

• Popular in South and Southeast Asian cuisines.

• In Kerala, tender leaves are added to curries and stir-fries.

Medicinal / Traditional Uses

• Used in Ayurveda and folk medicine for:

  • latational support in nursing mothers

  • Improving digestion and relieving constipation

  • Reducing fatigue and boosting energy

  • Blood purification

• Rich nutrition makes it a natural immune booster