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Baccaurea odoratissima

Elmer

gbif· cc0

President and Fellows of Harvard College

gbif· cc0

President and Fellows of Harvard College

gbif· cc0

President and Fellows of Harvard College

Baccaurea odoratissima is a species of plant in the family Phyllanthaceae. It is endemic to the Philippines.

Description

A small tree. It grows 15 m tall. The leaves are crowded at the ends of twigs. The leaves are alternate and simple. The flowers are 1.1 mm across. They are yellow. The fruit are about 12 mm long. They are orange red. They grown on the trunks. The seeds have a blue fleshy layer or aril.

Edible Uses

The fruit is eaten.

Medicinal Uses

We have no specific information on this species, but the bark of several members of this genus is used to relieve eye inflammation.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows in forest up to 1,200 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Asia, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, SE Asia,

Cultivation

Plants grow in the wild on basalt, yellow sandy clay and blackish sandstone soils. Plants can flower fruit through most of the year. A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Propagation

Seed - when sown fresh it usually germinates in a few days.

Other Uses

We have no specific information for this species, but the bark of several members of this genus is used, along with other ingredients, as a dyestuff to colour silk yellow, red or mauve, using the dyeing process known as 'pekan' in Malay. Although we have no specific information for this species, most members of this genus produce an excellent timber, which can be used to build houses and boats and to make furniture. In common with other trees that produce their flowers and fruits on the trunk of the tree, members of this genus are generally considered to be good support trees for the climbing rattan palms, which are grown to provide material for basket making, weaving into furniture, making ropes etc.

Synonyms

Baccaurea membranacea Pax & K. Hoffm.Baccaurea trunciflora Merr.

Also Known As

Botung kratek, Engkuni, Enkunig, Enkuri, Kukunal, Kunau, Kunau-kunau, Kune madamayam, Mata kunau, Mata pelanduk, Rambai tikus, Sarotik, Tampoi keli

References (2)

  • Reis, S. V. and Lipp, F. L., 1982, New Plant Sources for Drugs and Foods from the New York Botanical Garden herbarium. Harvard. p 154 (As Baccaurea membranacea)
  • Slik, F., www.asianplant.net

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