Bouea macrophylla Griff., Pl. Cantor in J. As.
Soc. Beng. 23 (1854)
(Latin for 'Large leaves')
Synonyms
Bouea gandaria Bl.; Tropidopetalum javanicum Turcz.
Description
Understorey tree up to 18 m tall and 44 cm dbh. Twigs glabrous. Stipules
absent. Leaves opposite, simple, penni-veined. Flowers ca. 2 mm in diameter,
yellow coloured, placed in panicles. Fruits ca. 30 mm long, orange-red fleshy
drupes.
Ecology
Undisturbed lowland forest up to 300 m altitude. Sometimes present as
pre-disturbance remnant in secondary forests.
Uses
The ripe fruits are eaten raw or steamed. They have a rather acid taste.
Young fruits are sometimes pickeled and used for sambal. Young leaves are eaten
with rice. The timber is durable but only used for minor purposes.
Distribution
Thailand; Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, West Java and Borneo (East- and
South-Kalimantan).
