Leea guineensis aka Susumasa (Akan Name, From Ghana)

Leea guineensis is an evergreen shrub or small tree. It belongs to Vitaceae, the grape family. It is native to tropical Africa and Asia. Its range also includes islands in the western Pacific. Other names are West Indian holly and Hawaiian holly. It grows under taller trees in moist, shaded forests. It also grows where forest has grown back. Its form varies. Some plants have a creeping rootstock.

Outdoor garden plants reach about 5–20 feet (1.5–6.1 metres) tall. Their spread can reach 9 feet (2.74 metres). Broader reports give heights of 33 feet (10 metres). Indoor plants stay smaller, around 4–8 feet (1.2–2.4 metres) tall. The plant grows upright or somewhat upright. Its leaves are compound, with several leaflets on each leaf. They are pinnate, with leaflets along a central stalk. Each leaf has a leaflet at its tip. New leaves emerge light green. The evergreen leaves give it value all year.

The flowers are reddish-orange on the outside. Their inner parts are yellowish-orange. They bloom by season, with no set range of months. Both flowers and fruit add interest to the plant. Bees and flies pollinate the flowers. Gardeners grow this species chiefly for its leaves. In frost-free gardens, it serves as a loose hedge. It also suits sites near buildings or as a specimen. Gardeners can grow it in containers, too. People have also used it for indoor displays in shopping malls.

Grow it in partial shade, though it tolerates deep shade. Give it rich soil that holds moisture but drains well. Keep the soil evenly moist, and do not let it dry. Shelter it from winds that dry its leaves. Feed it with fertilizer at regular times to support growth. It grows outdoors in USDA zones 10–11, where frost does not occur. It needs humid air, which can make indoor care hard. Heated rooms may be too dry in winter. Keep indoor temperatures above 50°F. Grow new plants from seed, stem cuttings, or air layering.

Reports note few major insect or disease problems. Too much moisture can lead to leaf spot. Missouri Botanical Garden warns against eating the leaves and berries. They are poisonous and may also irritate skin. Useful Tropical Plants lists no known edible uses or hazards. This does not mean the plant is safe. Folk medicine uses its roots, twigs, and leaves for wounds and pain. These records describe folk uses. They do not prove that such treatment is safe.