Prunus dolichobotrys

(Lauterb. & K. Schum.) Kalkman

Rosaceae Edible: Leaves - flavouring Potential hazards — see below

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Summary

Source: Wikipedia

Prunus dolichobotrys is a species of Prunus native to New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, and the Raja Ampat Islands. It is a tree reaching 30 m, and is morphologically very similar to Prunus gazelle‑peninsulae, aside from their fruit. Native people use its leaves in soups and other dishes for their flavor.

Description

A tree. It grows 30 m tall. The trunk is 25-40 cm across. It can have small buttresses. The leaves are 12-26 cm long by 5-13 cm wide. The fruit are 8-12 mm long by 5-7 mm wide. They are red when ripe.

Edible Uses

The leaves are used for flavouring in soups and other dishes and should be cooked before consumption.

Traditional Uses

The leaves are used in soups and other dishes for flavouring. They should be cooked.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Known Hazards

The plant (especially the seed and young shoots) contains cyanogenic glycosides, especially amygdalin and prunasin. When injested, these compounds break down in the digestive tract to release cyanide. Used in small quantities in both traditional and conventional medicine, this exceedingly poisonous compound has been shown to stimulate respiration, improve digestion, and promote a sense of well-being. It is also claimed by some to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer - though this claim has been largely refuted. In larger concentrations, however, cyanide can cause gasping, weakness, excitement, pupil dilation, spasms, convulsions, coma and respiratory failure leading to death. The fruits and flowers of most members of this genus generally have low or very low concentrations of this toxin, though the seeds and young shoots can contain much higher levels. The levels of toxin can be detected by the level of bitterness:- for example sweet tasting almond seeds are a major food crop and are often eaten in quantity, whilst bitter tasting almond seeds are used as a flavouring (in marzipan for example) but are not usually eaten on their own. In general, it can be considered safe to eat any fruit or seed from species in this genus that either have a sweet flavour or are slightly bitter. Great caution should be taken, however, if the flavour is moderately to very bitter.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant.

Where It Grows

Papua New Guinea, PNG,

Propagation

Seed - requires 2 - 3 months cold stratification and is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Sow stored seed in a nursery seedbed as early in the year as possible. Protect the seed from mice etc. The seed can be rather slow, sometimes taking 18 months to germinate. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Grow them on until large enough to plant out Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel in a frame. Softwood cuttings from strongly growing plants in a frame. Layering