Sweet Leaf or Japan Batu (in Sinhalese) is a small woody plant grow up to 1 or 2 metre height that naive plant to Sri Lanka India and several other Asian Countries. It has important medicinal properties and is a popular leaf vegetable in Southeast Asia such as Japan China India Indonesia. The plant found on Sri Lanka as a weed on Back Yards, Scrubs, Waste lands in Wet Zone and Intermediate Zone. It is well grows in shady place with wet soil but not cultivate in Sri Lanka more over, not used in as a leaf vegetable or as a medicinal plant. But additionally, this plant can be grow on a home gardens as an ornamental plant.

Fruits of Sweet Leaf - Japan Batu or Katuk

Common Classification
Common Names	Katuk, Star Gooseberry, Malay Cheera, Asin-Asin, Mani Cai, Amame
Scientific Name	Sauropus androgynus
Sinhalese Name	Japan Batu
Scientific Classification
Family	Phyllanthaceae
Genus	Sauropus androgynus
Species	Sauropus androgynus
Synonym	Aalius sumatrana, Sauropus zeylanicus , Sauropus lanceolatus, Sauropus indicus
Ecology
Category	Weed-Herb-Ornamental-Wild-Vegetable
Growth Habit	Shrub
Duration	Perennial
Status - Native	Indigenous
Status (Controlling)	Natural
Propriety
Culinary / Edible	Yes
Use as Herb	Yes
Other Use	n/a
Poisoned / Toxin	No
Identification

Sapling of Sweet Leaf and fruits SLF 0000