How to Grow and Care for Leea

Leea (Leea guineensis) is a plant species native to Southeast Asia. Leea is also known as west Indian holly. This species is often planted in landscaping for ornamental purposes.

Bandicoot berry (Leea indica) is a large shrub or small tree that's grown ornamentally for its unusual green-white flowers which attract butterflies and other pollinating insects. It is also harvested and used as green manure within its native region. Its purplish-black fruit is eaten by various birds, but most commonly by bulbuls.

The red tree shrub is named for its bright red flowers with a central golden disc. This shrub is a popular garden plant for its bright flowers, hardy nature, hedge-forming capability, and ability to attract birds and butterflies. This plant's Latin name, Leea rubra commemorates the horticulturalist Mr. James Lee (1715 - 1795).

Large-leaf leea is a shrub-like perennial plant that can become somewhat woody. Though very rare, it is harvested from the wild for local use, and occasionally cultivated more purposefully as well. It is used for its tuberous root that gives a red dye, commonly used for cloth.

Leea philippinensis is a tropical understory shrub known for its dark green, pinnate leaves that fan outwards, resembling an open hand. Distinctively, its foliage may contain splashes of red, reflecting an adaptation to low-light forest floors. Tiny white or pinkish flowers cluster into showy inflorescences, which often attract pollinators, and its berries provide food for various bird species. This plant thrives in moist, well-drained soils, indicating its preference for humid environments.