What is this leafy vegetable?

[Jingthing]

If you please ... what is the romanized Thai name.

What is it in English?

Sorry the picture of the actual leaves are not clear but the label is:

Posted it here rather than Thai food forum because I don't even know if this green is common in Thai cooking or not.

[Jingthing]

Also, could someone post the Thai script text of the label here and then I can google it?

[friendlyfiend]

ผักหวาน - P̄hakh̄wān

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sauropus_androgynus

[Jingthing]

Thanks.

That must be it!

From google, I think these leaves are probably the same thing. I googled the Chinese name:

There is a reason I'm asking.

I'm still a little obsessed on finding two vegetables I've never found here.

Roselle leaves (used widely in BURMESE cooking)

The tastes is AMAZING (sour)

And also the Chinese classic, Snow pea LEAVES.

Theoretically both should be available in Thailand as they have roselle and snow peas here, but so far, no luck in Pattaya markets.

Edited November 21, 2014 by Jingthing

[AyG]

Phak waan refers to two different species. Sauropus androgynus (as friendlyfiend intimated) and Melientha suavis. I rather suspect the photo is of the latter, though it's not really clear.

[Kanga Japan]

Regarding PHAK WAN, my understanding is that there are 3 types:

1. PHAK WAN (ผักหวาน)

English name: sweet vegetable, sweet leaf (no other English names found)

Scientific name: Melientha suavis

2. PHAK WAN BAN (ผักหวานบ้าน)

English name: star gooseberry, katuk

Scientific name: Sauropus androgynus

3. PHAK WAN PA (ผักหวานป่า)

English name: sweet vegetable (wild), sweet leaf (wild) (no other English names found)

Scientific name: Melientha sauvis (opiliaceae)

Apparently PHAK WAN and PHAK WAN PA are plants which just have leaves and PHAK WAN BAN is a plant which has leaves and fruits, however the main part used in cooking is the leaves.

I understand that the fruits of PHAK WAN BAN are eaten in Indonesia. Are these also eaten in Thailand?

If anyone can confirm that the above descriptions are correct, and also my question on the fruits, I would appreciate it. My understanding, after much research, is that they are correct.

Thank you for your help.

[Kanga Japan]

Can anyone provide me with the Thai script for SNOW PEA LEAVES?

Thank you.

[AyG]

I have a PHAK WAN BAN plant growing outside my house in Ayutthaya. A visitor told me that the fruit were edible and we both tried one. Rather sour. He also told me that they can be used in curries as a souring agent, much as tamarind water and lime juice are.