Katuk
Sauropus androgynus
Katuk (Sauropus androgynus), also known as sweet leaf bush or star gooseberry, is a tropical perennial shrub in the Phyllanthaceae family whose leaves are among the most protein-rich of any edible plant in the world. Prized across Southeast Asia for its sweet, nutty-flavored leaves that can be eaten raw or cooked, katuk is gaining recognition as one of the most promising perennial vegetables for tropical food security.
• Leaves contain up to 6 to 10% protein by fresh weight — among the highest of any leaf vegetable
• The common name "sweet leaf" comes from the remarkably pleasant, sweet, nutty flavor of raw leaves
• One of the few tropical vegetables that can be eaten raw as a salad green with no bitterness
• A single established plant can provide daily greens for years with minimal care
• The genus name Sauropus means "lizard-like" in Greek, possibly referencing the reptilian appearance of the fruit
• Widely cultivated throughout Southeast Asia for millennia
• Traditional food plant in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines
• In Vietnam, known as "rau ngót" and is a staple home-garden vegetable
• In Malaysia and Indonesia, called "cangkok manis" (sweet leaf) and used extensively in local cuisine
• Has spread to tropical Africa, the Pacific islands, and Central America through cultivation
• Remains relatively unknown outside tropical regions despite its exceptional nutritional qualities
Stems:
• Erect to spreading, typically 1.5 to 3 meters tall, occasionally reaching 5 meters
• Multiple stems arise from the base, forming a dense bush
• Young stems are green and slightly succulent; older stems become woody
Leaves:
• Alternate, simple, ovate to elliptical, 3 to 8 cm long and 1.5 to 4 cm wide
• Dark green, glossy, with a slightly leathery texture
• Prominent venation on the lower surface
• Sweet and nutty when eaten raw — unique among tropical greens
Flowers:
• Very small, reddish to maroon, borne in clusters in leaf axils
• Unisexual; both male and female flowers on the same plant (androgynous, reflected in the species epithet)
• Inconspicuous but present year-round in tropical conditions
Fruit:
• Small, fleshy, globular capsules approximately 1 to 1.5 cm in diameter
• Green when young, turning whitish or pale pink when mature
• Resemble tiny gooseberries (hence the common name "star gooseberry")
• Contain small seeds
• Per 100 g fresh leaves: approximately 50 to 75 kcal
• Exceptionally high protein content for a leaf: 5 to 10 g per 100 g fresh weight
• Excellent source of vitamin A (beta-carotene) — one of the richest vegetable sources
• Good source of vitamin C (approximately 130 mg per 100 g — higher than oranges)
• Significant vitamin E and B vitamins
• High calcium content (approximately 200 to 300 mg per 100 g)
• Good source of iron and potassium
• Contains dietary fiber
• Rich in antioxidant compounds
• Provides phosphorus and magnesium
• The combination of high protein, calcium, and vitamins makes it one of the most nutritionally complete leaf vegetables
Planting:
• Propagated from stem cuttings 15 to 25 cm long, planted directly in moist soil
• Can also be grown from seed, though cuttings are faster and more reliable
• Space plants 30 to 50 cm apart for hedge formation, or 1 meter apart for individual bushes
• Plant at any time of year in tropical regions
Growing:
• Thrives in full sun to partial shade; tolerates heavy shade (making it ideal for food forests)
• Adaptable to most soil types but prefers rich, moist, well-drained soils
• Fast-growing once established; reaches harvestable size in 2 to 3 months
• Perennial bush that produces for many years with minimal care
• Tolerates pruning heavily — regrows rapidly
• Moderate drought tolerance once established
• Few pest problems
Harvest:
• Begin harvesting tips and young leaves 2 to 3 months after planting
• Pick tender shoot tips with 3 to 5 leaves for best quality
• Regular harvesting encourages branching and fresh growth
• Can be harvested continuously year-round in tropical climates
• Yields of 3 to 5 kg of fresh leaves per plant per year are achievable
Culinary Uses:
• Eaten raw: one of the few tropical greens pleasant enough to eat straight from the bush as a snack
• Added to salads for a sweet, nutty crunch
• In Vietnam, the primary ingredient in "canh rau ngót" — a sweet leaf soup with minced pork
• Stir-fried with eggs, garlic, or dried shrimp across Southeast Asia
• In Malaysia, "sayur cangkok manis" is stir-fried with eggs and belacan (shrimp paste)
• Added to curries, soups, and stews in the last minutes of cooking
• Young shoots steamed and served as a side dish
• Leaves blended into nutritious green smoothies
Other Uses:
• Used in traditional Vietnamese medicine to promote lactation in nursing mothers
• In Indonesian traditional medicine, used to treat fevers and urinary problems
• Planted as a living fence or hedge in tropical gardens
• Excellent fodder for poultry and livestock
• Used in permaculture designs as an understory food plant in food forests
Fun Fact
Katuk holds the remarkable distinction of being one of the few tropical leaf vegetables that children actually enjoy eating raw — the leaves are so sweet and pleasant that in Vietnam, parents commonly grow katuk bushes specifically so their children can snack on the leaves straight from the plant.
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