Litsea perrottetii

(Blume) Fern.-Vill.

Lauraceae Edible: Fruit 3 iNaturalist observations

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Description

A tropical tree in the Lauraceae family.

This description is brief — help expand it

Edible Uses

The fruit is eaten.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant.

Where It Grows

Asia, Philippines, SE Asia,

Cultivation

A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Other Uses

The heartwood is creamy white, easily staining to greenish gray or light brown if not rapidly seasoned; it is scarcely distinguishable from the sapwood. The texture is rather coarse; the grain somewhat crossed in broad belts. The wood is light in weight and soft; somewhat durable, but is occasionally attacked by insects. Except for staining, it seasons very well. It is very easy to work, taking a smooth and somewhat glossy surface under sharp tools. It is used for purposes such as panelling for doors, altars, wardrobes, carriages; ceiling and sheathing; musical instruments; cabinetwork; pyrography. There are a number of tree species (including this one) from Peninsular Malaysia that are in the family Lauraceae and produce a useful timber that is either not distinct enough in itself, or is in insufficient supply, to warrant being traded individually. These various species have been lumped together under the trade name ‘medang’. We do not have a specific description of the wood from this species, but a general description of medang timber is as follows:- The heartwood is very variable, from light-straw to red-brown and olive brown; the sapwood is ill-defined. The texture is moderately fine but even; the grain interlocked or wavy; the surface dull. The wood is soft to moderately hard, not very durable. It is easy to slightly difficult to resaw, and easy to moderately easy to cross-cut; easy to plane and the surface produced is smooth to moderately smooth. It is suitable for decorative work such as interior finishing, panelling, furniture and cabinet making. It is also suitable for plywood manufacture, whilst the heavier species are suitable for medium construction under cover.