Phaleria macrocarpa

(Scheff.) Boerl.

The great gora tree, God's crown tree

Thymelaeaceae Edible: Fruit, Caution Potential hazards — see below 171 iNaturalist observations

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iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Phaleria macrocarpa is a species of flowering plant in the family Thymelaeaceae. It is commonly called buah mahkota dewa, God's crown, pau and is a dense evergreen tree, indigenous to Indonesia. It is found in tropical areas of New Guinea up to 1,200 m (3,900 ft) above sea level.

Description

A small tree. It grows 6-18 m tall. The young branches are hollow. The leaves are narrowly oval and 10-25 cm long by 3-10 cm wide. They are smooth, opposite and papery. There are 6-11 pairs of veins. The flowering shoots are at the ends of branches and in the axils of leaves or on the trunks. There can be 2-8 flowers in a group. The flowers are 2-4 cm long. The fruit is about 3-5 cm long by 3-4 cm across and oval. The fruit are green and turn red when ripe. The seeds are 1.5 cm long by 1.3 cm wide.

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten but requires careful processing; it is used primarily as medicine rather than food.

Traditional Uses

The fruit is poisonous unless processed and then probably only as medicine.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The fruit is used medicinally and is valued as an antioxidant with documented medicinal benefits.

Known Hazards

The fruit is poisonous unless processed.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows from sea level to about 550 m and occasionally to 1,000 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Asia, Indonesia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, SE Asia,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Production

Plants produce fruit about one year after planting.

Notes

It is an anti-oxidant and popular as medicine. It has been shown to have a range of medicinal benefits.

Synonyms

Phaleria papuana Warb. ex K. Schum. & Lauterb.

Also Known As

Mahkota dewa, Pau, Pohon gora agung, Pohon mahkota dewa

References (3)

Hendra, R., et al, 2011, Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory and Cytotoxicity of Phaleria macrocarpa (Boerl.) Scheff Fruit. http://www.biomedcentral.com
May, R.J., 1984, Kaikai Aniani. A Guide to Bush Foods Markets and Culinary Arts of Papua New Guinea. Robert Brown and Associates. p 81 (As Phalena) - (Phaleria papuana)
Sukarya, D. G., (Ed.) 2013, 3,500 Plant Species of the Botanic Gardens of Indonesia. LIPI p 442