Tetrameles nudiflora

Description

A large tree. It grows 25-50 m tall. The bark is shiny brown. It loses its leaves during the year. The leaves are heart shaped and 11-17 cm long by 9-12 cm wide. The flowering shoots are 8-20 cm long. They are usually produced when the tree is leafless. The fruit is a round or urn shaped capsule. It is 4-5 mm long. There are many very small seeds.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows from sea level to 500 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam,

Cultivation

The tree is restricted to regions with a more or less well pronounced dry season. Prefers a deep, humus-rich grey soil. Trees are not resistant to forest fires.

Other Uses

The wood is light brown-grey with no distinction between heartwood or sapwood. Although it is available in large dimensions, is of an inferior quality. It is suitable for temporary buildings, wooden boxes (and matches?). Traditionally it is used for making canoes. The canoes are rubbed in oil and, when used in salt water, can last 8 - 10 years.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Binong, Gangganan, Kajoolaboo, Maina, Ntoo lag, Payomko, Winong

References (5)

• Ferns, Useful Tropical plants.
• Savita, et al, 2006, Studies on wild edible plants of ethnic people in east Sikkim. Asian J. of Bio Sci. (2006) Vol. 1 No. 2 : 117-125
• Trimanto, & Hapsari L., 2016, Botanical survey in thirteen montane forests of Bawean Island Nature Reserve, East Java Indonesia: Conservation status, bioprospecting and potential tourism. Biodiversitas 17: 832-846.
• Van Sam, H. et al, 2004, Trees of Laos and Vietnam: A Field Guide to 100 Economically or Ecologically Important Species. Blumea 29 (2004) 201-349
• Whitney, C. W., et al, 2014, Conservation and Ethnobotanical Knowledge of a Hmong Community in Long Lan, Luang Prabang, Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Ethnobotany Research and Applications 12:643-658