Introduction and Uses 9
1.3.3 Flower and Stem
Sprays of male flowers are sold in Asian and Indonesian markets and in New Guinea
after boiling with several changes of water to remove bitterness and then eating as a
vegetable. In Indonesia, the flowers are sometimes candied. Young stems are cooked
and served in Africa. Older stems are grated after peeling, the bitter juice squeezed
out, and the mash mixed with sugar and salt (Saran and Choudhary 2013).