Elaeocarpus griffithii
(Wight) A. Gray
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Summary
Source: WikipediaElaeocarpus griffithii is a tree in the family Elaeocarpaceae. It is found in parts of Island and Mainland Southeast Asia. It is used in construction, as firewood and in dyeing.
Description
A tree. It grows 16 m tall. The leaves are alternate and simple. The flowers are 14 mm across. They are green to white. The fruit are about 1 cm long. They are green to blue and fleshy.
Edible Uses
The fruit is eaten.
Medicinal Uses
The bark is used to produce an antimalaria medicine.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. It grows on alluvial soils. It can be in swamps. It grows up to 1,000 m above sea level. It can be on poor soils and on limestone.
Where It Grows
Asia, Andaman Islands, Brunei, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Sarawak, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam,
Cultivation
The plant grows mainly on ultrabasic or poor sandy soils in the wild, but also on limestone. We have no more specific information for this species, but members of this genus generally grow well in full sun to moderate shade, requiring a fertile, moist but well-drained soil.
Propagation
The seed of most species in this genus is covered by a hard, woody shell and can be very slow and erratic to germinate, sometimes taking 2 years or more. Filing down the shell, or cracking it (being very careful not to damage the seed) in order to allow the ingress of moisture can help to greatly speed up germination. Sow the seed in containers in light shade. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and grow them on until large enough to plant out, Cuttings of almost ripe shoots, in a sandy soil in a frame. The leaves should be left on the stem.. Many species strike readily from cuttings.
Other Uses
The heartwood is light-yellowish white to pink-brown, it is not distinctly demarcated from the sapwood. The texture is moderately fine and even, with straight to shallowly interlocked grain. The wood is soft to moderately hard; light in weight to moderately heavy; weak; not very durable. It seasons fairly slowly with slight end and surface checking; shrinkage is fairly low. It is easy to resaw and cross-cut; planing is easy and leaves a moderately smooth finish; nailing properties are good. A general purpose wood, it is suitable for purposes such as general planking, shuttering, boxes, crates, wooden pallets, match splints, veneer and plywood.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Com griffith, Datar, Emperdu, Insibar, Kalamin-kye, Makauksan, Perawa, Perdu
References (2)
- Chai, P. P. K. (Ed), et al, 2000, A checklist of Flora, Fauna, Food and Medicinal Plants. Lanjak Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary, Sarawak. Forestry Malaysia & ITTO. p 167
- Slik, F., www.asianplant.net
