Baccaurea sumatrana

(Miq.) Mull.Arg.

Phyllanthaceae Edible: Fruit 2 iNaturalist observations

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Description

A shrub or small tree. It grows 15-40 m tall. The plants are separately male and female. The fruit are oval and yellow to red. They are 1.7 cm long by 1 cm wide.

Edible Uses

Although we have no specific record of edibility for this species, the fruits of all members of this genus are said to be edible, with a flavour that can be acid to sweet. The yellow-red, ellipsoid fruits are up to 17mm long and 10mm wide.

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 from sea level to 1,550 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Asia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand,

Cultivation

Plants are found in the wild on sand or sandy clay soils. Plants can produce fruit throughout 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. The wood is used for timber. 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.