Helicia robusta

(Roxb.) R.Br. ex Wall.

Proteaceae Edible: Leaves Potential hazards — see below 2 iNaturalist observations

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Description

A large tree. It grows 17 m tall. The leaves are alternate and simple. There are often teeth along the edge. The flowers are 13 mm across. They are white to orange. The fruit are 3.5 cm across. They are fleshy and green to purple.

Edible Uses

The young shoots and leaves are eaten raw.

Traditional Uses

CAUTION: The fruit are poisonous. The young shoots are leaves are eaten raw.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Known Hazards

The fruit are poisonous.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in slightly open forest up to 1,200 m above sea level. It is often along rivers and in locations that are occasionally flooded.

Where It Grows

Asia, Brunei, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Other Uses

The wood is heavy and hard. It is used in house construction and for the shafts of axes. It is not a first class timber.

Notes

There are about 90 Helicia species mostly in SE Asia with some in N Australia.

Synonyms

Helicia castaneaefolia Meisn.Helicia cumingiana Presl.Helicia cumingiana var. parvifolia Merr.Helicia glabrata Meisn.Helicia integra Merr.Helicia integrifolia ElmerHelicia javanica BlumeHelicia longiflora Merr.Helicia oligophlebia Merr.Helicia philippinensis Meisn.Helicia travancorica Bedd. ex Hook.f.Helittophyllum javanicum BlumeRoupala glabrata Wall.Roupala robusta Roxb.Rupala serrata Reinw. ex Blume

Also Known As

Bronsop, Buak-buak, Buntal, Daukyan, Daukyat, Jaring jaringan jawa, Kendung, Korodo, Luan, Medang keladi, Medang lalang, Mot, Palis, Pohon kendung, Pohon maributan, Ponsch, Taukyat, Watutu

References (11)

Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 260
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 1151 (As Helicia javanica)
Heyne, K., 1927, p 588 (As Helicia javanica)
Martin, F.W. & Ruberte, R.M., 1979, Edible Leaves of the Tropics. Antillian College Press, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. p 215 (As Helicia javanica)
Ochse p 623 (As Helicia javanica)

Show all 11 references

Sleumer, H., 1955, Proteaceae in Flora Malesiana, Ser 1 Vol 5(2) p 184
Slik, F., www.asianplant.net
Sosef, M. S. M., Hong, L. T., & Prawirohatmodjo, S., (Eds.), 1998, Timber tree: Lesser-known timbers. Plant Resources of South-East Asia, 5(3), p 284
Sukarya, D. G., (Ed.) 2013, 3,500 Plant Species of the Botanic Gardens of Indonesia. LIPI p 318
Suwardi, A. B., et al, 2020, Wild edible fruits generate substantial income for local people of the Gunung Leuser National Park, Aceh Tamiang Region. Ethnobotany Research & Applications 20:11
World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew