Biteks is a tropical plant widely found and growing in South America. It is traditionally used as a coloring and flavoring agent in Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Philippines. In Indonesia, it is found in Java, Madura, South Sulawesi, and Ambon. This plant also serves as a traditional medicine with good health benefits.

Grows in lowlands up to 1,200 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l.). This plant prefers open areas exposed to direct sunlight with year-round humidity, good drainage, and sufficiently fertile soil. It thrives in subtropical to tropical climates.

• Leaves: Simple (single), long stalk, oval-shaped (ovate), smooth margin, pinnate venation.

• Flower: Compound, pink or white color.

• Fruit: Resembles a rambutan, green when young and dark red when ripe, flattened, the tip appears cracked open so that the seeds can quickly disperse.

• Seed: Small, red color.

• Propagation: Generatively using seeds, and vegetatively using the air layering (cangkok) method.

Improves and maintains digestive health, reduces fever and influenza, strengthens bones, prevents cancer and neural tube defects, treats stomach pain, accelerates wound healing, treats diarrhea, dysentery, flatulence, and common cold (masuk angin).

Tannins, saponins, bixin, alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids, phenolics, glycosides, flavonoids, norbixin, beta carotene, cryptoxanthin, lutein, benzoic acid, acetic acid, pantolactone, cyanidin.