Gen info
- Actinidiaceae is the most important family of edible wild fruits in the Cordilleras. There are three species viz. Saurauia sp. (soybo), S. elegans (uyok and S. sparsifolia (degway).

Botany
Saurauria elegans is a tree reaching a height of 20 feet. Twigs are covered with rough hairs. Leaves are 10.2 to 12.7 cm long and 2.7-3.4 cm wide at the base and coming to a point at the tip. Petioles are 1-1.5 cm long. Flowers are axillary; sepals 3.4 mm long; corolla 6.8 mm long. Stamens are numerous; styles are 3. Seeds are wrinkled and angular.

Distribution
- Native to the Philippines.
- Found in temperate and tropical regions of the Cordilleras.

Constituents
- Phytochemical screening of fruits yielded steroids, flavonoids, saponins, polyphenols and tannins, with absence of alkaloids and anthraquinones. (see study below) (5)

Properties
Study has shown antioxidant property.

Parts used
Fruit

Uses
Edibility
- Fruit is edible. Used for making candies, preserves, and juice.
- Fruit used as garnish and decorating dishes.
Folkloric
- In the Cordilleras, used for lung ailments. (4)
Others
- Forage : Fruits used as forage
- Rituals: Fruits used as offertory/
- Decorative: Fruit commonly used for decorating dishes.

Studies
• Phytochemicals / Antioxidant: Study of fruit has shown antioxidant property by DPPH assay. (see constituents above) (5)

Availability
Wild-crafted.

Additional Sources and Suggested Readings
(1)
Saurauia elegans / Synonyms / Plants of the World Online
(4)
Ethnp-botanical survey of edible wild fruits in Benguet, Cordillera administrative region, the Philippines / Racquel Tan Chua-Barcelo / Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomediciine, 2014; 5(Suppl 1): pp 525-538 / PMID: 25183144 / DOI: 10.12980/APJTB.4.201414B36
(5)
Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidant Activity of Edible Wild Fruits in Benguet, Cordiillera Admiinistravive Region, Philippines / Racquel Chua-Barcelo / Electronic Journal of Biology, 2015; 11(3): pp 80-89 / ISSN: 1860-3122

DOI: It is not uncommon for links on studies/sources to change. Copying and pasting the information on the search window or using the DOI (if available) will often redirect to the new link page. (Citing and Using a (DOI) Digital Object Identifier)