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Xanthophyllum lanceatum

(Miq.) J. J. Sm.

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Xanthophyllum lanceatum is a tree in the Polygalaceae family. It grows across Southeast Asia from Sumatera to Bangladesh. The leaves are used as a hops-substitute in beer making and the wood as fuel. Fish in the Mekong regularly eat the fruit, flowers and leaves.

Description

A shrub or small tree. It grows 3-12 m tall. The trunk can be 18-20 cm across.

This description is brief — help expand it

Edible Uses

The oil extracted from the seeds is used in food preparation.

Traditional Uses

The oil from the seed is used in preparing food.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The leaves have been used as a hops-substitute in beer making. The wood is used as firewood. The bark is used in folk medicine to treat chickenpox. The extract from the fruit displayed excellent inhibitory activity against the plant-pathogenic fungus Magnaporthe grisea.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows along streams and in swamps. It grows in lowland rainforests up to 500 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Asia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, SE Asia, Thailand,

Other Uses

An oil obtained from the seed is used for making candles and soap.

Notes

Also put in the Xanthophyllaceae family.

Synonyms

Skaphium lanceatum Miq.

Also Known As

Kam-gaw, Lanthan, Thit-kayin, Thit-pyu, Thit-sagwe

References (3)

  • Fern, K., 2012, Tropical Species Database http://theferns.info/tropical/
  • Khumgratok, S., Edible Plants in Cultural Forests of Northeastern Thailand. Mahasarakham University Thailand.
  • World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

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