Sauropus androgynus

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For the place in Afghanistan, see Katok.
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Sauropus androgynous
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Phyllanthaceae
Tribe: Phyllantheae
Subtribe: Flueggeinae
Genus: Sauropus
Species: S. androgynous
Binomial name
Sauropus androgynous

Sauropus androgynous, also known as katuk, star gooseberry, or sweet leaf, is a shrub grown in some tropical regions as a leaf vegetable.

Its multiple upright stems can reach 2.5 m high and bear dark green oval leaves 5–6 cm long.

It is one of the most popular leaf vegetables in South Asia and Southeast Asia and is notable for high yields and palatability. The shoot tips have been sold as tropical asparagus.

There have been reports of toxicity following excessive consumption. Severe lung damage manifested by a condition called bronchiolitis obliterans has occurred in patients within months of consuming it.Some people have needed lung transplantation for this condition.

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