Gluta elegans

(Wall.) Kurz

Rengas, Rengas ayam

Anacardiaceae Edible: Seeds, Nuts Potential hazards — see below 1 iNaturalist observations

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Description

A tree. It grows 20 m tall. The trunk can be 26 cm across. The ark is grey and smooth. The new leaves are intense violet colour. The leaves are narrowly sword shaped and 6-18 cm long by 2-7 cm wide. The flower petals are white. The fruit are black and 4-5 cm long by 3-4 cm wide.

Edible Uses

Seeds and nuts are eaten.

Traditional Uses

CAUTION: The sap is poisonous.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Known Hazards

The sap is poisonous and can irritate the skin.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in evergreen forests up to 600 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Asia, Malaysia, Myanmar, SE Asia, Thailand,

Production

Flowering occurs throughout the year.

Notes

Caution: The sap can irritate the skin.

Synonyms

Syndesmis elegans Wall.

Also Known As

Rak

References (5)

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 1096
Chayamarit, K., 1994, Preliminary Checklist of the Family Anacardiaceae in Thailand. Thai For. Bull. 22:1-25
Flora Malesiana
Menninger, E.A., 1977, Edible Nuts of the World. Horticultural Books. Florida p 51
Wickens, G.E., 1995, Edible Nuts. FAO Non-wood forest products. FAO, Rome. p 106