Baccaurea trigonocarpa
Merr.
gbif· cc0
President and Fellows of Harvard College
gbif· cc0
President and Fellows of Harvard College
gbif· cc0
President and Fellows of Harvard College
Description
A shrub or small tree. It grows 4-15 m tall. The trunk is 5-38 cm across. Plants are separately male and female. The fruit are round and 1.5 cm across.
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 globose fruits are up to 15mm in diameter.
Traditional Uses
The fruit is probably edible.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
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 in rainforest from 30-1,200 m above sea level.
Where It Grows
Asia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sabah, SE Asia,
Cultivation
The plant is often found in the wild in Kerangas forest - a type of moist, heath forest found on acidic, sandy soils that are low in nutrients, especially nitrogen. Plants grow in the wild on sand, clay and loam soils. 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. Although we have no specific information for this species, most members of this genus produce an excellent timber, which can be used to build houses and boats and to make furniture. The wood is used for fuel. 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.
References (1)
- Ferns, Useful Tropical Plants.
