Fauna
Plant

Red Leea

Leea rubra

Also known as Red Bandicoot Berry

Red leea illuminates tropical understories with brilliant scarlet flower stalks and deep red buds that open into soft pink or cream blossoms. Birds flock to its clusters of ripening purple-black berries, acting as primary dispersal agents across monsoon forests and rainforest edges. Distinctive glandular pearl bodies along the young stems secrete sugar-rich fluids, frequently attracting ants that defend the shrub from herbivorous insects.

TropicalShrubUnderstory
Red Leea reference1 / 7
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preySunlight, Water, Soil nutrients
Predators
  • Frugivorous birds
  • Fruit bats
  • Herbivorous caterpillars
ThreatsHabitat clearing, invasive weed competition, altered fire regimes
HabitatsRainforest understories, monsoon vine forests, gallery woodlands, coastal margins
Life span10–30 years
Classification
  1. OrderVitales
  2. FamilyVitaceae
  3. GenusLeea
  4. SpeciesLeea rubra
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Wild berries have toxic look-alikes; plant parts contain irritating calcium oxalate crystals and must not be ingested.
Why it is dangerous
Plant tissues contain microscopic calcium oxalate raphides that cause intense mouth burning, swelling, and digestive upset if swallowed.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for 2- to 4-pinnate leaves, vibrant red inflorescence stems, and clusters of small purple-black berries.
What to do
Observe foliage and berries without plucking or chewing plant parts.
Responsible observation
  • Photography: Highlight the contrast between fiery red flower stalks and dark green leaves in filtered sunlight.
  • Wildlife Watching: Inspect open flower heads for visiting native bees, butterflies, and nectar-feeding insects.
Related species
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