Xylocarpus rumphii

(Kostel.) Mabb.

Meliaceae Edible: Fruit Potential hazards — see below 28 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Xylocarpus rumphii is a small tree in the mahogany family Meliaceae which is native to coastlines of Madagascar, southeast Asia, Queensland, and the southwestern Pacific islands.

Description

A small tree. It grows 4-12 m tall. The roots clasp large boulders on the rocky shore. The fruit are 8-10 cm across. They contain 5-20 seeds.

This description is brief — help expand it

Edible Uses

The fruit peel is added to soups.

Traditional Uses

The peel of the fruit is added to soups.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The dried fruit peel is used as an appetizer. The astringent bark has some medicinal uses. It is reported to cure dysentery, diarrhoea and other abdominal troubles, and is also used as a febrifuge. A large piece of the bark is stripped from the tree then heated on an open fire until it is very hot. This piece of bark is then tied to the back of the patient before they go to bed in the evening. It is said tyo be an effective treatment for backaches and inflammation of the vertebrae. The soft leaves are chewed and then swallowed. This is said to produce general well-being and a strengthening of the body. The leaves are boiled then the liquid cooled and used as a wash to ease strong coughs. The seeds are used medicinally.

Known Hazards

None mentioned

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It suits the wet lowlands. It grows on cliffs near rocks and close to mangroves. It can tolerate salt.

Where It Grows

Africa, Asia, Australia, Malaysia, New Guinea, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Singapore,

Cultivation

A plant of the wet, lowland tropics. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 18 - 35°c, but can tolerate 7 - 39°c. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 2,000 - 4,000mm, but tolerates 1,600 - 5,000mm. Grows best in a sunny position. Prefers a fertile, loamy to heavy soil. Tolerates high levels of salt in the soil. Prefers a pH in the range 6.5 - 7, tolerating 5.5 - 7.5. Tolerant of salt-laden winds. The trees often produce basal suckers when they are damaged, and plants can sometimes develop several trunks. Flowers are functionally unisexual, male flowers having a non-functional, rather slender ovary, female flowers having non-functional stamens either never dehiscent or with sterile pollen. It has been observed that certain individuals, although flowering profusely, never produce fruit; this suggests that dioecism sometimes occurs. The corky testa of the seed represents an adaption to dispersal by water, and seeds may start to germinate while still floating.

Other Uses

The bark is a fairly rich source of tannins. It is used for strengthening rope that needs to be used in the water. The bark is sometimes used to dye cloth brown. The red-brown wood is very hard, strong and durable. A good mahogany-like timber, but as the trunk is usually crooked and hollow, long straight pieces often cannot be cut. It is used for making small objects such as pins, tool handles etc, and house posts. When large enough pieces are available they are used for boat-building and construction as well as for good quality furniture. The wood is also used for firewood.