Dichapetalum timoriense
(DC.) Boerl.
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Tjut Jul Fatisa Bangun
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Tjut Jul Fatisa Bangun
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MBG
Description
A slender straggly shrub. It can also be a climber. The stems are 3-5 cm across. The young branches are covered with soft rusty coloured hairs. The leaves are 7-18 cm long by 3-10 cm wide. The young leaves are edible. Flower clusters are in the axils of leaves. The flower clusters are 2-4 cm long with flowers about 0.4 cm long. They are dull and hairy. Flowers can be of one or both sexes. Fruit are 1.5-2.5 cm across and pear-shaped. They are yellow or golden brown. They contain 1-3 seeds.
Edible Uses
The young leaves and fruit are eaten.
Traditional Uses
The young leaves and fruit are eaten. CAUTION: The leaves are poisonous.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Known Hazards
The leaves are poisonous.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. It does best in a well drained soil and a partly shaded position.
Where It Grows
Asia, Australia*, East Timor, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, SE Asia, Timor-Leste,
Cultivation
Plants can be grown from seed. They can possibly also be grown from cuttings.
Other Uses
A fibre obtained from the stem bark is used for making nets.
Notes
Young branches are used as ropes. There are 200 Dichapetalum species. Most are in Africa.
Synonyms
References (8)
- Burkill, I.H., 1966, A Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Vol 1 (A-H) p 815
- Cooper, W. and Cooper, W., 2004, Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Nokomis Editions, Victoria, Australia. p 150
- Cowie, I, 2006, A Survey of Flora and vegetation of the proposed Jaco-Tutuala-Lore National Park. Timor-Lests (East Timor) www.territorystories.nt/gov.au p 46
- Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1984, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 3. Lothian. p 263
- Heyne, K., 1927 p 902
Show all 8 references Hide references
- Leenhouts, P.W., 1957, Dichapetalaceae in Flora Malesiana 5(3) p 307
- Peekel, P.G., 1984, (Translation E.E.Henty), Flora of the Bismarck Archipelago for Naturalists, Division of Botany, Lae, PNG. p 289, 288
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
